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Capital District YMCA
Administrative Offices:
465 New Karner Road
Albany, New York 12205
518-869-3500
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 Testimonials
Testimonial : The YMCA…Building Strong Families
Fortunately, Karen Vitagliano and her son were not at home when their house burnt to the ground in November. When the staff at the Guilderland YMCA heard about her tragedy they immediately pulled together with the members and started a collection of clothes, toys and household items for Karen and Nikolas.
Karen is a single parent who works hard to support herself and her son with her wages from her own full time job. The YMCA stepped in and offered the family financial assistance for their membership through the Access program.
Karen is now able to workout, meet new friends and re-establish her life. Nikolas can participate in the youth basketball program on Saturdays and the sports camps during the school holiday break.
Karen was so overwhelmed with the love and support that she received from the Guilderland YMCA members and staff , she was often brought to tears by everyone’s generosity.
In the weeks following the fire, Karen has been able to obtain an apartment and begin rebuilding a home life with her family. She is very, very grateful to the Reach Out For Youth / Access program for helping her to give her son a normal and happy life while they recuperate from this tragedy.
Testimonial : The YMCA…building strong communities.
Joining us at our Reach Out for Youth kick-off celebration was very special guest. His name? Tom Person. His story? Remarkable.
Tom Person is a member of the Albany YMCA. He plays pick-up basketball a few times a week. One day in October, a day shy of his 56 birthday, Tom, suffered a heart attack and his heart stopped beating.
With the help of friends and YMCA staff, Scott Lewis and Kate Voce, Tom was given CPR and the AED was utilized. Tom survived; celebrated his 56 birthday with heart catheterization procedure, followed by life saving 5-way bypass surgery a day or two later.
It’s an amazing testament, but the story does not end. His friends got together to celebrate Tom’s “re-birthday” event and to honor those who lent a hand that fateful day in October. Instead of presents Tom expressed an important wish. Rather than bringing gifts for him, it was Tom’s desire to have everyone consider making a contribution to our Reach Out For Youth Campaign.
You see, Tom and Elaine have raised 19 children. One of their own, 8 adopted, and 10 long-term foster kids. He knows the importance of making a YMCA accessible to everyone in his community.
Friends, as well as Tom and his wife Elaine, have presented the Reach Out For Youth Campaign with $2004.
A remarkable story. A remarkable guy. A remarkable gesture on the part of his friends and himself.
Testimonial : The YMCA…making a difference!
Often times a concerned teacher, tutor or an administrator at a local school will ask the YMCA to consider a
deserving child for a scholarship. Recently, a volunteer reading tutor for a Scotia area elementary school called on the Executive Director of the Parkside Family YMCA and inquired about the summer day camp program.
They discussed two children from a single parent family of low income who were clearly in need of some financial assistance. Executive
Director, John Reilly called the mom. She had never considered asking for financial help, but was nevertheless thrilled at the idea of her boys being able to go to a summer camp. She was equally relieved to know that her kids would be in a structured, supervised environment while she was at work.
The boys, a little scared, not knowing what to expect, arrived at camp, but quickly connected with their counselor who took special care making sure they adjusted and were having fun. John followed up with the mom, who recounted excited dinner table discussions of the foursquare court, a roller-skating party, their adventures while hiking and the trip to the lake. As the end of summer arrived, the boys were sad to see it all come to an end. And the mom said you couldn't imagine the excitement when they learned their membership privileges allowed them to use the Y all year long!
Thanks to the efforts of one volunteer, and to the existence of the Reach Out For Youth program, two boys were able to
enjoy their summer, continue their involvement at the YMCA and have an experience that lasts a lifetime!
Testimonial : The YMCA…Building Strong Kids
Julie lives in a mobile home park in Clifton Park. The phrase - “not working to her fullest ability” was used often on the school reports she brought home. She struggled with grades, and fitting in at school. Staff members at the CAPTAIN program in mobile home park asked if she was interested in going to YMCA Camp Chingachgook. She had gone on a school day trip once and thought it might be a fun escape from a boring summer.
Julie was surprised at many things during her stay at Camp. She had to share a cabin with 12 other girls! She had chores to do! She had to sit with a big group at every mealtime! Julie was also being FORCED to have FUN. Canoeing, archery, swimming, drama, sailing, beach, jam parties…and the big dance! Julie found out she fit in and she was good at all this stuff!
The adventure Julie remembers the most of all in a note she wrote to Executive Director George Painter…recalls the hardest thing she has ever tried. She had to complete a three-day hike up Buck Mountain, sleeping in a tent and climbing to the summit. “ I’ve never pushed myself so much. It was by far the hardest thing I ever did. More than once, I almost gave up, but the counselor talked me into keep trying”. Julie made it to the summit, and learned a valuable lesson…success was something you have to make for yourself!
Testimonial : The YMCA…Building Strong Kids
A single mom, Linda, came to us after losing her job with New York State. She had been working full-time for the past 20 years. The week before, her
supervisor came into the department and told the staff that the department was being disbanded and everyone had lost their job. At the same time, her grandson was a patient at the New York City Children’s Hospital awaiting a liver transplant. She needed to travel to New York frequently to be with the family, which prohibited her from getting a good job. These hardships forced Linda to come to the Y asking for help with childcare payments for her child. “I was desperate for some help with my childcare situation, just temporarily, until I could secure another job!” explained Linda.
After her grandson came home, much improved, she came in to let us know how the family was doing. She thanked the Y for everything they did for her and continues to do for them. During the “Running Start
program”, where clothes and backpacks are offered to kids in need, she volunteered to take children shopping. Linda wanted to give back; not only did she
volunteer her time, but she also brought her son, sowing the seeds for a
future caring member of the community!
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