Category Archives: Non-Profit

By Jennifer Farnsworth

It has been a little over 40 years since a group of concerned adults and teens sat around a kitchen table in Clifton Park, putting together the pieces that would eventually form a human services program that has since transformed the lives of teens all over Saratoga County.

CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services supports youth, adults and families, giving them to tools be become self-sufficient and successful in life.

Sue Catroppa, executive director, said over the past 40 years they have grown into a $2.8 million organization with 65 full- and part-time employees, and between 300 and 400 volunteers. As a result of their continuing growth, CAPTAIN is in the final stages of a merger with Community Human Services (CHA), a 41-year-old agency located in Glenville.

Catroppa said CHS provides services that complement CAPTAIN’s.

“It is truly a good merger, and a great match,” said Catroppa.

Catroppa said CHS provides services to senior citizens and provides social services to the Burnt Hills school district, allowing CAPTAIN to expand its programs geographically. The merger was approved by the state and is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

By Jill Nagy

Taylor’s Heroes, a fitness and nutrition program for young people ages 8 to 18, has openings for new members when its next session begins Jan. 11. The program, which includes exercise classes, sports participation, and nutrition advice over 14 weeks, is free.

The current group will have a graduate celebration—a healthy dinner at the Hampton Inn in Saratoga—on Dec. 14.

The program is named in honor of David Taylor Miller, a U.S. Army Pfc. and Saratoga Hills High School graduate who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, at the age of 19. Miller, formerly an obese child, whipped himself into shape with a program of diet and exercise before joining the Army.

The organization was founded by his mother and aunt and is run entirely by volunteers.

The two main aspects of the program are group exercise and instruction on nutrition, including tips on shopping for and preparing healthy foods. A nutrition expert is available to work with individual parents, helping them plan menus and prepare alternative snacks. The children also do some cooking.

“We are trying to work more with parents,” said organization president Leslie Miller. “It is hard for kids to choose healthy snacks when they don’t find them in the refrigerator.”

Wellspring, the Saratoga County-based domestic violence and sexual assault services resource, won a $15,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation after placing fifth among almost 200 domestic violence organizations across the country in the Purple Purse Challenge. 

This marks the second prize won by the organization during the month-long challenge.  Wellspring also finished the first week of the challenge in the top five, winning an additional $10,000 challenge gift.

Wellspring was one of 20 organizations nationally to earn a grant competing against other domestic violence nonprofits with an operating budget of less than $1.75 million. 

In total, Wellspring raised more than $51,000. Officials said they will use the money to support a comprehensive approach to helping victims of domestic violence, providing services such as shelter, a 24-hour hotline, counseling, and legal advocacy. 

The funds will also help expand the programs that focus on prevention, issue awareness and social change, such as partnerships with local schools and law enforcement.