June 2025
SUMMER DONATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT: While our team is out during the warmer months, we want to make sure we’re available to receive your donations. If you plan to drop off items, please give Michele Puleo O’Hare a call at (518) 817-6804.
Kids’ Corner
Siena College Baseball Game
Children in our Residential Program had a great time attending a Siena baseball game! Not only were they able to watch a live game, they were also given t-shirts, foam fingers, pizza, and beverages! A huge thank you to Siena College Athetics for this incredible donation.
Photos by Gabbie Albrecht from Gabrielle Martha Creative.
Upcoming Events
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming fundraising event, the 7th Annual Dr. Arthur J. Wallingford Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by The Sirco Family Foundation! The Wallingford family has been involved with St. Catherine’s for decades and we are delighted to honor Dr. Wallingford. By getting involved in fundraisers like these, you are supporting the critical work St. Catherine’s has performed for nearly 140 years. It’s because of this support that we can offer a range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of underserved children, families, and adults.These programs include homeless and supportive housing services, therapeutic residential programming, a foster care program, the R & E May School, and community-based outreach that provide support throughout the Capital Region and beyond.
Without our supporters, this wonderful day of fun, friends, and fundraising would not be possible! To our returning sponsors, thank you for continuing to believe in the mission and vision of St. Catherine’s. To our new sponsors this year, welcome! We are excited to have you on board and we hope your love and passion for St. Catherine’s will grow year after year.
For more information about this event, including levels of sponsorships available, contact Michele Puleo O’Hare at (518) 410-5941, visit www.st-cath.org/golf/ or click below!
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Farrell
SCCC Foundation Board of Trustees
President
Monica Marini
SCCC Foundation Board of Trustees Vice President
Event Recaps
Spring Fundraising Event: Casino Royale
Our Spring Fundraising event was an overwhelming success! We want to extend a huge thank you to all who attended and played a vital role in making it a night to remember.
We also want to recognize the contributions of our honorees: Sunmark CEO Jerilee Beaudoin, Mark Ustin of Farrell Fritz, P.C., and Melissa and Richard Carrier of Total Events.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who attended. Your presence and support have made an incredible impact on our cause!
518 Day of Giving
A huge shout-out to all the volunteers who generously dedicated their time to beautify the outside of our Marillac Family Shelter on 518 Day of Giving!
Fidelis Care and M&T Bank worked their magic outside, transforming the area with meticulous weeding, trash clean up, and a vibrant display of flowers throughout the premises!
Thank you to all involved who made this 518 Day of Giving such a success!
Executive Corner
Michele Puleo O’Hare, Executive Director, SCCC Foundation
Dear Friends,
As the Executive Director of St. Catherine’s Center for Children, I am privileged to witness, firsthand, our organization’s unique and transformative impact on the lives of vulnerable children, individuals, and families we serve. Unlike any other, St. Catherine’s has been a steadfast beacon of hope, providing essential services and support to those facing some of life’s most daunting challenges.
Our mission is rooted in a legacy of compassion, integrity, and advocacy. We offer a comprehensive range of programs tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual we serve. These programs include foster care, family, support, mental health counseling, and educational services. Each initiative is designed with one goal in mind to nurture and uplift children and families, helping them realize their full potential.
The heart and soul of our agency are the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to create a nurturing and inclusive environment. Their unwavering commitment ensures that every child and family receive the care, guidance, and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether providing a safe and loving home for a child in foster care, counseling a family in crisis, or supporting a child’s educational journey, our team is there every step of the way.
However, we cannot do this alone. The breadth and depth of our services are made possible through the generous support of individuals like you. Your donations are not just crucial, they are the very foundation that enables us to continue our work and expand our reach. By contributing to St. Catherine’s Center for Children, you are not just making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families in our community, you are becoming an integral part of our mission.
As we look to the future, our commitment to our mission remains stronger than ever. But to sustain and grow our programs, we need your help. I am reaching out to you today to ask for your direct and immediate support. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant difference. Your generosity ensures that we can continue to provide the highest level of care and support to those who need it most.
Please consider donating today. Together, we can create a brighter future for all the children, individuals, and families that St. Catherine’s Center for Children serves. Thank you for your continued support of our mission.
With gratitude, Executive
Director
Foundation of St. Catherine’s Center for Children
In The News
St. Catherine’s Receives Two Awards for Programming Excellence
In the past several weeks, St. Catherine’s Center for Children has been honored twice for excellence in programming. Most recently, the New York State Parent Teacher Association recognized St. Catherine’s Lansingburgh Connects program (pictured right) with their Community Service Award at the Lansingburgh PTA Council’s annual Founder’s Day event. Just a couple of weeks prior, St. Catherine’s Access & Visitation program was awarded the Hon. Anthony V. Cardona Award (pictured bottom left) by the Friends of Albany Children’s Center at its annual event.
“We are humbled by the recognition of these organizations for the work we perform on behalf of local children and families,” said St. Catherine’s Deputy Executive Director Brian Perotto. “We are so proud of our team members in both programs.”
A shared Initiative with the Lansingburgh School District and Rensselaer County Mental Health, Lansingburgh Connects is a no-cost program that links students and their families to vital mental health and social supports needed to improve their overall health and well-being with the end goal of boosting academic performance.
“I truly congratulate St. Catherine’s Center for Children’s Lansingburgh Connects program for its commitment and dedication to the children and families in their community,” offered Patricia Frazier, NYS PTA president. “Each day, this program measures its mission to serve. It is community partners like St. Catherine’s that makes student and family success and support possible. Congratulations on the critical work you perform each day to make every child’s potential a reality, and on this prestigious award!”
St. Catherine’s Access & Visitation program, in conjunction with the New York State Unified Court System and Albany County Family Court, provides a safe environment for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children under the supervision of dedicated staff. St. Catherine’s was nominated for the Hon. Anthony V. Cardona Award by Family Court Judge Susan Kushner. The award is presented to organizations and individuals who exemplify the values held dear by Judge Cardona, including: integrity, service, and commitment to justice.
“St. Catherine’s was an easy choice to receive the Cardona Award,” said Hon. Susan M. Kushner. “St. Catherine’s exemplifies, through its services and support to children and families, the principles that Judge Cardona stood for throughout his extraordinary service on the bench. St. Catherine’s has been a true partner to Albany County Family Court’s initiatives, including its supervised parenting visitation program.”
Ways To Give
LEAVE A LEGACY
• SUPPORTS GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN
• CAN BE USED TO FINALIZE ESTATE PLANS
• LEGAL THROUGHOUT THE U.S.
• IT’S FREE!
At St. Catherine’s, care can come in the smallest of ways—and still mean everything.
At the R&E May School, a young student recently tried on a compression vest for the first time. He paused for a moment, then looked up and said, “This is nice. It feels like my mom’s hug.”
He wasn’t alone. Across the classroom, other students were curling into sensory body socks and gently zipping weighted vests. Another said, “I feel so quiet.”
Thanks to several small grants, students at St. Catherine’s can access sensory equipment that helps them feel safe and calm during their school day. These moments speak to the heart of our mission: helping children feel safe, supported, and seen.
And while we work every day to care for our community, we also want to help you care for yours.
This spring, we’re sharing a free tool from our partner, FreeWill, that helps you create your will in just 20 minutes no matter your life-stage or wealth. If you have kids, pets, or just people you care about, a will gives you the power to make clear decisions for the future like who would care for your children and how your assets would be shared.
It’s not just a plan. It’s an act of care for those closest to you.
Please reach out with any questions, and thank you for your continued support!
All the best,
Gift commitments must be confirmed in writing, and are subject to some restrictions, to qualify for membership in St. Catherine’s Brady Legacy Circle.
Volunteer Spotlight
STEM Workshops at R & E May School
One of our incredible volunteers in our Compassionate Hearts Volunteer Program, Aabidah, has begun leading STEM workshops to students at our R & E May School!
In this lesson, Aabidah assisted Ms. Wren in the school’s Nature Nook, demonstrating why our bodies sweat. Following the presentation, each student conducted an experiment, standing in front of a fan with one wet hand and one dry hand. This allowed students to feel how “sweat” physically cools the body down!
Yoga in the Residential Program
Children in our Residential program had a great time participating in a dance and yoga class led by one of our volunteers, Pallavi!
Interested in volunteering? Click below to start your journey today!
