JOHNSON PARK CENTER TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF HERKIMER & ONEIDA COUNTIES, INC.

 

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. is pleased to announce that Johnson Park Center in Utica will be the recipient of its annual Community Impact Award. This award recognizes nonprofit excellence in services and programs, and honors an organization that has used its grant support for extraordinary impact and results.

 

Johnson Park Center – previously known as JCTOD – and The Community Foundation have been community partners for more than a decade. Johnson Park Center has rebuilt a neighborhood, life by life. Women have come to them for help to be re-united with their children in safe and supportive housing, to build hope and to develop confidence so that they can become  better parents and  productive members of society. Children have come to them for positive wholesome recreation and nutritious meals in a safe and constructive haven that promotes literacy, learning and school success. Volunteerism, mentoring and advocacy are at the foundation of all their programs. The services they provide through community development, the food pantry & community garden, housing to the homeless, as well as job and life skills education have helped hundreds of people take control of their lives and their neighborhood. The Community Foundation is honored to play a role in Johnson Park Center’s work. Over the years, The Foundation awarded grants for the purchase of vehicles, office equipment, furniture for the transitional homes, and outreach programs such as the Youth Olympics.

 

In turn, Johnson Park Center has used these grants in relentless pursuit of their mission, and has leveraged local grant monies to pursue state grants, ultimately bringing in more than $1.8 million is state and federal funding for its programs and more than $3.5 million in housing rehabilitation for the Johnson Park neighborhood. In 2008, Johnson Park Center was recognized as the Upstate Residence of the Year by the Supportive Housing Network of New York State.

 

Peggy O’Shea, president & CEO of The Community Foundation, said, “The Reverend Maria A. Scates and the team she has built have never shied away from the challenges of neighborhood revitalization. Not only has the staff of Johnson Park Center taken control of their neighborhood’s future, but they have also provided support and guidance so that individuals can master their own destinies. The Foundation’s investments in Johnson Park Center have not been investments in buildings or vehicles, but rather in hope and resilience.”

 

Johnson Park Center will be honored at The Community Foundation’s Celebration of Philanthropy on May 7.

 

	Children involved with Johnson Park Center recently sent drawings and thank-you notes to The Community Foundation for a grant that allowed them to purchase a van.