Volunteers helping a child with homework at Cheryl’s Lodge.
Some children singing at Peace Camp.
Kids and volunteers at the Outreach Center.
In the mid-1970s, a group of parents, residents and community members in the Clifton Park area banded together and formed CAPTAIN – Community Action for Parents, Teens and Interested Neighbors. The group was formed to address issues affecting the adolescents of that era which included drug use, homelessness and teenage pregnancy.
More than three decades later, the group is bigger and more involved, and is still looking to those areas of concern. CAPTAIN remains a presence in the Clifton Park community and last year, the organization provided over 25,000 units of service, according to President Claire Brown. A unit ofservice is considered to be anything from a meal served, a bicycle or helping afamily in a crisis situation.
“Within the core values of the organization, it’s that it is ahand up, not a hand out,” said Brown.
CAPTAIN has many resources for those in need to call on, and perhaps one of the most successful programs is the youth shelter. Today, the shelter assists several children at different times of the year, depending on the need.
Shelter administrator Ricardo Phipps said that currently there are four children residing at the shelter. While there are countless success stories as a result of the organization’s ability to help, Phipps relayed onevsuch story about a 16-year-old girl who was at the shelter.
“She was living at home with her dad…they didn’t see eye to eyevand her mom was out of state. She wouldn’t go to school and had an attitude.vShe stayed with us for about 30 days and in that time we got her to startvattending school and helped her to find employment. We also helped her reconnect with her mom. A few months ago we heard from her and she’s doing welland even got her CMA (certified medical assistant),” said Phipps.
Before CAPTAIN was officially formed, and before there was a shelter, parents and others were helping children by providing them a place to stay, according to Executive Director Sue Malinowski.
“There were no resources back then (for homeless children). Someof the parents and other people in the community were actually taking children into their homes, giving them a chance,” said Malinowski. Volunteers who offered their homes were certified through social services.
Bill Long, a Ph.D. and 2nd vice president of CAPTAIN, has been involved since the beginning and recalls those early days, saying that it was the kids and adults who got things going.
“By the time the kids nudged us, we formed a committee that started talking and organizing. There was some money from drug prevention programs by the county but they went defunct. Then we began talking with some town council folks about the idea. There were a lot of meetings, and early support came from the town. They kicked in the first $5,000,” said Long.
“A lot has changed in families in 35 years. Now there are more families where both parents have to work, and there have been a number of kids with parents who are dealing with their own struggles,” Long continued.
In a continued effort to keep the youth of the community involved with CAPTAIN, there are three teenagers on the board.
“They help with the homework helpline, crisis line, peace campin summer time, the teen advisory board and character development plans,” said Long.
Long also said that CAPTAIN has long had good cooperation and presence within area schools and that many times the organization has been asked replicate the program.
“One of the beauties of CAPTAIN is that there is this multiplier effect, being that there are so many volunteers. There are hundreds,” said Long.
Phipps said one of the most rewarding things for him is, “Themany ‘thank yous’ we get from the residents.”
“Before the kids leave here, they fill out a complete evaluation and we get a lot of good comments. … Then when they call us to tell us how they’re doing, we immediately remember who they are,” he added.
CAPTAIN provides a number of services in addition to its shelter operations, including an emergency food pantry, a bike distribution program andacademic help for youths.
Beginningin March, CAPTAIN will begin in earnest celebrating its 35 years of service. On March 10 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park, a “Sail into Spring” event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. There will be a DJ, comedy provided byThe Improv Club, cash bar, raffle prizes, a photo booth and birthday cake. Tickets are $60 per person and $110 per couple.
For more information about CAPTAIN and for tickets,call 371-1185 or visit captainyfs.com.
