In Tribute: Jean Cavallo (1932-2022) In 1978 Jean Cavallo came to work with Mary Jane Smith at Unity House. It was a challenging time for Jean: her husband had become disabled and she had four small children at home. Jean started as a bookkeeper, taking on tasks, doing whatever she could to support the mission…. more
Times Record newspaper article, August 4, 1973 By Mary Lou Sims, Lifestyle Editor From a 1973 Troy newspaper article we recently discovered: a piece on the late Mary Jane Smith who, along with the late Peter Callagahan and Regis Obijiski, founded Unity House in 1971. This article makes reference to the great needs at the… more
Annual holiday program helps over 1,500 children across Unity House programs There are toys, games, balls, books, boots, blankets, and jammies. With the help of many generous elves, Unity House’s Children’s Holiday Program helps children in need have a magical holiday. There are several ways to get involved: buys gifts or host a toy drive… more
Meet Unity House’s Assistant Director of the NYS Domestic and Sexual Assault Hotline and PREA Hotline Casey Helmer came to know Unity House when she accepted an internship in the Domestic Violence Services Program. A criminal justice major, Casey was interested in the intersection of intimate partner violence and the justice system. After receiving her… more
Advocate in Action Susan Shipherd came to know Unity House through her friendship with the late Mary Jane Smith and John Lyons. Susan believed in the social justice work the pair were engaged in. Susan and her husband Jim supported Unity House and other causes by attending events, volunteering, and asking others to support the… more
Rising Costs in Food & Fuel For families facing food insecurity, access to a food pantry and grab-and-go meals can be a lifeline. This is especially true when the impact of inflation has families making painful spending trade-offs: Do I pay the rent or fill the cupboards? Unity House is proud to partner with neighboring… more
Have you seen the Unity House Ambassadors in downtown Troy? Maybe you saw them helping out at Summer Square, the Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market, or directing visitors on their way to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Ambassadors are young adults enrolled in Unity House’s Community Ambassador Program. It is paid work that offers a… more
You can help with items our programs and guests need If you are a shopper, whether online or locally, you can help the people we serve. Check out our Wish List. We have more than one wish list, actually. What children need at A Child’s Place at Unity House is different from what adults need… more
Making a Place Feel Like Home It was an interaction with a small boy that made Tim Pascucci, Unity House’s Director of Food and Nutritional Services, appreciate the challenges and rewards of feeding children: Tim was serving dinner, one of three meals prepared each day at Sojourner Place, Unity House’s shelter for victims of domestic… more
New Leadership Last year, when Chris Burke announced his plans to retire, the all-volunteer board of directors at Unity House swung into action and started an extensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer. On Thursday, the board announced our new leader, David L. Bach. About our new CEO David served as Associate Commissioner of… more