TROY >> Two local community service organizations have been chosen to benefit for a full year from the efforts of a group of area businesswomen.
The Capital Region Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Council has “adopted” the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center and the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region for 2017 and 2018, respectively, according to a news release from the chamber. Throughout each year, the council will collaborate with the organizations to raise awareness about their programs and services, as well as money to support those efforts, at all of its programs, as well as its annual holiday fundraiser in December.
With locations in Albany, Troy and Watervliet, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center provides primary medical, dental and behavioral health care to some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Capital Region communities. The YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, located in downtown Troy, meanwhile, is one of the area’s largest providers of supportive housing for both homeless single women and women with children.
“We’re very grateful,” said Daquetta Jones, executive director of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, of the council’s designation. “We know that this opportunity is going to help us move our mission forward. … We believe in the work that the Women’s Business Council is providing with the Capital Region chamber. We’re happy to be members and happy that they have such a platform to really showcase the amazing work that not-for-profits are doing in the Capital Region.”
The nonprofits were chosen from a large pool of applicants. Recipients must be chamber members in good standing for five years or more, and a representative must regularly attend Women’s Business Council programs throughout the year.
Since its inception in 2002, the Women’s Business Council’s Adopted Nonprofit Program has raised more than $50,000 for local nonprofits and has helped raise awareness about organizations in the region. The program began as a means to provide volunteer opportunities for members, but proved to be such a rewarding experience for both council members and the nonprofits that the initiative continued.
“The WBC membership mobilized behind our mission in many impactful ways when we were the adopted nonprofit in 2015,” said Tracy Pitcher, executive director of St. Paul’s Center in Rensselaer, in a news release. “The monthly raffles and the holiday party were effective in raising funds, but really, the benefits go beyond that. The longer-lasting impact came by way of board member recruitment, ongoing committee participation and increasing awareness. Speaking at each WBC program and participating in shelter activities brought to life the impact of homelessness, and, most importantly, each member understands the impact one person can make in changing the life of a homeless family.”
The Women’s Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber promotes the full participation and leadership of women at all levels in the workplace, the community and government. The organization develops programs that provide opportunities for women to learn and network as well as share their expertise with each other and to address the unique issues of women in business.
