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JCTOD OUTREACH INC D/B/A JOHNSON PARK CENTER
UTICA, NY · EIN 161498400 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE L41 · Housing & Shelter · Medium ($1M-$10M) · johnsonparkcenter.org
revenue
$3.5M
expenses
$2.2M
net assets
$8.8M
employees
50
volunteers
254
program ratio
93%
mission · from form 990

TO ESTABLISH AND INSTITUTE PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS IN THE INNER CITY AREAS INCLUDING THE PROVIDING OF HOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Johnson Park Center, based in Utica, NY, provides permanent supportive housing and comprehensive services for homeless women, families, and individuals with mental health or substance abuse challenges. The organization operates emergency shelters, transitional housing, and food distribution programs while offering life coaching, workforce development, and youth enrichment activities to promote self-sufficiency and community revitalization in the inner city.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $81K
    FOOD DISTRIBUTION: IN OUR INNER-CITY COMMUNITY, MANY RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY, AND THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR ACCESS TO BASIC FOOD SUPPLIES TO PREPARE NUTRITIOUS MEALS. MANY OF OUR CLIENTS ARE THE "WORKING POOR," JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. BY FIGHTING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY, WE PROVIDE A STEPPING STONE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. 3,502 CHILDREN RECEIVED MEALS FROM THE FOOD PROGRAM. IN THE SHELTER, 3,752 ADULTS WERE FED THREE TIMES A DAY, TOTALING 11,256 MEALS. THE FOOD PANTRY SERVED A TOTAL OF 24,501 HOUSEHOLDS WITH 31,763 ADULTS, 39,144 CHILDREN AND 6,177 ELDERLY MEMBERS. IN TOTAL A GRAND TOTAL OF 77,084 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED. TOTAL NUMBERS OF MEALS PROVIDED BY HANDING OUT DRY AND CANNED FOOD ARE 1,156,260.IN SEPTEMBER 2024, THE FOOD PANTRY WAS MOVED TO THE JPG COMMUNITY CENTER AT 1415 WEST STREET.
  2. #2 $1.78M
    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: THE JOHNSON PARK COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROVIDES A PLACE WHERE HOMELESS/ CHRONICALLY HOMELESS WOMEN, TRADITIONAL AND NON- TRADITIONAL FAMILIES CAN GET A NEW START. WE OFFER EMERGENCY AND PERMENANT SUPPORTIVE LOW-INCOME HOUSING SERVICES FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS, WITH AN 12 BED HOMELESS SHELTER AND 33 HOUSING UNITS CONSISTING OF 1 TO 4 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. WE WORK WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM BECOME STABILIZED, MANTAIN HOUSING, COMPLETE THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS, REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILY AND PROVIDE EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE, AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. THE END GOAL IS TO HELP THESE INVIDUALS BECOME A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE 2ND CHANCE SERVICES FOR WOMEN, LIFE COACHING, MENTORING, ADVOCACY & MONITORING.DURING 2024 THE PROGRAM PROVIDED HOUSING AND SECOND CHANCE SERVICES FOR 315 PEOPLE.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Emergency Family Shelter
12-18 bed shelter providing emergency housing for traditional and non-traditional families referred by Oneida County Department of Social Services
Food Pantry
Food distribution program serving low-income households, working poor families, and children; member agency of Food Bank of Central New York and official Youth Feeding Site under CACFP
Johnson Park Apartments (JPA)
Permanent supportive housing program offering 33 units across five sites (JPA I-V) for chronically homeless women and low-income families, including LEED-certified green housing
Leadership Development Training
Youth leadership initiative (Youth Voice Initiative) training young people ages 9-14 to be positive role models and community leaders
Second Chance Program
Workforce development and reentry program in partnership with Oneida County Workforce Investment Board offering mentoring, life coaching, and employment support for ex-offenders
Youth Enrichment Center
Year-round program offering recreation, education, life skills training, literacy support, and healthy meals/snacks for neighborhood youth
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
    • Community garden and nutrition education
      Operates the Let’s Grow Community Garden at multiple locations to teach youth and adults how to plant and grow fruits and vegetables, promoting hands-on learning about nutrition and enabling participants to take home their harvests.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
    • Community revitalization and cleanup initiatives
      Pioneered and led community revitalization efforts in the Johnson Park neighborhood, including physical removal of trash from the local environment and restoration of buildings such as the second floor of 26 Johnson Park and conversion of former drug houses into supportive housing units.
  • Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
    • Emergency and permanent supportive housing
      Provides emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families, including traditional and non-traditional family units, women, and single females. Operates a 12-bed homeless shelter and has developed 33 units of safe, supportive permanent housing through capital projects funded by over $9 million, including LEED-certified green housing for chronically homeless single women with mental health disabilities. Provided services to 315 individuals in 2024.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Food pantry distribution
      Operates a food pantry that provides nutritious staple foods and complete meal ingredients to low-income individuals and families, distributing up to five days' worth of food per household visit, accessible up to twice per month with additional visits during times of special need. Serves nearly 2,000 households monthly in the Cornhill neighborhood of Utica and surrounding areas, and is affiliated with the Food Bank of Central New York as its only evening-open pantry in Utica.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Job readiness and reentry support
      Provides job readiness services including resume writing, interview rehearsal, and wake-up calls for adults, and runs the Second Chance Program in partnership with the Oneida County Workforce Investment Board, offering advocacy, mentoring, support groups, and pre- and post-employment services for ex-offenders and residents of the Cornhill community.
  • Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
    • Literacy and technology training for children
      Offers the LeapFrog Program, an early literacy and technology training initiative for Cornhill children, with components delivered both at home and at the Youth Center to support reading and digital skills development.
  • Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
    • Skill-building workshops for youth
      Provides skill-building activities for youth in computers, sewing, crafts, life skills, first aid, baking, and cooking, supporting holistic development and practical life competencies.
  • Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
    • Transportation assistance
      Provides transportation services for individuals and small groups to reduce barriers to treatment, family reunification, grocery shopping, appointments, and daily living needs, including a guaranteed safe ride home in a 15-passenger van for youth at the end of evening programs.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Volunteer engagement program
      Operates a volunteer program that engages individuals in mentoring, youth education, maintenance, food pantry operations, computer support, public relations, and other organizational support functions.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Youth enrichment and after-school programming
      Runs a year-round indoor/outdoor Youth Enrichment Center offering education, recreation, life skills training, literacy support, transportation, and healthy meals for youth in the Cornhill community. Programs operate during evenings and summer months, providing a safe space with structured activities including homework assistance, computer instruction, arts & crafts, sports, cultural awareness, substance abuse prevention, and violence prevention.
  • Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth leadership development
      Runs the Youth Voice Initiative to train youth ages 9–16 as leaders and positive role models who promote drug-free living and nonviolence, assist in planning and leading JPC events, and participate in leadership development training focused on avoiding drugs, alcohol, gangs, and violence.
  • Youth Sports and Recreation Programs at Private Clubs 1 activity
    • Youth recreational programming
      Offers youth sports programs in basketball, volleyball, baseball, and soccer, and operates an outdoor basketball playground during warm seasons to provide a safe recreational space with snacks and wholesome summer activities.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.48M
Contributions & grants$2.90M83%
Program service revenue$557K16%
Investment income$26K1%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$2.19M
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$725K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$11.40M
Cash$271K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.60M
Net assets$8.80M
Liquid reserves1.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
REV URSULA MEIER COO/VICE PRESIDENT 80 $6K
board members · 9
  • DANIEL RODAHAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • ETHEL JACKSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • IRMA I FIGUEROA — TREASURER
  • MELISSA PREST — BOARD MEMBER
  • NANCY E WOLFE — BOARD MEMBER
  • PEARL BRYANT — BOARD MEMBER
  • REV JEFFREY H MCARN — SECRETARY
  • REV MARIA A SCATES — CEO/ PRESIDENT
  • TIFFANY RICHARDSON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 31

Who they work with

  • C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects Partner — Provided in-kind architectural services for multiple renovation and construction projects.
  • City of Utica Government — Provided multiple grants including HOME, CDBG, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program awards.
  • Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties Funder — Awarded multiple grants including startup, restructuring, and capacity-building funds.
  • Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties Funder — Houses the Friends of Johnson Park Center Food Distribution Fund, which receives and administers donations for the pantry.
  • Compassion Coalition Partner — Partner organization that distributed USDA-funded New York-grown food to Johnson Park Center through the Food for New York Families program.
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County Partner — Supported the development and operation of the Let’s Grow Community Garden.
  • Cornerstone Community Church Partner — Partnered to install a kitchen on the second floor of 1402 West Street for the Emergency Family Shelter.
  • Cornhill children Partner — Local youth population served through the organization's youth programs.
  • Food Bank of Central New York Network — Member agency receiving food and support through the network.
  • Food Bank of Central New York Network — Registered food distribution site affiliated with the Food Bank of Central New York.
  • Food Bank of Central New York Network — Registered official food distribution site with the Food Bank of Central New York.
  • Food Bank of Central New York Partner — Supplies food inventory to Johnson Park Center’s pantry program.
  • Hage & Hage Partner — Provided Green LEED consulting services for the JPC Green Community Project Master Plan.
  • Ms. Cathy Mallace Partner — Longtime resident of Cornhill who welcomed Rev. Dr. Scates, provided community access, and facilitated the initial tour.
  • Ms. Nancy Wolfe Partner — Utica School District teacher who became a sustained volunteer and Board of Directors member after being moved by the Center's work.
  • NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Government — Granted OASAS Chemical Dependence Operating Certificate for supportive housing program.
  • New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Government — Funded the Family Specialist Development Program.
  • Oneida County Department of Social Services Government — Approves referrals and eligibility for the Family Shelter program.
  • Oneida County Workforce Investment Board Partner — Partnered to launch the Second Chance Program for ex-offenders and Cornhill residents.
  • Poncell Construction, Inc. Partner — Provided in-kind labor for multiple facility improvement projects.
  • Resource Living of Independent Living (RCiL) Partner — Jointly received the American with Disabilities (ADA) 22nd Anniversary Proclamation Award from the City of Utica in 2012.
  • Rev. Dr. Maria A. Scates, D.D. Partner — Founder and CEO of JCTOD Outreach, Inc. dba Johnson Park Center, leading community development and supportive housing initiatives.
  • Rev. Ursula Meier Partner — Full-time volunteer and Chief Operations Officer who joined after ministry team visit and continues to serve.
  • Robert A. Polivka Partner — Board President who provided key insight about Utica and supported the founding of Johnson Park Center.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government — Awarded Compassion Capital Fund grants for organizational capacity building.
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Government — Awarded Continuum of Care Supportive Housing Program grants.
  • U.S. Green Building Council Network — Member organization adhering to LEED for Homes Program standards.
  • United Way of Greater Utica Funder — Provided grants for the Youth Program and Food Pantry operations.
  • United Way of the Mohawk Valley Funder — Former funder that provided $30,000 annually for pantry operations until discontinuing support in the 2025 fiscal year.
  • Utica National Group Foundation Funder — Provided grants for construction materials, facility renovations, and program funding including LeapFrog.
+ 1 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Food Security as Foundation for Self-Sufficiency
    methodology: food_security_pathway
    By removing barriers to food access and providing dignified, equitable distribution of nutritious food, the organization addresses immediate survival needs as a prerequisite to engaging individuals in longer-term pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency, because meeting basic needs builds trust and enables focus on personal development.
  • Housing-First with Supportive Services
    methodology: housing_first
    By providing permanent or transitional supportive housing combined with case management and life skills development, the organization enables chronically homeless women and mothers in recovery to achieve stability, reunify with families, and progress toward independent living, because stable housing is foundational to recovery and self-sufficiency.
  • Participant-Centered Transformation Framework
    methodology: personal_development_framework
    By applying a structured personal development framework that emphasizes accountability, boundaries, and decision-making, the organization fosters long-term behavioral change and personal transformation, because intentional skill-building in core life domains enables sustainable recovery and self-direction.
  • Youth Empowerment through Relational Mentoring and Leadership
    methodology: relational_youth_development
    By engaging youth in structured, mentor-supported programming and leadership roles such as the Youth Voice Initiative, the organization fosters positive development and reduces risks of substance use and crime, because relational support and agency in programming promote accountability and healthy decision-making.