Program areas at City Mission of Schenectady
Residential Services seek to comprehensively meet the needs of the poor in a manner that dignifies and strengthens the individual, the family, and the community. Services include a 76-bed Men's Facility and a 37-bed Women's and Children's shelter. In addition to receiving shelter and clothing, residents may participate in the "Bridges to Freedom" discipleship and recovery program which includes life-skills training, vocational training, and numerous classes designed specifically to foster the journey from poverty to sustainability.
The Social Enterprise program at City Mission is comprised of our Salvage Operation and our Thrift Store. Our clothing donations are first brought to our Distribution Center (Neighbor 2 Neighbor Headquarters) where volunteers sort, organize and distribute donated clothing items. Our first priority with the clothing donations is to fill the Clothing Rooms to help people in need right away. After our Clothing Rooms are filled, we provide product to our Thrift Store, where the revenue will support the programs of City Mission. Finally, items not needed for the two purposes above are baled and recycled. By utilizing these options, we're able to maximize the impact of the clothing donations. This entire process provides job skill training for our residents and revenue to help support the ministries of City Mission.
The Nutritional Services team provides three meals a day to shelter residents and dinner meals for the community. Bagged meals are available 24/7 at the Men's Shelter. Good nutrition and learning success go hand in hand as evidenced by numerous studies indicating students who eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch are more successful learners than those who do not. The Food Services department has a goal of providing men, women, and children with healthy, well-balanced meals. Additionally, we strive to provide nutrition education to men, women, and children so that they are able to make healthy food choices throughout their lives. Our hydroponic container farm features a controlled environment that allows us to grow delicious produce 365 days a year. Currently our freight farm produces 700 heads of lettuce per week which is the foundation of our healthy salad options for those in need. Additionally City Mission has embarked on a greenhouse project to further help increase the volume of food we provide and expand healthy, fresh produce options.
Other Programs include health and wellness, community outreach, education, transitional housing, weekend backpack, property management, and volunteer programs.