Number 18, December 2005                    Recovery and Re-entry

Christmas is an especially moving season for us in PYHIT who are fully engaged in  helping people afflicted with seemingly insurmountable troubles: the poor, those disenfranchised because of chemical dependencies or mental disabilities and the homeless. And Christmas this year delivered an early present to help us in these efforts. Recently we took possession of the Monastery of St. Theresa, former residence of the discalced Carmelites on Duane Avenue in Schenectady. For the past 83 years, the Sisters who lived here followed a strict regimen of prayer and silence as they celebrated the presence of God in their midst twenty-four hours a day.   

Without intending to compare the monastic life they live with the life of the people who seek serenity in recovery, I am struck by a few similarities. Each life is a quest requiring a total commitment, a firm determination, a conversion and surrender and honesty in the pursuit of truth. For example, one essential element of the Twelve Step program for recovery requires an acknowledgement of a power greater than ours through prayer and meditation.

Walking through the monastery the visitor is impressed by the chapel, the sanctuary and the choir. The hallways lead to over a hundred rooms: an infirmary, workshops, kitchens, and common rooms for study and reflection. The viewer is struck with the sacredness of the building. Here the Sisters did all their own work, whether carpentry, plumbing, fancy linen making, painting and a host of jobs while eating, praying; all in silence and with a sense of solitude conducive to the monastic life. We will use the facility for a more active ministry, mindful of the sacrifices of those who lived here for so many years.   

Our administrative offices were consolidated and relocated to the Monastery on the first of November. We  plan to house some homeless veterans and are carefully considering what programs can be relocated in the best interests of our clients and the local community.   

I believe that God played a part in bringing us to this sacred ground to administer the support and services which are our trademark. The credo imprinted on the wall of the chapel, “Love is repaid by love alone,” testifies to the Sisters’ life away from the world. And I believe the same principle applies to the kind of work our staff performs daily as they try to help everyone who comes to our door for help  and serenity.   

Christmas has come early for PYHIT. The monastery is the finest gift we could hope for. We have an open house tentatively scheduled for February.  I will notify you once a firm date is decided upon so that you too may visit this magnificent facility.

God Bless

Father Peter Young

Tracey's Story 

“Local Woman Makes Good,” headlines this wounded healer’s story - Tracey’s tale of recovery. She recalls vividly her childhood, playing in and around the South End housing facilities Father Young provided even then for people in recovery. She admits that she was unaware of the pain that the clients experienced; she only knew that they were kind and attentive to the needs of a little girl anxious to laugh and play. Father Young was her father figure in those early years as he was for so many others in a neighborhood trapped in poverty.

After Tracey gave birth to her second daughter, she was introduced to crack cocaine by a “so-called” friend. For the next 12 years, the demons of drug addiction took charge, placing her under their spell while her family remained loyal and loving. They knew something was wrong, but held onto the hope that things would change.

Like many people afflicted, Tracey tried treatment more than once. She now realizes she was not yet ready for the leap to sobriety. Awareness for Tracey came when she was sentenced to prison for grand larceny, a tale so typical of someone needing money for their habit. Prison bars kept her isolated from her daughters. She couldn’t bear to have them visit their mother in prison even though they previously had lost their father.

The opportunity to enter the residential stabilization program offered by the Division of Parole energized Tracey. She learned to understand her illness and her daughters discovered what it does to people like her. Tracey moved into the Altamont House, a twenty-eight day intensive inpatient treatment program offered by Father Young. Then she progressed to the next rung of the recovery ladder in the women’s supportive living program

Three years later, Tracey is gainfully employed working in various capacities in the PYHIT program. She thanks Father Young every day for the blessings that have come her way. She sees opportunities for promotion and enjoys her new life of work and responsibility. As a staff member at 45 So. Ferry Street she works with 23 clients  helping them reintegrate through the residential stabilization program.

Tracey values her new life and her goal to remain clean and sober. She has reconciled with her family, the pride of her life. She encourages clients with whom she works to flip their negatives over and make each of them a positive force as they walk the road to recovery. It requires a new mind set, heeding the advice of others that have walked this path before her. And she reaches out to others in new settings and in new ways to enrich one’s life. Tracey knows she has come a long way. And she rejoices in the knowledge of the future joys that the journey of recovery holds for her. 

PYHIT On The Move 

“Priest does what gov’t ought to do”

This headline appeared in the Schenectady Gazette on Tuesday, October 4, 2005.  In his article, Carl Strock describes Father Young’s efforts as follows:

“What he does is provide low-cost, safe, supervised housing; jobs, often at his own profit making businesses; hand holding through the courts or social services bureaucracy; tutoring for high school equivalency diplomas; counseling and medical care. In short, the basics of what you need if you have hit bottom and want to work your way up.” 

The headquarters for this statewide $20 million a year program was relocated to the monastery on Duane Avenue in November. Most of Father’s treatment operations are located in the cities of Albany, Troy, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and New York City. But other locations include Glens Falls, Granville and Altamont. The PYHIT presence is intended to reach out to people in dire need of professional services to treat their chemical dependencies.

State contracts for our maintenance janitorial services continue to be a source of funding and jobs for our clients. The total program now exceeds $1 million with 70 people employed in good paying positions.

Recently one of our exemplary clients earned recognition for his outstanding work by the New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). Carlos Conception holds a very responsible position in our Janitorial and Maintenance Services program.   

We finalized the purchase of the rectory at St. John’s in the South End of Albany to house 20-25 clients who are attending vocational training programs at the Eleanor Young Clinic. Ironically, this rectory is where it all began 46 years ago when Father Young was assigned as an assistant in St. John’s parish.   

The New York City-wide clothing relief services center operating at the Brooklyn Naval Yard is now managed by PYHIT. This significant program provides good clothing to non-profits serving needy families in the New York City area. This clothing bank enables us to train clients in meaningful support position roles as well as provide a much needed service component.

Homeless Veteran's Program A Success

PYHIT is delighted to participate in programs designed to support homeless veterans. Our Veterans Residential Program mirrors the nation’s respect for, and recognition of, the role of millions of veterans who have served this country in its time of need. Currently, there are 275,000 homeless veterans in our country, a very sad situation. We are happy to be part of the effort to provide services they need and deserve.

Our most active program houses 50  veterans at the Schuyler Inn in Menands. Here we provide an array of quality living services for homeless and for some at-risk veterans requiring support and services to live independent and productive lives.  Funded by the Veteran’s Administration,  the program recently was expanded to provide a limited intensive program of services for veterans with special needs. The Schuyler Inn is one of only 14 facilities across the nation funded to provide such services to veterans.

Ms. Laurenzi, coordinator of federal VA programs noted that, “The new grant provides an opportunity for mentally ill vets to get some much-needed clinical treatment for their disabilities, treatment that includes intensive care management, medical monitoring and extended social activities -- services that they did not have before.”

We are pleased to report that our program is well respected by the Veteran’s Administration which continuously monitors all aspects of service provided by its contractors.

In the past year, a similar contract was awarded in Syracuse at the LeMoyne Manor. We hope to expand the program to provide services in Buffalo, New York City and Schenectady if funding is secured.

Food Service - The Main Menu

Food service has been a linchpin in  PYHIT programs for over 20 years, offering people in recovery an opportunity for employment and building of a resume to equip them for greater responsibilities. Training and gainful employment are essential..

The Schuyler Inn in Menands and the LeMoyne Manor in Syracuse, offer formal structured Culinary Arts programs, licensed by the New York State Department of Education. Professional and experienced staff provide the instruction and guidance. Clients are prepared to meet various job descriptions in the restaurant industry.

The two operations, in Menands and in Syracuse, are full-service hotel environments with formal dining, banquet services and catering services available to occupants and outside parties. Quality services and excellent food are basic.

Recently, as an encouragement to student clients, all were invited all expenses paid to attend the trade show of the International Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Association, which is a major international culinary event held annually in New York City. The attendees, such as Shawn and Connie,  received first-hand exposure to the finest examples of industry presentations.

In addition, Father Young’s food service initiatives include the Capitol Hill Deli at 42 Eagle Street in Albany and the 55 Hanson Cafe in Brooklyn which can seat 150 people. Both operations are staffed by our recovered clients who are trained in our culinary arts programs. We are encouraged that both of these locations will prosper not only as profitable businesses, but also in affording added job opportunities for clients.

Food service is a bread and butter enterprise that has been successful in the past and promises to expand and remain a productive initiative in our service industry endeavors. 

The suffering poor thank people
Who Give Of Their Time, Talent and Treasure.

If you want a worthwhile cause where poor people reap all the benefits (overhead
is paid  by another company), please include us in your monthly budget. Thank you.

Peter Young Foundation
PO Box 1338
Albany, NY 12201

Click here for newsletter archives

Board Members

The Altamont Program:

Peter G. Young, President         Bob Ward, Chairperson        Kevin Luibrand, Secretary

George Schindler        Maureen Dumas       Tom Going       Sr. Maureen Joyce RSM 

Mike Maginn           Ray Joyce          Jim Morrell          Tyler Trice
 

820 River Street, Inc:

Peter G. Young       Kevin Luibrand, President       Maureen Dumas

Tom Going       Sr. Maureen Joyce RSM       Mike Maginn

George Schindler         Bob Ward         Tyler Trice
 

VESTA Community Housing Development Board:

George Schindler, President      Peter G Young        Kevin Luibrand

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Copyright © 1999-2006 Peter Young Housing, Industries & Treatment
Last modified: 03/27/2006