Transforming Neighborhoods

OVERVIEW

The Foundation has found an emerging role in helping to make Schenectady's neighborhoods healthier, safer and more livable. And recent investments in the community are paying off -- turning once blighted properties into healthy homes and recreational space for community members.

WHY IT MATTERS

The Foundation is stepping up its commitment to improving conditions in Schenectady neighborhoods, including health, safety, housing, employment and the urban environment. By removing or preventing blight, making more and better green space, addressing health disparities and stimulating economic activity, we can begin to reverse the negative trends we see in some parts of the City. 

The Foundation looks for these key elements in projects for our investment:

• Promote resident engagement and citizen leadership to catalyze and sustain community change efforts;
• Devise ways to gauge impact, and receive feedback from residents and stakeholders.
• Align and integrate resources and services to more comprehensively support residents;
• Create strategic and accountable partnerships that lead to lasting change;
• Build the capacity of organizations and programs leading neighborhood change efforts;
• Establish a results-orientation including measurable project outcomes;
• Effectively leverage public, private and philanthropic resources;

We believe a unique role for the Foundation is to engage and support resident involvement in the revitalization of their own neighborhood. We prioritize this in all projects we consider for funding.

WHAT WE'VE DONE 

The Foundation is leveraging its financial resources and reputation to enliven and improve Schenectady's neighborhoods. Here are some projects where we have helped:

Hamilton Hill 2

The revitalization of the Albany and Craig Streets corridor continued under the next phase of The Community Builders efforts to provide new affordable housing to families in Hamilton Hill.  "Hamilton Hill 2”,  eliminated blighted homes, rehabbed others, and repurposed older institutional buildings into new affordable apartments

“Hamilton Hill 2” was boosted from a $250,000 grant from The Schenectady Foundation to continue to clean up abandoned buildings, and create 85 new housing units, including mid-rise and low-rise apartments, and single family homes.  A new Laundromat was opened -- responding to an important need identified by neighborhood residents.

Colorful murals were added to the neighborhood by local artists.

Hillside View

The Hillside View Project has reshaped Craig St. in Hamilton Hill, and provided new, affordable housing opportunities for residents. Working with The Community Builders, Albany Barn, Metroplex and the Wright Family Foundation, our investment of $225,000 helped win $20 million in NYS tax credits, and will support the development of community maker-space and economic opportunities for people in the community.

Tribute Park

The Eastern Avenue park opened in 2017, behind the leadership of the Schenectady Land Bank. The Foundation invested $100,000 in Phase 2 of the new green space that includes a splash pad, as well as safe access to the Vale Park trails. The park brings much needed green and recreational space to the neighborhood. The splash pad is a hit with children!

Neighborhood Libraries

The Foundation invested in a break-through project to make the Bornt Branch Library a Family Place Library.  To qualify for the designation, the library developed new programs, and proactively reached out to the parents and caregivers in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a result, the Bornt Branch is a thriving hub for community resources, providing an inviting environment for families with young children in Central State and Hamilton Hill neighborhoods. 

The Foundation also made another investment in strengthening neighborhood libraries as critical community resources by committing $150,000 to develop the new Mont Pleasant branch, and removing blighted properties in the neighborhood and to make Orchard Park safe and accessible.