March 2025
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!
Kids’ Corner
R & E May School MiSci Museum Visit
Students at our R & E May School had a blast at the MiSci Museum of Innovation & Science in Schenectady!
They explored a variety of hands-on activities throughout the museum, and the planetarium show was a favorite for many.
A special thank you to Mrs. Desiree and Mrs. Shannon for their incredible dedication! They kept the children engaged and explained the thought process behind each activity, enhancing the educational value and making the experience truly enriching for the students.
Executive Corner
Michele Puleo O’Hare, Executive Director, SCCC Foundation
Dear Friends,
At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we stand alongside those vulnerable members of our community facing some of life’s greatest hardships — children healing from trauma, families struggling to stay together, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Through our Children’s Residential School, Homeless Services, Prevention Programs, and Community-Based Support, we offer hope and provide stability to those who need it most.
But we cannot do this alone. We need you!
Your generosity—whether through a financial donation, an in-kind gift, or a corporate matching program—has the power to change lives. Your support ensures that a child in our care receives the therapy they need to heal, a family finds stable housing, and individuals experiencing crisis can rebuild their lives.
Now, more than ever, we need your help. The need is urgent, and every dollar makes a difference. Please consider making a gift today.
Visit www.st-cath.org to donate now.
You make hope possible. Thank you for standing with us and making a difference in the lives of the children, families, and adults who turn to us in times of need.
With gratitude,
Program Spotlight
Lansingburgh Connects
Event Recaps
7th Annual Graham Patrick Nieminski Tournament
A huge thank you to Love Graham for choosing St. Catherine’s as the beneficiary for the 7th Annual Graham Patrick Nieminski Tournament!
Through the fundraiser, over $2,600 was raised for St. Catherine’s programs!
Thank you so much to all who participated, and congratulations to the winning team (pictured right) from our R & E May School!
Our Lansingburgh Connects program was recently nominated by the Lansingburgh Central School District for the New York State Office of Mental Health’s “What’s Great in Our State” award. This nomination recognizes the program’s positive impact on children and families, as well as its valuable support to school staff in meeting student and family needs.
Lansingburgh Connects links students and their families to vital mental health and social supports needed to bolster student educational achievement and improve health and well-being. This program is provided at no cost and is available to all families within the school district.
Last year, the program assisted 285 students, and staff made 1,173 total referrals for mental health services and health-related social needs. We are serving 200% more children and families than projected, highlighting the continued need for mental health and social support services.
Donor, Volunteers Appreciation
St. Catherine’s hosted its annual Donor, Volunteers, and Collaborating Partners Appreciation Event!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for everything our supporters do for us. Their time, talent, and generosity brings hope and makes a profound difference in the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve.
Ways To Give
LEAVE A LEGACY
• SUPPORTS GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN
Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take when planning for the future. Yet, many people put it off, thinking they don’t need one or that it can wait. The truth is, having a will is not just for the wealthy—it’s for everyone who wants to ensure their wishes are respected and their loved ones are cared for.
A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets—your money, property, and personal belongings— distributed after your passing. One of the most important ways to support St. Catherine’s Center for Children is by creating your legacy in your will or Revocable Living Trust. It is a gift that costs nothing today, but ensures St. Catherine’s can support generations of happy memories for children.
Creating a will doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We invite you to use FreeWill, a free, online tool that guides you through the process of creating your will in just 20 minutes. It’s free, no matter what, and can be used with an attorney to finalize your estate plans.
The Brady Legacy Circle
Our Brady Legacy Circle honors Anthony N. Brady, who in 1912 financed the building of Brady Maternity Hospital and the adjacent building at 40 N. Main Ave. that is home to St. Catherine’s Center for Children today.
Legacy Giving can take on many forms. Here are just a few possibilities:
• A bequest provision for St. Catherine’s Center for Children in your will or revocable trust
• A life income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, that names St. Catherine’s remainder beneficiary
• A gift of assignment or qualified plan assets, such as IRA, 401(k), or 403(b)
Gift commitments must be confirmed in writing, and are subject to some restrictions, to qualify for membership in St. Catherine’s Brady Legacy Circle.
Grants
Within the last few months, St. Catherine’s Center for Children has been awarded a variety of grants to support our services and programs.
To purchase a workshop and storage space for equipment and supplies for our Homeless Services, R & E May School, Residential program, and maintenance department, St. Catherine’s was awarded a $4,450 grant from The Michaelson Family Fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
In addition, our Residential program was awarded a $7,500 grant from The John D. Picotte Family Foundation to support our arts education and youth wellness programming.
St. Catherine’s Residential program serves children, ages five to 13, who have been removed from the care of their parents or legal guardians and require 24-hour supervised care in a therapeutic environment. These funds will enable children and youth to experience workshops on art, gardening, photography, and music, increasing opportunities for youth interested in exploring other artistic and creative courses.
The Albany County Bar Foundation (pictured above) awarded St. Catherine’s a $6,000 grant in support of our Access and Visitation program.This program offers supervised visitation in a safe and supportive space for a non-custodial parent to visit with their child. These funds will allow St. Catherine’s to continue its support of at-risk families by providing them with the tools and resources needed to maintain healthy and functional home environments. We cannot thank these organizations enough for providing essential funding to help us serve adults, children, and families in need!
Donations
Broadview Federal Credit Union
Shout-out to Broadview Federal Credit Union for their generous donation to the Foundation of St. Catherine’s Center for Children, directly supporting families we serve in our Marillac Family Shelter!
As holiday donations dwindle and pantry shelves empty amid rising demand, Broadview’s contribution provides essential funding to help us serve families in need. Thank you Broadview for your continuous support!
Our donors help support activities that provide children with happy memories that will last a lifetime.
DONATIONS WISH LIST Benefitting:
Baby Items
• Baby Wipes
• Infant Diapers (Newborn & Larger Sizes)
Ethnic-Specific
• Shampoo & Conditioner (for curly/coarse hair)
• Leave-in Conditioner & Hair Oils (Cantu, Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter)
• Edge Control & Styling Gel
• Wide-Tooth Combs
• Detangling Brushes
• Bonnets
• Durags
• Silk/Satin Pillowcases
• Shea Butter Lotion
Family Needs & Activities
• Bubble Fidget Toys
• Hot Wheels
• Outdoor Toys
• Outdoor Games
• Crayons
• Coloring Books
• Bubbles
• Play-Doh
• Board Games
• Card Games
*Please keep donations in their original packaging. We are unable to accept used items. For more information, visit: www.st-cath.org.
• Body Wash & Bar Soap
• Deodorant
• Disposable Razors
• Shaving Cream Non-Ethnic Specific
• Mouthwash (Alcohol-Free Preferred)
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Lotion
• Aldi
• BJ’s
• Gas Cards
• Hannaford
• Price Chopper Gift Cards
Household Items
• Bathroom/All Purpose Cleaners,
• Clorox Mopping Cloths/Wipes
• Paper Towels
• Laundry Detergent
• Standard-size Pillows
• Swiffer Dust Cloth Refills
• Sam’s Club
• Shop ‘n’ Save
• Stewart’s
• Target
• Wal-Mart
• Swiffer Wet Cloth Refills
• Twin/Queen Mattress Pads
• Twin/Queen Mattress Protectors
• (Zippered) Ziplock Bags (Snack, Sandwich & Quart Size)
• Zippered Pillow Protectors
For any questions or to arrange delivery, please contact:
Michele O'Hare: mpuleoohare@st-cath.org or Dori O'Neal: doneal@st-cath.org
Volunteer Spotlight
Valentine’s Day Goodie Bags
Shout-out to the generous folks in Christ The King Church’s Youth Ministry Group for choosing St. Catherine’s for the second year in a row for their volunteer project!
Each goodie bag included a handmade card, snack, and juice box, to be given to children in our Residential program.
“Cloud Dough” Craft
Warren, Washington, and Albany ARC
A heartfelt thank you to our friends at Warren, Washington & Albany Counties ARC for volunteering their time to help with our Foundation’s recent mail appeal!
We are beyond grateful for this incredible partnership.
A big thank you to one of our volunteers, Caitlyn, for leading a “Cloud Dough” craft project with children in our Residential Program!
Similar to slime but less messy, cloud dough is made by combining lotion, cornstarch, and food coloring.
Interested in volunteering? Click the button to start your journey today!