February 2026
We’re so glad to be providing you updates on all the wonderful things happening at St. Catherine’s Center for Children – all of which are made possible through “Friends of St. Catherine’s” – like you! Thank you for your support. We hope you enjoy our newsletter!
Children at Byron and Hubbard House, two homes within our Residential Program, had a blast creating their very own diamond art paintings! This activity was made possible by one of our incredible volunteers, Lisa. Activities such as these truly make a huge difference in the lives of those we serve. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, visit: www.st-cath.org/volunteer-program
“Feb, 1886 – A fearful epidemic of measles in our asylum. A little girl named Ellen Houlihan, having been admitted on the 15th day of Feb / 86, is supposed to have brought in the contagion …she had been subject to sore eyes. The poor child left us a legacy, by way of a reminder, for at the time she left, sixty of our children were down with the measles.”
These words, penned 140 years ago at St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum in Albany, marked the founding of the agency that would eventually become St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
The story truly begins even earlier in 1846, with the Daughters of Charity travelling to Albany to care for children at St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum, who had been orphaned as a result of the cholera epidemic. In 1886, with an outbreak of “sore eyes” among children living at the asylum, the attending physician advised separating the sick children, suffering the effects of a severe outbreak of measles, into another facility. The Diocese worked quickly. Father John Walsh learned from friends that the Schuyler Mansion, previously home to Major General Philip Schuyler, was for sale. The diocese purchased it in April for $7,000.
After repairs were made, the sisters and sick children moved into the Schuyler Mansion on May 25, 1886. Once the measles contagion passed, a new program for the very young orphaned or abandoned children came into being and was housed in the Mansion until 1914. It was given the name St. Francis De Sales Infant Asylum.
By 1911, New York State had taken over the historic Schuyler Mansion, and the program moved to its current location, 40 North Main Avenue in 1914. The new facility was built through the generosity of philanthropist Anthony N. Brady, which lead to the agency eventually becoming known as the Anthony N. Brady Maternity Hospital and Infant Home.
While the hospital and infant home operated under the direction of a single Board of Trustees, they were separate and distinct institutions. The Brady Infant Home cared for orphans and children (up to age six) whose families were unable to provide for them. The home had the capacity to care for up to 200 children at a time.
In 1951, the infant home received a new name to distinguish it from the Brady Hospital. It became St. Catherine’s Infant Home in honor of St. Catherine Labouré, a French Daughter of Charity. The focus of service at that time was residential care of children, from birth to age 6, and a child care technician program.
Brady Hospital closed after 51 years of service in 1966. In the aftermath, St. Catherine’s went through a period of evaluation and transformation. In 1971, the agency’s name was changed to St. Catherine’s Center for Children to more accurately reflect the range of services it provides to children and families, including a school, homeless and housing services, prevention programs, and other social services.
Today, St. Catherine’s Center for Children’s services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults. Our multi-service programs address issues of homelessness, child abuse and neglect, family instability, and special education, among others. St. Catherine’s willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of children and families throughout the region.
Indeed, adaptability and a willingness to embrace change are hallmarks of St. Catherine’s Center for Children. The Agency has continually evolved, offering new services and programs to meet the changing and contemporary needs of children, families, and adults it serves.
Michele Puleo O’Hare, Executive Director, SCCC Foundation
As we reflect on the recent holiday season, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to every one of you for the generosity, compassion, and support you shared. Because of you, children, families, and adults across 37 counties experienced hope, joy, and comfort through holiday gifts, parties, donations, and acts of kindness.
Your support made it possible to brighten countless holidays and meet real, immediate needs for those we serve. We are truly grateful for the time, resources, and care you continue to give so generously.
We are excited to share information about our upcoming Indoor Golf Tournament, which will benefit the R & E May School. The tournament will be held on Friday, February 27th, at Normanside Country Club. Participants will enjoy two hours of play, with the opportunity to stay throughout the day to cheer on fellow teams and enjoy the event. Funds raised will support important initiatives, including yearbooks for students, graduation celebrations, sensory items, and resources that enhance the educational and emotional experience of the children we serve.
We also look forward to one of our major fundraisers, our 16th Annual Spring Event: Casino Royale, taking place on Thursday, May 28th. Join us at Franklin Plaza in Troy, NY, for one of our most entertaining evenings of the year, featuring delicious food, an open bar, casino games, music, and great company. This year, we are honored to recognize Broadview Federal Credit Union, Alexander and Gina Tronco of Northwestern Mutual, the Albany and Troy Lions Club, and Gerald and Maryanne Gordon for their dedication, support, and time over the years to St. Catherine’s Center for Children and the community at large. To learn more about our upcoming fundraising events, visit our website at www.st-cath.org/upcoming-events.
As February brings Valentine’s Day, we are reminded that love comes in many forms. To our generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and valued collaborating partners, thank you for being the heart of our mission. Without you, we could not serve the children, families, and individuals who rely on us every day.
All the best,
Michele Puleo O’Hare Executive Director, Foundation of St. Catherine’s Center For Children
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Time Slots: 10:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M., 4:00 P.M.
Normanside Country Club | Delmar, NY
Kick off your golf season early by playing a simulator round at St. Andrews while benefitting a great cause! This exciting fundraiser brings together community partners and “Friends of St. Catherine’s” for a full day tournament to raise funds for our R & E May School. Registration ends on February 20th.
Normanside features five golf simulator bays which will run, simultaneously, throughout the day. Players will compete in a scramble format, completing nine holes at the world’s most renowned course, St. Andrews. Full hospitality is provided from open to close. Food and cocktails are available all day, and participants are welcome to stay and network before or after their assigned play window. Cost is $150 per golfer and includes food & cocktails (all day), gift bag, and prizes.
Funds raised will support our R & E May School, a special education program that serves elementary school students, from local school districts, who have behavioral, emotional, and educational needs that are not easily met in traditional school settings.
To learn more, click the button, right, or head over towww.st-cath.org/sim-golf today!
Honoring: Broadview Federal Credit Union, Northwestern Mutual’s Alexander & Gina Tronco, the Albany & Troy Lion’s Club, and Gerald & Maryanne Gordon.
Join us once again at Franklin Plaza in Troy, NY for our most entertaining night of the year!
Will your number hit on the roulette wheel? Can you beat the dealer to 21? Maybe you’ll make the pull of the night at our wine pull… Perhaps you’re looking forward to the music, delicious food and the company of great friends? Our event has it all and we can’t wait to see you there!
We’ve got so many gaming tables, you’ll think you’re in a real casino!
• Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette
All proceeds from your participation and sponsorship of this event directly support the 20+ human services programs offered by St. Catherine’s Center for Children.
To learn more, click above, or visit: www.st-cath.org/casino-royale
Includes (10) tickets, listed as major sponsor on all promo materials, listed as a major sponsor at entrance, logo and link on event page, full-page program ad with premium placement, name listed on invitation
Includes (8) tickets, listed at entrance, logo and link on event page, full-page program ad, name listed on invitation
Includes (4) tickets, name listed at entrance, logo and link on event page, half-page program ad, name listed on invitation
Includes (2) tickets, logo and link on event page, quarter-page program ad, name listed on invitation, honorary committee membership - couple
Includes (1) ticket, name listed on invitation, honorary committee membership - individual
Access360 is a program offered by St. Catherine’s Center for Children that works with individuals currently on Medicaid to improve their overall health and well-being. Our team works with clients to address the many social drivers of health that thus far have gone unmet. By providing assistance and connecting clients with essential services, we aim to improve their health and thus the health of the overall population. These services include care management, nutrition assistance, tenancy support and transportation to and from essential appointments.
Research shows that addressing social needs such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation improves health and lowers health care costs. According to the New York State Open Budget website, Medicaid spending accounts for 28% of the State’s operating funds with New York spending $37.7 billion of taxpayer funds. Programs like St. Catherine’s Access360 can help reduce that cost.
One of the reasons individuals, particularly those on Medicaid, do not receive necessary services is a lack of transportation. Access360 provides clients with transportation to important medical and mental health appointments, job interviews, housing appointments, and more. Additionally, homelessness and housing insecurity play a major role in declining health in low-income and impoverished individuals. Tenancy support services through Access360 can provide temporary, emergency assistance to clients to help cover rent, security deposits, utilities, and other costs related to tenancy. This support can keep individuals and families from being evicted and put out on the street.
Nutrition assistance services are also supported by Access360, including meal delivery, medically tailored meals, nutritional counseling and education, and more. Care managers facilitate communication and support clients through addressing multiple factors that influence health and can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
Access360 currently has a waiting list and is offered to residents on Medicaid who reside in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, or Schoharie County, and meet at least one criterion from screening. The goal of St. Catherine’s Access360 program is to provide individuals on Medicaid with resources to address social drivers of health before they reach a critical point.
To learn more about Access360, visit: www.st-cath.org/access360 or click the button.
“It’s a scary first step, but once you do it, it becomes a huge part of this person you didn’t know you could be. Even the hard times end up being good in the end. If you have that inkling in your mind to foster, it’s probably there for a reason.”
-Rebecca Goldstein, SCCC Foster Parent
The SCCC Foundation’s wishlist highlights meaningful ways to support the everyday needs of the children and families we serve.
• Body Wash
• Deodorant
• Disposable Washcloths
• Diapers (All Sizes)
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Nail Clippers
• Hand Sanitizer
• Kleenex
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Aldi
• Hannaford
• Toothbrush Hygiene Gift Cards
• Price Chopper
• Stewart’s
• Walmart Activities
• Spring & Summer Outfits (New)
• Sizing: Children 8 to Adult XXL
• Age-appropriate DVDs for children ages 9-12
• Backpacks
• School Supplies
*Please keep donations in their original packaging. We are unable to accept used items. For more information, visit: www.st-cath.org
For any questions or to arrange a donation drop off, please contact: Michele Puleo O'Hare: mpuleoohare@st-cath.org Clothing
Shout-out to our amazing volunteers from the Art School of Columbia County! Local artists gathered at the school to assemble collages for residents at the Galvan Civic Motel, a temporary housing unit which falls under St. Catherine’s Columbia County Homeless Services program, proven to help adults and families transition back into a stable life in the community after experiencing homelessness.
The project, “Every Layer Tells a Story, Every Hand Adds Hope,” encourages residents to express themselves through collaging. Each collage created serves as a foundation for them, given with a kit filled with materials to add to the collage to make it their own.
To learn more about St. Catherine’s Columbia County Homeless Services, visit:
