irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $457KFUTURES - REDUCES RECIDIVISM IN SCHENECTADY BY PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES, CAREER PLANNING, CREDENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND JOB COACHING TO JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUNG ADULTS.
- #2 $354KHVAC/ENERGY- ASSISTS YOUNG ADULTS IN COMPLETING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND RECEIVING CAREER TRAINING.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Build Up Film/Digital Media
Program training students in video production, advertising, digital media, and filmmaking, led by industry professional Prince Sprauve.
Culinary Program
Program teaching front- and back-of-house culinary and hospitality skills, including Restaurant Ready, ServSafe, and Allergens certifications, with internship and employment pathways.
FUTURES
Program reducing recidivism by providing support services, career planning, credential opportunities, and job coaching to justice-involved young adults in Schenectady.
HVAC/Energy
Program assisting young adults in completing high school education and receiving career training in HVAC and energy fields.
YouthBuild Schenectady
Program providing GED preparation, workforce development, and community service opportunities for young adults, using the Mockingbird Education Method to combine academic and vocational training.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Career and Technical Education Programs 2 activities
- High school equivalency and integrated career preparationOffers integrated programming that combines high school equivalency preparation with career pathways exploration and workforce development, enabling students to complete their education while gaining skills for technical careers.
- Industry-recognized credentialing programsPrepares students for technical, entry-level careers by providing credentials in construction, culinary arts, technology, emergency medical technician fields, and other skilled trades, including OSHA 10, Lead RRP, NCCER Core, and BPI certifications.
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Workforce Readiness Training 2 activities
- Workforce development and career placement servicesProvides comprehensive workforce development including career planning, job coaching, credential opportunities, college and career coaching, and post-program job placement support. Partners with employers, unions, educational institutions, and civic organizations to place participants in jobs or further education, achieving job and/or college placement for program graduates.
- YouthBuild Schenectady programOperates a YouthBuild program for young adults ages 18–24 without a high school diploma, helping them earn their GED, receive job training and industry-recognized certifications (including OSHA 10, Lead RRP, NCCER Core, and BPI), and gain placement in jobs or internships. The program includes construction training projects such as the completion of an energy-efficient, net-zero home at 99 Prospect Street in Schenectady.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Alumni pathway to employmentSupports long-term engagement by hiring program alumni into staff roles, including positions such as Crisis Intervention Specialists and front desk specialists, creating a pipeline from student to employee.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- AmeriCorps enrollment and service integrationEnrolls students in AmeriCorps, enabling them to earn Education Awards for college or training upon completion of required service hours. Supports over 16,000 community service hours annually through student participation in service projects.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community events and public engagementHosts public events such as Earth Day celebrations, annual outdoor fundraisers, and program launch parties to showcase student talent, raise awareness, and engage the community in youth workforce development initiatives.
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Culinary Workforce Training Programs 1 activity
- Culinary and hospitality workforce trainingProvides culinary training to young adults in both front- and back-of-house skills through a dedicated Culinary Lab program, leading to industry certifications and internships with local restaurants. Students also staff artisan dining stations at public events and participate in community-centered fundraising events showcasing their talents.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Digital media and film production trainingOffers hands-on training in video production, digital media, and filmmaking through the Build Up Film/Digital Media program, equipping students with technical skills for careers in the tech and creative sectors.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Leadership development trainingDelivers leadership training programs focused on compassionate and purposeful leadership development for young adults, fostering personal growth and professional readiness.
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Campus Auxiliary Services Management 1 activity
- Student support logistics and operationsProvides essential logistical support to students including free bus passes, meals, uniforms, bi-weekly stipend payments, and front desk services that welcome students, staff, and visitors at SEAT Center locations.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Transitional employment and social enterprise operationsOperates social enterprise services that create transitional job opportunities for students, paired with ongoing mentoring and coaching. These include public-facing events and artisan dining stations staffed by trainees, integrating real-world work experience into program delivery.
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Youth Development and Support Services 1 activity
- Wraparound support and case managementDelivers wraparound support services including case management, wellness counseling, psychoeducational groups, drug education and treatment, life skills training, and stipend payments to remove barriers to participation. Tracks student attendance and ensures compliant data reporting for grant-funded programs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.08M
Contributions & grants$3.94M97%
Program service revenue$98K2%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$39K
expenses
Total expenses$3.72M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$2.23M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.00M
Cash$70K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.98M
Net assets$1.02M
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +57.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER LAWRENCE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR` | 40 | $148K |
board members · 6
- ALOJA AIREWELE — VICE CHAIR
- ANTHONY HUBBARD — TREASURER
- JONATHAN HERNANDEZ — MEMBER
- KIMBERLY SPECK — MEMBER
- PAIGE RUECKERT — MEMBER
- STEVE OBERMAYER — CHAIR
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AmeriCorps Government — Operates as an AmeriCorps site, enrolling students in the program to earn Education Awards.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Collaborates with AmeriCorps through VISTA and youth service programs, including staff who began as AmeriCorps members.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Collaborates with AmeriCorps through Vista Volunteer program participation.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Collaborates with AmeriCorps to engage Vista Volunteers in SEAT Center programs.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Hosts AmeriCorps Vista Volunteers as part of its program staffing and talent development model.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Hosts Vista Volunteers through AmeriCorps, including alumni who transition into staff roles.
- AmeriCorps Partner — Provides Vista Volunteers who contribute to SEAT Center programs, such as Yireh Pino’s service in the Crisis Intervention and Prevention team.
- CEO YouthBuild Partner — Collaborates with SEAT Center through shared programming and staff experience, such as Matt Rector’s prior role as an instructor.
- CEO YouthBuild Partner — Staff have prior instructional experience with CEO YouthBuild, indicating organizational connection.
- Capital Region Coalition Partner — Engages in strategic planning collaboration through shared leadership.
- Capital Region Coalition Partner — SEAT Center staff direct strategic planning for the coalition, indicating an operational partnership.
- Capital Region Coalition Partner — Shevis C. Brown directs Strategic Planning for the Capital Region Coalition, indicating an organizational partnership through shared leadership.
- Dynamic Energy Partner — Partner in the Capital Region Community Solar Garden initiative, enabling SEAT Center to offer solar energy benefits to supporters.
- John Maxwell Team Partner — Provides certification and training framework used by Shevis C. Brown in delivering leadership development programs at SEAT Center.
- Kingdom Commission Outreach Partner — Shared leadership with Shevis C. Brown serving on its Advisory Board while employed at SEAT Center.
- Kingdom Commission Outreach Partner — Shares leadership through advisory board membership and collaborative leadership programming.
- Kingdom Commission Outreach Partner — Shevis C. Brown serves on the Advisory Board of Kingdom Commission Outreach, indicating a leadership-level connection between the organizations.
- Kingdom Commission Outreach Partner — Shevis C. Brown serves on the Advisory Board of Kingdom Commission Outreach, indicating an organizational affiliation or partnership.
- Mockingbird Education Partner — Partner in developing and delivering the integrated program curriculum using evidence-based instructional strategies for struggling learners.
- National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Partner — Provides industry-recognized certifications (Restaurant Ready, ServSafe) to participants in the culinary program.
- Rivers Casino & Resort Partner — Community partner recognized with a Spirit of Service Award by SEAT Center.
- Schenectady Foundation Partner — Community partner recognized by SEAT Center with a Community Partner Award.
- St. Gobain Partner — Partners with St. Gobain to build LEED Certified Affordable Homes.
- United States Green Building Council Partner — Partners with USGBC to build LEED Certified Affordable Homes.
- Yolanda Bush Music & the Coolwater Collective Partner — Provides live music performance at SEAT Center's Savor the Summer event.
- YouthBuild Schenectady Partner — SEAT Center created and oversees YouthBuild Schenectady as part of its programming.
strategies · 5
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.
- Alumni-to-Staff Pipeline Modelmethodology: alumni-to-staff_pipelineBy employing program alumni as staff, the organization sustains a culture of lived experience and gratitude, which strengthens mentorship and role modeling, because former participants who return as employees reinforce program credibility and long-term engagement.
- Experiential Education for Workplace Readinessmethodology: experiential_educationBy using hands-on, project-based learning tied to real-world problems and employer needs, the organization builds workplace readiness and confidence, because experiential education bridges the gap between academic knowledge and job performance.
- Holistic Support to Remove Structural Barriersmethodology: barrier_reduction_through_support_servicesBy providing transportation, food, clothing, and emergency assistance alongside training, the organization increases program participation and success, because addressing basic needs enables sustained engagement in workforce development.
- Recidivism Reduction through Workforce Integrationmethodology: recidivism-reduction-through-workforce-integrationBy providing justice-involved youth with credentials, job coaching, and integrated support services, the organization reduces recidivism because workforce integration creates pathways to economic self-sufficiency and social belonging.
- Workforce Development through Transformative Educationmethodology: workforce-development-through-transformative-educationBy integrating education, real-world training, and personal development, the organization builds purpose and hope in young people while preparing them for employment, because transformative learning experiences produce lasting behavioral and economic change.