Reaching Out To The Community For Support
Hoosick Armory, Youth Center, and Community Coalition (HAYC3) never envisioned it would be where it is today. According to a letter from the HAYC3 Board Members to the community and beyond, “HAYC3 is facing an unprecedented financial challenge that is forcing us to make decisions we never imagined we would face just a year ago. If HAYC3 intends to survive this difficult time and continue our invaluable services to the community of Hoosick Falls, especially for our youth and their families, and continue to house several key businesses within the Armory, we’re going to need a significant financial boost—and now!”
That is the first paragraph of a press release sent out this past Friday, December 14, by HAYC3 Director Aelish Nealon, who said the letter goes on to explain how HAYC3 got to this point, what it plans to do, and how the community benefits from the organization. Some of the increasing expenses are the physical demands of the 130-year old armory, as well as unplanned expenses and continuing damage as the result of the extensive flooding in July of 2017. They are also facing reductions in grants and other sources of funding, like many other non-profits and charities.
In its appeal letter, HAYC3 sets three goals, two of which are immediate. The first is to receive an infusion of $25,000 by January 1, 2019, to offset deficits, and secondly, to raise an additional $35,000 by April 1, 2019, to keep up with higher heating costs and maintain its after-school and vacation camps, as well as other community events. The longer-term goal, with the help of community leaders and supporters, is to restructure and revitalize HAYC3 in ways that allow the organization to raise $75,000 or higher annually to remain sustainable and to bring new and different kinds of programming to the community and tenancy to the Armory.
The appeal letter also states HAYC3 knows it’s not the only organization feeling a pinch right now and it can’t predict what of its services and programs can be saved in 2019, but it adds, “We promise we want to save them all.”
Kevin O’Malley is a member of the Hoosick Falls Village Board. He tells The Eastwick Press, “HAYC3 stepped up when the building’s fate was in jeopardy and turned the building into a great community asset. Many important community events including informational programs on the water crisis and blood testing and the after school programs are also important to many families in the community. It’s my hope we as a community can help raise the funds needed to get the program back on strong financial footing.”
The Appeal Letter goes on to say “Community is at the heart of HAYC3, and it does ‘take a village’ to keep HAYC3’s mission alive.” Contributions are encouraged at any level and can be made online with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account at HAYC3.org/donate. If sending a check is preferred, it should be made payable to HAYC3 and sent to HAYC3, PO Box 492, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090. All donations are tax-deductible.