TURN OF EVENTS

In an unanticipated turn of events, Shelters of Saratoga – one of the two entities that was in the running to operate a proposed low-barrier homeless shelter within the former Saratoga Senior Center adjacent to Saratoga Central Catholic School – announced it will no longer pursue a proposal at that site.

“We value your trust in us as a homeless services provider in the greater Saratoga area. After hearing the concerns of the community, we've decided not to move forward with a shelter at 5 Williams Street. We have identified a more viable location to operate Code Blue and will make an announcement in the near future,” Shelters of Saratoga announced in a statement shared on social media on Friday, Feb. 3. This is the second failed attempt by Shelters to operate a code blue shelter within Saratoga Springs. “Code blue” is activated when the temperature falls below 32 degrees or when more than 12 inches of snow is predicted. In 2018, the proposal by Shelters was rejected by the courts due to a lack of the appropriateness in zoning for the facility.

Dr. Giovanni Virgiglio, diocesan superintendent of schools, said earlier that Friday that the proposal, led by the City of Saratoga Springs, was “fundamentally flawed” and the safety of students “was our top priority.”

"The proposed City-led shelter proposal is a serious issue for the City's administration and the Saratoga Springs community as a whole; however, the placement of such a facility near our school is fundamentally flawed. These were concerns we brought directly to (Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim) – concerns over school safety, explanation of shelter operations, and what assurances on city resources will mitigate all impacts to our school.”

“Asking school parents and administrators — Catholic school parents and administrators at that — to reconcile the proposed location of a low-barrier shelter is not only unfair, it’s unacceptable. When considering the care and concern for both vulnerable populations, the welfare of our children and students must take precedence. Their safety is already our top priority, and we cannot stand for anything, no matter how well-intentioned, that may put their safety in question. Therefore, we must vigorously oppose the city’s proposal as it stands today."

The city may still consider another proposal by RISE Healthy Housing and Support Services, a human services provider also within the Spa city.

"The safety and well-being of the students and our community remains a top priority and will always guide our decision-making. Concurrently, we must remain steadfast – in the midst of rumors about the proposal (and to emphasize here, remains a proposal – no leases have been signed, no proposals have been approved, and no location has been finalized) – that supporting and caring for the neediest and most vulnerable among us is a cornerstone to our faith and what we believe and teach as a Church. We must always recognize that those who need shelter are our brothers and sisters, they are made in the Lord’s image just as each of us – this should guide our advocacy and efforts to bring resolution."

It was reported in multiple outlets on Feb. 6 that the reason Shelters of Saratoga withdrew its proposal was because Duane Winters, executive director of Shelters of Saratoga, said he and his family were subject to threats of violence and lawsuits. Virgiglio condemned the threats as "absolutely abhorrent."

"The reported threats of physical violence and antagonistic behavior toward the staff of Shelters of Saratoga are absolutely abhorrent and we condemn these actions," Virgiglio said in a statement late Monday, Feb. 6. "Certainly, our position to respectfully oppose the siting of a low-barrier shelter on a property abutting a school stems namely out of concern for the well-being of our students. Nevertheless, our faith community strongly supports a safe and well-placed facility and we pray a suitable location will be quickly identified. We trust that all parties involved, ourselves included, will identify a solution for everyone impacted to reduce the flames of division that have been unfortunately sown by some.“

A discussion with Kim is still scheduled with the SCC community on Thursday, Feb. 16, in which Virgiglio says the time and location have yet to be determined. The Saratoga Springs City Council is to meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in which this topic will certainly come up.

Parents and supporters of the SCC community were not questioning the need for the shelter, just the location. A petition on change.org titled “Saratoga Homeless Shelter Should Not Be Built Next To A School - Safety for SCC Students” and started by the “Saratoga Central Catholic Community” has garnered over 1,500 signatures.

The homeless shelter was to take over the building that now houses the Saratoga Senior Center and which backs up to SCC’s sports fields. On Jan. 27, Virgiglio and SCC Principal Christopher Signor, Board of Trustees Chair Sandra Blanchard, Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Michael Kondratowitz, and Associate Superintendent of Schools Christopher Bott had their first meeting with Kim, Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino, and Deputy Mayor Angela Rella to get a true understanding of the city’s plan.