What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.52MNUTRITION PROGRAMS - CEO'S FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES RENSSELAER COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH EMERGENCY FOOD WIC (SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN) PROVIDES NUTRITION EDUCATION AND NUTRITIONAL FOOD PACKAGES FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT, BREAST-FEEDING, OR HAVE GIVEN BIRTH AND THEIR CHILDREN UP TO AGE FIVE. APPROXIMATELY 2,000 FAMILIES WERE SERIVED DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING 2025.
- #2 $941KHOUSING PROGRAMS - WEATHERIZATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGETO INCOME ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS. EMPOWER NY ASSISTS HOUSEHOLDS WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS. APPROXIMATELY 450 HOUSEHOLDS WERE SERVED DURING FISCAL YEAR ENDING 2025.
What they call their work
What they do
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WIC Nutrition Support Services 1 activity
- Administering the WIC program for pregnant women and young childrenProvides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and access to healthy food and formula for income-eligible pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age five through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Distributes benefits redeemable at designated stores.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Delivering Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education programsOperates federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs providing comprehensive early childhood education, developmental assessments, and family support services for children from birth to age five, including prenatal support and home visiting. Services are available in Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties.
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Low-Income Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades 1 activity
- Delivering home weatherization and energy efficiency servicesProvides free insulation, air-sealing, and energy efficiency improvements through the EMPOWER NY program for income-eligible households in Rensselaer County. Includes BPI-certified home energy audits, blower door testing, and customized weatherization plans involving insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, and heating system repairs.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Offering community resource navigation and support servicesOperates a Community Resource Specialist service to help individuals access needed social services and supports, connecting them with resources to improve financial stability and quality of life.
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Comprehensive Community Service Hubs 1 activity
- Operating anti-poverty programs across multiple domainsOperates over 15 programs focused on helping individuals and families rise out of poverty by addressing social, emotional, financial, and educational needs through education, skill building, and resource connection. Programs are delivered in Rensselaer County and surrounding areas with a staff of over 200.
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Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income Households 1 activity
- Operating the HOME program for homeowner repairsAssists eligible homeowners in the City of Troy with home repairs and improvements through the HOME program, supporting housing stability and safety for low-income residents.
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
- Providing emergency food assistance and operating community food pantriesDistributes safe and nutritious food to individuals in need through a community food pantry, offering emergency food for up to three meals per day for three days every 14 days per household member during crises. Served 11,800 individuals and received 7,300 volunteer hours in support of food services.
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Free Tax Preparation Services 1 activity
- Providing free tax preparation services using IRS-sponsored platformOffers free in-person and virtual tax preparation and filing services for low-to-moderate income individuals through the IRS-sponsored "Get Your Refund" platform, utilizing certified volunteer preparers.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Running the Fatherhood Initiative to engage fathers in child developmentOperates the Fatherhood Initiative since 2008 to actively involve fathers and father figures in their children's development through classroom participation, events, and family engagement activities.
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Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
- Sponsoring the Foster Grandparent Program for senior volunteersSponsors the Foster Grandparent Program, which engages over 100 seniors annually across nine counties in eastern New York, including Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady, who serve as mentors and tutors to children through educational and recreational activities. Volunteers receive tax-free stipends for 5–40 hours of weekly service.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUZANNE ROSA | PRESIDENT | 40 | $203K |
| MARY O'GRADY | CFO (UNTIL JUNE 2024) | 40 | $191K |
- ABIGAIL CEVALLOS — MEMBER
- BETTY BELLINO-GIUGNO — MEMBER
- BRIAN WILLIAMS — CHAIRPERSON
- DAN CASALE — MEMBER
- DEMETRIA CANTY — MEMBER
- ELLEN VENSON — MEMBER
- FORTUNE OMASE — MEMBER
- MARK FLEMING — MEMBER
- MEGAN ROSS — TREASURER
- MICHAEL BOSSERT — MEMBER
- MICHAEL STAMMEL — MEMBER
- PATRICIA O'CONNOR PHD — VICE CHAIRPERSON
- PATRICK MORPHY ESQ — SECRETARY
- PETER GRIMM — MEMBER
- STEVEN MCLAUGHLIN — MEMBER
Who they work with
- Administration for Children and Families Government — Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers grants supporting CEO's early childhood services.
- Building Performance Institute Government — CEO's energy auditors are certified by the Building Performance Institute.
- Capital Region Workforce Development Board Partner — Private sector board member serves as Executive Director
- Community Partners Partner — Collaborates with multiple community partners to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Community Partners Partner — Network of local organizations collaborating with CEO to deliver services.
- EMPOWER NY Partner — Collaborates on providing weatherization and energy efficiency services to income-eligible households.
- Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook to share updates about seasonal initiatives, one-time programs, news, and press releases.
- Fatherhood Initiative Partner — Program integrated within Head Start and Early Head Start to engage fathers and father figures in children's development.
- Feeding America Network — Member of the national Community Action network that includes alignment with broader anti-poverty initiatives.
- Head Start and Early Head Start Partner — Foster Grandparent Program participants are placed in Head Start and Early Head Start programs to support early childhood education.
- Hoosick Town Government — Local government representation via Town Supervisor on board
- IRS Government — Utilizes the IRS-sponsored "Get Your Refund" platform for virtual tax preparation services.
- Office of Head Start Government — Provides grant funding and administrative support for CEO's early childhood education programs.
- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York Network — Member of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York food distribution network.
- Rensselaer County Government — Public sector representation through county executive and legislators
- Russell Sage Colleges Partner — Private sector board member affiliated with the institution
- Schodack Town Government — Local government representation via Town Supervisor on board
- The Food Pantries of the Capital District Network — Member of The Food Pantries of the Capital District network.
- Tri City Rentals Partner — Private sector board member affiliated with the organization
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.
- Client-Choice Modelmethodology: client_choiceBy allowing households to select their own food based on household size, we reduce food waste and increase utilization, because client autonomy leads to better alignment with actual needs and preferences.
- Empowerment Through Skill-Buildingmethodology: empowerment-modelBy focusing on skill development and equipping individuals with tools and resources, we create long-term self-sufficiency, because empowerment enables people to drive their own growth out of poverty rather than relying on temporary aid.
- Integrated Life-Stage Supportmethodology: integrated-community-supportBy providing coordinated services across life stages—from prenatal through childhood and into senior years—we improve long-term outcomes, because continuity of care addresses evolving needs within families over time.
- Tripartite Governance for Community Representationmethodology: tripartite_governanceBy integrating low-income community members, public officials, and private-sector professionals into board governance, we ensure equitable decision-making, because shared leadership increases responsiveness to community needs and builds trust in organizational priorities.