Volunteers are vital to our success. We are especially grateful for a recent project done by a volunteer that improved our food pantry. The Unity House food pantry has shelving units stocked with food. It’s a busy space, processing about 2200 pounds of food each month. One shelving unit holds non-food items on the bottom shelf… more
On eve of Super Bowl Weekend, student athletes from Lansingburgh High School visit children at A Child’s Place at Unity House In what has become an annual tradition, students from Lansingburgh High School’s football team visited Unity House’s preschool program in Troy. It was so much fun making crafts, like pom poms, to cheer on… more
Perhaps you’ve heard that Troy’s TJ Maxx moved to a new location. They moved from Vandenburgh Ave, across from HVCC, to a bit further south, to the new Van Rensselaer Square shopping plaza where the Shoprite is. (Conveniently, there is a Homegoods next door.) The new store is lovely and larger than the previous one…. more
The Albany Times Union’s Best Of competition is ending soon! Consider a vote for ReStyle, the Unity House store, and help our shop earn broader recognition. You can find ReStyle under the thrift shop category, in the Goods and Services section of the options. Look for ‘Best Secondhand Store’ and note that the nomination period is… more
One of only three awards granted in U.S. Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services program, which offers comprehensive services to victims and survivors of dating and domestic abuse, will receive the Roth Award from The Mary Byron Project. The Roth Award from the Mary Byron Project was created specifically for programs that address the needs of underserved populations…. more
It was one of those bitterly cold days where you could feel the extreme weather in your bones. A guest, we’ll call him Joe, had walked to Unity House like many of our guests do. Joe was greeted at the Front Desk of our community resource center at 2431 6th Avenue in Troy by Pauline… more
Unity House’s community meal serves as many as 200 guests at times. It’s hard work that is the result of the efforts of staff, volunteers, food donations, purchased food, and lots of teamwork. Also helpful are interns. Local students who come from various colleges spend time working at Unity House as interns. Unity House benefits from their help, while… more
A woman we’ll call Vanessa came to Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services program. She was a young woman, married and living in Troy. Vanessa found herself in an abusive relationship. Her husband was dominating and controlling every aspect of her life: how she spent her time, what she wore, and even what she could have to eat… more
Did you know victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking are sometimes forced by their abusers to receive brands or tattoos? The ink or brand becomes a permanent symbol of ownership and control. In these situations victims often don’t know what to do and may feel shame in seeking help and recovery. A young woman… more
Quality = Dignity People living with food insecurity need access to quality, nutrient-dense food. That can be a challenge for food pantries and soup kitchens who rely on donations. As much as we try to make visiting a food pantry a ‘shopping’ experience where one can exercise choice, the supplies are limited. It’s not like shopping in the… more