---

When Rev. Peter Young first founded the Peter Young Housing, Industry and Treatment Program (PYHIT) in 1959, he had no idea how successful it would one day be.

Fifty years later, the program is not only still alive, but it has expanded throughout New York State.

"People need it," said Father Young, a retired priest of the Albany Diocese. "I wouldn't be doing this if people didn't need it."

Recently, PYHIT celebrated its golden anniversary with a gathering at the New York State Legislative Office Building at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The program focuses on helping people who have been overcome by addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Many people also enter the program after being released from prison and lack the life skills to transition back into society. Participants in the program can not only receive help to stay clean and sober, but living assistance and a chance at employment.

Since its inception, PYHIT has grown into an empire, with 90 residential sites in Buffalo, Brooklyn, the Adirondacks and other areas of New York State.
To Father Young, the Beatitudes described in the Gospel of Matthew are the basis for his life's work.

"You see a need as a priest and respond," he stated. "It's the fifth chapter of Matthew. That's all I can tell you. "Being a priest is being the Beatitudes."

Having long-term success is no easy task, however. Like many industries and programs in today's economy, PYHIT is struggling financially. Father Young stressed the importance of getting the message out to the people for help.

"We need volunteers and we're losing millions of dollars," he said. "We have thousands of people knocking on our door that need help, and we also need the help now."

PYHIT is trying to get a boost through fundraising and promotion. The program will be sponsoring a number of fundraisers later this year, including one at the Saratoga National Golf Course in July.

Father Young also spends Wednesday evenings at the Schuyler Inn in Menands - which is operated by participants in the program - trying to recruit volunteers.

"It would be great if we could get the message out there for help," he told The Evangelist. "There are thousands of people out there who need to be helped. We have a lot of needs and we have a lot of things going on. We would love to see the people supporting our efforts."

For more information, visit the Peter Young Housing, Industry and Treatment Program website at www.pyhit.com.) [[In-content Ad]]

---