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OUTREACH/ALANCE
    
Holy Family Parish's Outreach programs were highlighted in "The Times Union" newspaper. Click here to read the article, "Catholic Church Thriving in Albany."
    
PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY
"Our mission is to feed, comfort, and guide, those who come to us in need."

In union with our gratitude to those who help us afford our tangible needs, we remember that it is God who bestows all. We rely heavily on the goodness of our provider and are grateful for His ever present mercy and goodness. We receive the gift of understanding and mercy as we live day by day with the needs of those around us. Though we are individuals, we are one in our mission; to overlook the weaknesses of others and see ourselves as brothers and sisters and children of God.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this webpage. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. May God's love surround you. PEACE!

Contact Information:
Center City PSM
315 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, New York 12206
(518) 465-8262
Director: Friar Gregory Spuhler, OFM Conv.

    
    
  
 
 
Marketplace Ministry
  
  
    
 
    
     
  

12 STEP MEETINGS
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are located in Holy Family Parish Center, 283 Central Avenue. For schedules, etc., please call the parish office at (518) 465-3685.

AA Y NA
AA y NA se localizan en el Centro Parroquial, para obtener información de horarios, tengan la bondad de llamar a la oficina de la parroquia al 465-3685.

  
    
     

ARISE CORE TEAM
ARISE Core Team is a subcommittee of the Neighborhood Hospitality Committee which serves as the link between the parish and ARISE, a faith-based community organizing project covering four counties of the Capital Region. It aims to build community among parishioners and our neighbors and to develop an effective voice improving life in our neighborhood. Please contact either Ed Falterman or Kae Senchyna through the parish office at (518) 465-3685 for more information.

EQUIPO DE ARISE
Equipo de ARISE es un subcomité del Vecindario/Hospitalidad que sirve como lazo entre la parroquia y ARISE, una organización comunitaria que cubre cuatro condados de la Región Capital. Intenta fortalecer relaciones entre feligreses y vecinos. Para obtener mayor información, llamar a Ed Falterman al 462-4482 o a Kae Senchyna al 462-0929.

  
    
    

"ASSISI IN ALBANY"
“Assisi in Albany” is a group of non-parishioners, founded by the Friars, and committed to espousing the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and sharing that spirituality through collaborative ministry with the parishes of the Albany Deanery. Currently, the group is working on establishing a job counseling service housed at St. John's Lutheran Church at 160 Central Avenue. Please call Fr. Tony Kall at (518) 465-3685 for more information.

ASÍN EN ALBANY
Asís en Albany es un grupo de no-feligreses fundado por los frailes comprometido a esposar la espiritualidad de San Francisco de Asís y compartida a través de un ministerio de colaboración con las parroquias del decano de Albany. Actualmente, esta trabajando como apoyo con clientes de “One Stop” – un servicio de consejería de trabajo en el 175 de Central Ave.

  
    
    
CENTER CITY PARISH FOOD PANTRY
We are located at 315 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, New York.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: From 9:00AM to 1:00PM

The upkeep of our food pantry is, in itself, a big task. Our load is considerably lightened by the volunteers who come into help each week. Our food pantry provides individuals and families with a supplemental food supply that cover 4(+) days. We provide juice, soups, canned vegetables, cereal, rice, pasta, bread and some frozen meats and often fresh produce, to our patrons. When available, we are also able to provide personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Most of our items are purchased with grant money and money that people generously donate to us. We also receive food from individuals, and organizations that do food drives for us.

The pantry work includes, welcoming our guests, finding out what their needs are by allowing them to choose which food they need. The bags need to be packed, the shelves need to be stocked, and the hygiene products are sorted and bagged. The rooms with food need to be kept clean and the refrigerators and freezers need to be washed down. But, most important our guests need to feel safe and comfortable with their choice to use our service. They need to speak and be heard, cry and be understood, laugh and be welcomed.

We service approximately 400 families within our boundaries. It is through our pantry that we offer the Christmas program and the school supply drive.

  
    
     
CENTER CITY PARISH THRIFT SHOP
We are located in the basement of Holy Family Parish at 283 Central Avenue, Albany, New York. We are open on Thursdays from 10:00AM - 2:00PM. This allows for our soup kitchen guests to shop before and after lunch.

We will accept donations on the first Thursday of each month. If you are interested in making a donation, please be conscientious of the condition the items are in. Because our storage area is small, we also ask that donations be made that are weather and season appropriate. Our volunteers take the time to go through all of the donated items to make sure they are in a condition that they would expect for themselves. We cannot accept electrical items, such as appliances.

Owing to a hard working, friendly groups of volunteers, we are able to offer a clean, well cared for, place to buy decent second-hand items such as, goods, clothes, shoes, books and videos. All items are sold at very affordable prices. For example, all shirts are .50 cents and winter coats go for $1.00.

Several of our guests have expressed their gratitude for the many needs that are met through this service. It is because of the dedication of so many good hearts, that we are able to continue sharing this very important part of our ministry; clothing and providing for those members of our community with the greatest hardships and challenges.

  
    
    
CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP
Holy Family's Home Based Child Care Partnership is a cooperative support network created to assist individuals who would like to start, improve, and maintain a child care business. Our program goal is to identify, train, and support newly registered and current Family and Group Day Care Providers in the Arbor Hill, West Hill, Central Avenue and now the South End neighborhoods through one-on-one technical assistance and a variety of small business supports. Monthly support group meetings are held to provide members with an opportunity to share ideas and concerns receive training and support each other through the many challenges of their small business.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about becoming a day care provider and what are program has to offer please contact Emily Gilbert, program coordinator at (518) 465-8395.

  
    
    
"ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE" CLASSES
H osted by Holy Family Parish, these classes are provided free of charge by BOCES, weekdays from 9:00AM to 12Noon at the Parish Center at 283 Central Avenue. For more information, please call BOCES at (518) 862-4900.
  
    
    

NEIGHBORHOOD HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The Neighborhood Hospitality Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00PM to explore ways of providing a presence of Church to our neighbors in West Hill and Arbor Hill. It has sponsored such events as the Annual Multicultural Festival, the Opportunity Fair, Neighborhood Christmas Caroling, and Communication Workshops. It also coordinates parishioner socials following Sunday Eucharist. Please contact Fred Boehrer through the parish office at (518) 465-3685 for more information.

COMITÉ DE VECINDARIO/HOSPITALIDAD
Comité de Vecindario/Hospitalidad se reúne el tercer martes de cada mes a las 7:00 p.m. para explorar maneras de expandir la presencia de la iglesia en nuestro vecindario de West y Arbor Hill. Ha patrocinado eventos como el Festival Multicultural, la Feria de la Oportunidad, Villancicos en el Vecindario, y Talleres de Comunicación. También coordina hora social después de la Eucaristía Dominical. Llamar a Fred Boeher para mayor información.

  
    
    

POVERELLO CENTER
The Poverello Center, named after St. Francis, the “Little Poor Man” of Assisi, who deeply cared for each person he encountered, is a voluntary physicians’ and nurses’ practice, which provides the following free services: 1) Walk-in urgent care and health screenings; 2) On-site limited pharmacy services; 3) Referrals to ongoing primary care and specialty services; and 4) Referrals for legal counsel, social services and spiritual direction. Location: 315 Sheridan Avenue, Albany. Hours of Operation: Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm. For more information, call (518) 426-9428.

CENTRO POVERELLO
Centro Poverello, nombrado después de San Francisco, el “hombre pobrecito” de Asís, a quien le importaba todo aquel que encontraba. El centro ofrece servicios voluntarios de doctores y enfermeras ofreciendo 1)servicios de urgencias, 2)servicios limitados de farmacia, 3)remiten a clínicas o servicios especiales y 4)Información de consejería legal, servicios sociales y dirección espiritual. Se localiza en el 315 de Sheridan Ave. las oras de operación son Miércoles de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m. 426-9428.

  
    
    
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE INTERFAITH SOUP KITCHEN
St. Maximilian Soup Kitchen is located at 283 Central Avenue, Albany, New York.
Our doors open Monday and Thursday: 11:30AM - 1:00PM

We welcome anyone in need or want of a good meal. Our lunch preparations begin at 8:30 a.m. The dining room is cleaned, the silverware is wrapped, the coffee is made, the desserts are cut and the fresh produce is brought in and prepared. All this is done by the wonderful volunteers who give up their day for the good of the needy in our community. In peace, our guests come in the door; some homeless, some with addictions, some with children, some with disabilities (small and great) and most with low or no income. Regardless of their reasons, they come together for lunch. Many know each other and look out for each other. We see a lot of new faces each week, some return, others move on. We welcome all without scorn or judgment. Our guests understand this. They feel at home and comfortable being there, for that time we have together. Our soup kitchen is a safe and enjoyable experience for both the guests and volunteers. We are so grateful for the blessings it brings.

    
     
    
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Our volunteers are a treasured blessing. Without them, we would not be able to accomplish all that we do. Our volunteers come from all stations in life. We have reached out into the community and they have truly reached back. We have men and women in the medical field, legal professionals, retirees, organizations, and families. Many of our patrons, themselves, enjoy the opportunity to give back by volunteering their time. As a diverse group of volunteers, who come together in peace and caring, we have formed a spiritual shelter for those people who need it the most. With the various, precious and unique gifts that each individual brings, we can touch so many lives. Our patrons come to us with such a variety of needs. Often, just a compassionate ear is the greatest necessity. Because of our many programs, we are always deeply grateful for the time, love and generosity of these wonderful people.

There are variety of volunteer opportunities for those who may be interested. Some of our volunteers are seasonal and help specifically at our Christmas program, or at the school supply drive. Others come in once a month, once a week or just for a day. Because of the variety of jobs, there is work for everyone. At each of our locations, food pantry, soup kitchen and thrift shop, we have jobs for people of all abilities. Regardless of the amount of time spent or the jobs done, each person's donated time is precious to us. As every one of the volunteers knows, the time spent doing for others is always a reward in itself. It is a gift we give ourselves as well as others.

If you would like to find out about volunteering, please contact Friar Greg Spuhler, OFM Conv. or Yvonne Fleming at (518) 465-8262.

  
    
    

WEST HILL MINISTERIAL FELLOWSHIP
West Hill Ministerial Fellowship, begun in 1992 by local Clergy, meets once a month to share information about and plan events for the West Hill and Arbor Hill neighborhoods. The group envisions the Church as a cohesive interfaith force in uniting the people of the center city in combating the influence of drug dealers, gangs and violence. It sponsors such events as the annual “Carnival on the Hill.”

LA FRATERNIDAD MINISTERIAL DE WEST HILL
La Fraternidad Ministerial de West Hill fue fundada 1992 por el clero local, se reúne una vez al mes para compartir información y planear eventos en el vecindario. El grupo ambiciona la iglesia como fuerza que conecte y unifique a la gente del centro de la ciudad al combatir juntos la influencia de las drogas, pandillas y violencia. Patrocina eventos como el Carnaval del Hill.