Franklin Community Center was recently awarded two grants in support of its low-income housing program. Our building serves as a safe haven for individuals who may be faced with homelessness, living in substandard conditions or waiting for subsidized housing to become available. The building offers 17 single occupancy efficiency apartments that serve as permanent, safe housing for low-income adults. The funding assistance will support much-needed improvements on the 35-year old building, located centrally in downtown Saratoga Springs.
Thanks to The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation’s community development funding stream that invests in vital human services and access to safe and affordable housing, a grant in the amount of $11,500 was awarded to assist with an urgent need for equipment replacement. Said Leslie Cheu, Executive Director of The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, “We are pleased to support Franklin Community Center’s effort to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their low-incoming housing apartments. Everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing, and the apartments help meet that vitally important need in Saratoga County.”
The program also received an award of $3,000 from The Glens Falls Foundation in support of the on-going improvements. According to D. Michael Niles, Business Administrator, the Glens Falls Foundation Distribution Committee is pleased to provide this funding as it is entirely consistent with their mission of providing financial assistance to organizations for projects that will best make for the mental, moral, and physical well-being of the inhabitants of the Counties of Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga. These grants, plus an additional $3,000 from the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund awarded in December of 2021, will help to fill a gap in financial resources for one of Franklin Community Center’s crucial key programs. For more about the ATC Community Fund Lend-A-Hand grant, visit Saratoga Today newspaper.com
“These sources of support lend credibility to our efforts and raise awareness of the need for low-income housing in our area,” said Kari Cushing, Executive Director of Franklin Community Center. “We are seeing firsthand the urgent need for affordable housing alternatives in Saratoga and we believe gifts like these will have a significant impact in promoting philanthropy so that we can give more help to those in need.”
This funding will be used for upgrades and improvements needed on the aging building to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for the tenants, such as new toilets, hot water heaters, a new roof and energy-efficient windows. Community members are encouraged to learn more about Franklin Community Center and our programs by visiting: www.franklincommunitycenter.org.
