Season’s Greetings,  

This festive time of year, my family and I enjoy watching as many Christmas movies as we can. One of our all-time favorites, especially for my kids, is “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” as it centers around Charlie's quest to uncover the true meaning of the holiday. A particular line from this cherished cartoon always makes me smile. When Linus wraps his blue blanket around the base of Charlie Brown’s tree, he remarks, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe, it just needs a little love.”

Like this sparse, small tree, the children we serve are judged at first glance. And because of this, most people don’t expect that they will succeed in life. Yet each one of them has so much to contribute to the world. But, just like Charlie Brown’s tree, they need kindness, encouragement, and love to thrive.

The children in our community embody a rich tapestry of cultures, races, ethnicities, belief systems, and personalities. Unfortunately, many of these children are classified as at risk due to their challenging circumstances. Many of our members come from low-income households, with 90% living below the poverty line. The most heartbreaking aspect of our community is the number of children who feel unwanted simply because they lack the right clothing or don’t fit into certain social groups. They experience loneliness and crave attention from others. This is why we are here, underscoring the importance of the Youth Center's existence.

Our organization has committed itself to advancement in various ways and has seen remarkable growth over the past year. We have made notable progress in empowering and uplifting the youth within our community. Below are some key highlights of our achievements:

•      Hosted a successful Hollywood-themed fundraiser, which was a tribute to our Golden Age as we celebrated 56 years of serving the community.

•      We’ve reached more children, enhanced the quality of our programs, and worked diligently to address the essentials of our kids—those in your community who are in urgent need. These young individuals will shape the future of our area.

•      We experienced significant staff growth in professional development, participating in training on topics such as youth development, social-emotional learning, mental health, crisis intervention, and more.

•      Launched our Building Resilience Initiative, which is critical to the children that serve because it focuses on empowering them to improve their social, emotional, and mental health.

•      Brought in guest speakers to educate kids on various professions and how to make those career paths an actuality.

•      Secured partnerships with well-known brands such as BOMBAS and Thrive Causemetics.

•      Honored by The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce as a 2024 Small Nonprofit Business Nominee.

•      We continued to develop and evolve our programs, engaging kids in innovative and intriguing ways.

As I look back on this year, I’m so thankful for our tremendous staff. They are present daily for our kids, show immense patience and empathy, and move mountains for each child in our community. The Youth Center is also fortunate to have a Board of Directors comprised of compassionate individuals who care deeply about our cause. I am thankful for their dedication.

 Looking ahead, we recognize that challenges remain. Many young people still face barriers to education, mental health resources, and safe spaces. Your continued support is vital as we strive to provide comprehensive services and expand our reach.

Let me take you on a journey back in time—specifically, twenty-five years ago—when the Youth Center was situated on Warren Street. I was just 8 years old, and our current building was merely a beautiful vision held by a man who believed that the children in our community deserved more. That man was my father, Matt Congdon. Unbeknownst to him, there was an empty lot at the corner of Mission and Montcalm Street, waiting patiently for us to transform it into our permanent home.

Even as a young girl, I fondly remember heading to the Youth Center every day after school. I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging and tranquility when I stepped through those doors. Children dashed and played in every corner of the space. On Warren Street, kids had to eat, play, study, socialize, and craft all in one room. To say the area was cramped would be an understatement. The building itself was aging and worn down, yet it was still an upgrade from the dark, confined space of the Youth Center's previous location on Elm Street. Despite its lack of charm, the center was filled to capacity with countless children each evening. Amidst all the activity, my dad shone brightly, radiating hope to the kids around him. Unsurprisingly, people affectionately called him the "pied piper," noting that "wherever he went, the kids followed." His charisma was captivating, and his witty sarcasm filled the room with joy and laughter for everyone who encountered him. His counsel was always precisely what you needed to hear. His relentless commitment to advocating for our children was unparalleled, and his faith remained steadfast. As for his style—featuring cut-up tank tops, basketball shorts, high-top sneakers, and a thick, strawberry-blonde mustache—it can only be summed up in one word: iconic.

He launched a capital campaign that year, with just eight months to achieve his goals. Throughout that time, I witnessed him put in tireless effort, pushing himself to the limit. Despite his fatigue, he remained unwavering in his mission to secure the funds needed to relocate the children to a center they could take pride in—a sanctuary that would serve as a lasting refuge amid life's challenges.

On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, my dad and my uncle, Bob Congdon, smiled for photos with their golden shovels. I vividly recall gazing at the dirt, wondering how the finished building would turn out. Gradually, our structure took shape. When the gymnasium was finally completed, I remember walking in with my dad, filled with wonder. “We’re going to play so many games in here, Kiddo,” he said, beaming. He then handed me the ball and encouraged me to take the first shot. Ironically, that dream never materialized. My dad's health began to decline dramatically on the day of the grand opening, and he never got to play a single game on that court. However, he would have been the first to say that witnessing generations of children compete, laugh, learn, and grow on that court was more than enough for him.

 Experiencing the entire journey of the Youth Center's construction was a true privilege that will stay with me forever. Growing up within its walls profoundly influenced my life. During this time, I realized my father was the person I aspired to emulate the most. Even now, he remains my greatest source of inspiration.

Now, a quarter of a century later, I am embarking on my own capital campaign to further the vision my father dedicated himself to achieving. I truly need your support. 

To successfully further our mission, we are now concentrating on expanding our facility to create a Wellness Center. This initiative will allow us to greatly improve both our Health and Wellness Program and our Education Program. The youth we serve are the future leaders who will significantly impact the quality of life in our community. To support their development into productive adults, we must motivate them today. This capital campaign is estimated to need approximately $900,000 in addition to the funding required to sustain our operations throughout the year. Our goal is to commence construction in June 2025.

The expansion of our Health and Wellness Program with this Wellness Center will prioritize fun and engaging ways for kids to move their bodies. Nowadays, children and teens spend significantly more time sitting, often dedicating hours each day to screens—smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, and gaming systems—leaving them with limited opportunities for physical activity. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that school-aged children (7 to 17 years old) engage in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. However, not every child is a sports enthusiast. Therefore, we need to get creative and find enjoyable ways for every child to be active, benefiting their physical, mental, and emotional health.

At the Youth Center, we firmly believe that education is the foundation of future success. We continuously strive to enhance our educational program, making it more engaging and beneficial for our members. We actively seek out innovative ways for our children to develop and learn through exciting STEAM games, activities, and projects. Our aim is to prepare kids for the careers of tomorrow by tackling systemic inequalities. This expansion will enable us to establish a fantastic Wellness Center while significantly increasing our educational offerings.

 What used to be our study room—a tranquil area for children to do homework and receive tutoring—has now been inundated with hygiene products and essential items like socks, clothing, feminine products, and school supplies since the onset of the pandemic. While these items are vital, the kids no longer have that peaceful environment to focus on their studies. This expansion will restore that much-needed space. It will also allow us to repurpose our current weightlifting area (as all machines will move to the Wellness Center) to create a dedicated STEAM area. This is incredibly exciting for us and long overdue! The new space will accommodate VR headsets, iPads, and Chromebooks, enabling children to log into their school accounts and complete assignments as required. 

Our community-focused nonprofit is making a meaningful difference for the future by fostering enduring relationships built on trust with children. This creates a ripple effect that can drive significant systemic change. Smaller organizations like ours are essential in addressing community challenges and personally transforming the lives of those we support.

 Today, I encourage you to help us enable this expansion for our incredible kids. Donations can be made on our website or by sending a check to our mailing address at  P.O. Box 469 Glens Falls, NY 12801.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for being an integral part of our community. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and joyful holiday season.

Sincerely,
Molly Congdon-Hunsdon 

Executive Director