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.