It’s the countdown until Christmas and CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services of Clifton Park is still looking for donors to provide Christmas gifts and winter clothing for children and families in need.
It’s down to the wire with Christmas, said Kim Herman, who coordinates the CAPTAIN family assistance program. Meanwhile, CAPTAIN Executive Director Michael Daugherty, confirmed that 44 more children need to be adopted.
`We have 283 children this year, and we are down 44 donors,` he said.
Daugherty, who joined CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services on Nov. 13, said that CAPTAIN’s adopt-a-family program has more children this year than the agency has seen in previous years.
`The number families in need are going up and individual and company donations are down,` Daugherty said.
Last year, CAPTAIN collected gifts and clothing for 240 children.
As participating donors, fourth-grade teachers and students at Karigon Elementary School are getting ready to wrap presents for a family that they have adopted through the CAPTAIN program.
`In addition to two other families from other sources, the students have adopted a family through CAPTAIN,` said Rita Fischer, who teaches at the school. `We have done this for last four or five years in place of a Christmas grab bag.`
Additionally, Chango Elementary School students have been donating toys, which will be provided for the children who haven’t been adopted.
According to Herman, families who participate in CAPTAIN often have more critical needs. While CAPTAIN runs a food pantry, the organization provides money for rent and utilities for families in crisis.
`We received four phone calls from families who needed financial assistance this week. People call when they are about to be evicted or to say that their heat is about to be turned off,` Herman said.
Daugherty said that the holidays can be tough for people who are trying to further divide their resources.
`We provided an average of $1,700 last week,` he added.
The increase in families in need in Southern Saratoga County has also been evident to teachers and staff in the Shenendehowa Central School District. Michael Smith, director of student services at Shenendehowa, said that he has seen more families in the community move into homelessness.
`As the homeless liaison for the district, I have seen more families become temporarily homeless,` said Smith.
Additionally, Kathie Chank, who runs CAPTAIN’s outreach program for low-income students and families, said that the demand for CAPTAIN services has increased dramatically over the past 20 years.
`When you think of Clifton Park, you think of an affluent community. However, our Web site shows that there are many families in need,` Chank said.
CAPTAIN, which stands for Community Action for Parents and Interested Neighbors, was developed in 1977 to help teenagers with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Since then, CAPTAIN programs have expanded to include education, prevention and intervention for low-income families and children in southern Saratoga County.
Head Start, homework help, street outreach, a peace camp, after-prom parties, and a second-hand clothing and furnishing shop are a few of the programs operated by CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services.
Those interested in adopting a family for the holidays or making a donation to CAPTAIN can call 371-1185.“