March 8, 2022 at 2:34 p.m.
ON A MISSION
ON A MISSION
City Mission staff, donors and supporters of the new apartments gathered on Lafayette Street to mark the building’s opening, which will provide supportive housing for victims of domestic abuse — women and their children — as they work toward their goals.
Father Bob Longobucco, pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Schenectady, and Deacon Gary Riggi, director of engagement at City Mission, joined in commemorating the new housing support for the city of Schenectady. The new building was made possible thanks to a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, which donated $1.7 million to support the construction of the building and fund the Wellness Center’s mental, emotional and spiritual components. Donations covered the rest of the $2 million project.
Riggi said in an email that it was Bishop Scharfenberger’s vision to find a place “to house women who were survivors of domestic abuse, a safe haven for them and their children. … The goal is for (the women) to work on their independence and have access to the necessary resources for support now and in the future.”
Bishop Scharfenberger got in touch with Mike Saccocio, executive director of City Mission, exploring any opportunities that they had. It was through the help and guidance of the Bishop and Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky, board member of the Cabrini Foundation, that the City Mission applied and received the grant to make the transitional housing a reality. Construction began in February 2021 and was completed in December. Saccocio spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony about how important this facility is to the city.
“This multi-purpose building is something to celebrate, but I think what we’re really celebrating is what happens when people work together and come around a common objective or cause that blesses people and builds people and builds community,” Saccocio said.
The 10-apartment building (seven two-bedroom and three one-bedroom) is intended for City Mission residents who are able to live on their own in a supportive environment. Located on the same block as City Mission, the apartments, which unofficially opened at the beginning of 2022, allow residents their own independence while maintaining proximity to the City Mission for additional support. The City Mission now has a total of 34 transitional housing units to go along with its 76-bed men’s shelter.
The center includes a facility workshop center, focusing on skills and vocational training, and a fitness center. David and Teresa Leon, co-chairs of the City Mission’s Cornerstone Project Capital Campaign and owners of several Planet Fitness franchises, donated the center’s gym equipment.
Deacon Riggi also leads the counseling center that is on-site for residents. The counseling center offers women a place for spiritual connection or refuge and includes a small chapel space for prayer. Bishop Scharfenberger, who toured the facility in December and offered a blessing, encouraged adding a chapel to the center. Deacon Riggi mentioned that the chapel has been a great help and that many residents have expressed feeling calmer just from its presence.
“We have an expression that sometimes the difference between a dream and a reality is having friends who care,” Saccocio said, “and what this is, is a celebration of friends of City Mission who made this possible.”
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