FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2025
Contact: Santino R. Thomas
(518) 949-4809 | [email protected]
Local human services organization honored twice in past month
ALBANY, N.Y. – In the past several weeks, St. Catherine’s Center for Children has been honored twice for excellence in programming. Most recently, the New York State Parent Teacher Association recognized St. Catherine’s Lansingburgh Connects program with their Community Service Award at the Lansingburgh PTA Council’s annual Founder’s Day event. Just a couple of weeks prior, St. Catherine’s Access & Visitation program was awarded the Hon. Anthony V. Cardona Award by the Friends of Albany Children’s Center at its annual event.
“We are humbled by the recognition of these organizations for the work we perform on behalf of local children and families,” said St. Catherine’s Deputy Executive Director Brian Perotto. “We are so proud of our team members in both programs.
“The Lansingburgh Connects program has really taken off since its inception just two years ago and we are thrilled with the progress we have seen from the students and families enrolled in it. Our Access & Visitation team not only provides a safe environment for children and parents to spend time together, but it transforms what can be a difficult situation into a more pleasant experience in which children can continue to build a bond with non-custodial parents. Thank you to the New York State Parent Teacher Association, the Lansingburgh PTA Council and the Friends of Albany Children’s Center for this wonderful recognition.”
A shared Initiative with the Lansingburgh School District and Rensselaer County Mental Health, Lansingburgh Connects is a no-cost program that links students and their families to vital mental health and social supports needed to improve their overall health and well-being with the end goal of boosting academic performance.
“On behalf of the parents, families, and educators in Lansingburgh, together with the Lansingburgh PTAs, Rensselaer Park Elementary PTA, Turnpike Elementary School PTA, and Lansingburgh High School/Knickerbacker Middle School PTSA, I truly congratulate St. Catherine’s Center for Children’s Lansingburgh Connects program for its commitment and dedication to the children and families in their community,” offered Patricia Frazier, NYS PTA president. “Each day, this program measures its mission to serve. It is community partners like St. Catherine’s that makes student and family success and support possible. Congratulations on the critical work you perform each day to make every child’s potential a reality, and on this prestigious award!”
“The team at St. Catherine’s became students of our district, seeking to learn as much about our community as possible to ensure the services they provide truly work for our families and community,” said Joe Otter, director of school community partnerships with Lansingburgh Central School District. “They never say ‘no,’ ‘we can’t’ or ‘there’s no way.’ They go over, under, around, and through obstacles to provide essential support to our families.”
St. Catherine’s Access & Visitation program, in conjunction with the New York State Unified Court System and Albany County Family Court, provides a safe environment for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children under the supervision of dedicated staff. St. Catherine’s was nominated for the Hon. Anthony V. Cardona Award by Family Court Judge Susan Kushner. The award is presented to organizations and individuals who exemplify the values held dear by Judge Cardona, including: integrity, service, and commitment to justice.
“St. Catherine’s was an easy choice to receive the Cardona Award,” said Hon. Susan M. Kushner. “St. Catherine’s exemplifies, through its services and support to children and families, the principles that Judge Cardona stood for throughout his extraordinary service on the bench. St. Catherine’s has been a true partner to Albany County Family Court’s initiatives, including its supervised parenting visitation program.”
The willingness of St. Catherine’s Center for Children to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support human service needs, throughout the region, by providing a comprehensive range of services designed to offer hope, foster growth and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve. For more information, http://www.st-cath.org.
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