Goodbye and Thank You to Tim Kim

Over the past semester, RPI student, Timothy Kim interned at TRIP, and we would like to thank him for all of his hard work! Tim is a 5th year architecture student with a personal interest in sustainability. He helped with research for TRIP’s “Green” initiative as well as doing architectural drawings for current projects. In addition, Tim got to spend some time visiting North Troy expanding his knowledge while contributing his skills to improve the community.

About his experience Tim says… “As an intern with TRIP, I learned a lot about community development. Working at TRIP was different from reading development policies in class. From planning many community events with Hilary and Jeanette, I learned how to be part of the community. I fully understood how to be civic[ly] engaged and an effective citizen.”

Tim Kim, hard at work at TRIP

Community Leadership Institute, Cleaner and Greener Campaign

TRIP recently brought a group of North Central community leaders to a national Community Leaders Institute in Kansas City, MO.  The four-day NeighborWorks America–sponsored conference attracted more than a thousand residents who are committed to improving their neighborhoods, Troy’s team is now putting that new knowledge to work in North Central!  Partnering with School 2, they recently kicked-off a Cleaner and Greener Community Campaign.  The campaign will focus on beautifying the neighborhood through arts projects and anti-litter efforts including a mural along the front of School 2, raised flower beds, and painted trashcans.

From left:  Lynn DuBray, Davia Collington (Rensselaer County), Alysan Slighter, James Mayben, Hilary Lamishaw (TRIP), Priscilla McCauley, & Kim Mazor at the CLI Conference



Student art made from recycled materials at School 2 kick-off event, Dec 6.



2012 Rehab: 69 Middleburgh

Just as TRIP revitalized 2232 5th Avenue in 2011, we are doing it again in 2012, this time at 69 Middleburgh!

We know that the transformation of one building reaches much further than the space between walls. Such rehabilitations provide comfortable homes for families, but also lift morale, improve surrounding communities, and make for a better image of Troy.

Look for more information to come about 69 Middleburgh and for our ribbon-cutting in 2012!

Thank you to our 2011 Donors!

Season's Greetings    

As 2011 comes to a close TRIP would like to say "THANK YOU" to all of our generous supporters this year! With your help TRIP is able to rehabilitate blighted buildings, create and educate new homeowners, prevent foreclosures, make available high quality affordable apartments to families, provide home repairs to seniors, assist landlords, and support neighborhood groups.

TRIP is hugely proud of our local and regional successes, and we would not be able to do the work we do without our supporters. Your dedication to improving Troy and Rensselaer County results in healthier, happier communities, and is greatly appreciated.

If you have not yet joined our list of supporters, there is still time! Click here to become a helping hand in the future of Troy.

Thank you again to all of our 2011 donors! For a full list of those who have supported TRIP this year see below…

TRIP 2011 donors (through December 15):

Wallace and Jane Altes, Eric and Caroline Lee Anderson, Anonymous, Barbara Arakelian, architecture+, AJ Arpey, Steven Axelrod, Joseph and Barbara Baggott, Bank of America, Duncan Barnett, Lisa Barone, BBL Construction, C.T. Barnes, Judith A. Barnes, Susan Benjamin, Thomas Blandy, James Bouldin, Lee Boyle, Lynn Bradley, Chris Burke, Christopher Burton, Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari, Capital Bank, Karen Carlson, Choice Heating and Cooling, City Station, John Clancy, Alma and Joseph Clement, Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Community Works of New York, Bob and Robin Cuddy, Michael and Rebecca Danforth, Garrett and Shellie Degraff, DeFazio Imports, Hal Dethorne, Robert Doherty, Doug Dylla, Emma Willard School, Michael Esposito, Amy Facca and Frederick Cawley, Priscilla Fairbank and Owen Goldfarb, John Fetscher, First Niagara Bank, First United Presbyterian Church, Sid Fleisher, Joseph Fleming, Delkis Flores, Charles Freihofer, Jane Freihofer, Bob Gamble, Marie Gavazzi, Lynn Gelzheiser, Alan Goldberg, Sandy Gull, Eve and Kevin Halloran, Garrett Hamlin and Laura Ferris, Jonathan Harvey, David and Katie Haviland, Mary Hendricks, Steven Heyman, Barbara and Gary Higbee, Paul Hoagland, Alane and Paul Hohenberg, HSBC, H2H Associates, Honorable Kathy Jimino, E. Stewart Jones, Key Foundation, Lynn Kopka, Debra Kossar, Gwen Krause, Hilary Lamishaw, Larralda Limited Partnership, Bernice Ledeboer, Elizabeth and Dean Leith, Lomonaco Architects, Robert and Janet MacLasco, John Madden Jr., Patrick Madden, Joseph Mangione, Carmella Mantello, Marvin & Co, Norman Massry, Kim Mazor, Honorable Roy McDonald, Thomas McGuire, Honorable Steve McLauglin, John McLoughlin, Robert Mitchell, R. Mihran and Ovsanna Mooradian, M&T Bank, Stephen and Mary Muller, John and Kelly Murray, NBT Bank, Christine Nealon, Kevin and Pat O’Bryan, Katrina and David Pacheco, Theresa Page, Mark P. Pattison and Laura Amos, Nina Pattison, Laura Petrovic, Ruth and Bob Pierpont, Pioneer Bank, Francis Pitts, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, Rensselaer County IDA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dorothy Reynolds, Lou Rosamilia, Ken and Dorcas Rose, Michael Rynasko and Susan Troll, Ken Salzmann, SEFCU, Christopher Shaw and Bridget Ball Shaw, Patricia Shevy, Springwood Studio, Richard Sleeper and Jeannie Stiegler, State Farm, Dave Strack, David Swawite, TAP, Honorable Paul Tonko, Troy Living LLC, Troy Bike Rescue, Trustco Bank, Turner Construction Company, United Tenants of Albany, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Betsy Voss, Patty Williams, Wojeski and Co, Garland and Deborah Yates, and CKYoung.

Popular Troy Landlord Training Program is Back!

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, 5:30 - 9:30pm

@The Homeownership Center

Maximize your return. Minimize your aggravation.

Did you know that TRIP has trained over 1000 landlords in its popular Landlord Training Program? This informative class is designed for landlords of any size property, including owner occupied, both newbies and old-timers. The training  sessions are held two times each year. Participants learn best rental management practices in this four-hour session.  Hear from TRIP's Rental Management Director, one of Troy's community police officers, a code enforcement inspector, Rensselaer Polytecnic Institute, and United Tenants. Seating Limited. $15 materials fee includes a light dinner served.

Please register in advance.

 Learn about:

* EFFECTIVE TENANT SCREENING

* LEAD RULES & RESOURCES

* CODE ENFORCEMENT

* EVICTION PROCESS

* NUISANCE ABATEMENT  

*SMOKE FREE HOUSING and more... 

  To Register please call The Homeownership Center at 690-0020
or To register online, click here.

Goodbye and Thank You

Jeanette Nicholson

TRIP bids adieu - and thanks -- to Americorps*VISTA Volunteer Jeanette Nicholson.  We can hardly believe that Jeanette's one year position here ends this month; the year has definitely flown by!   Serving as TRIP's Outreach Worker, she has been so helpful in supporting various neighborhood groups, TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council), and the Vacant Properties Workgroup.  She worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the success of community events like North Central's National Night Out and Earth Day cleanups, Uptown's Harvest Festival, TRIP's Open House at 2232 5th Avenue and more. She was a frequent face in the neighborhoods as part of TRIP's commitment to community-building.

Hilary Lamishaw, TRIP's Director of Community Affairs, claims, "Jeanette has brought such value to TRIP with her passion for Troy's neighborhoods.  Yet what I'll miss most is her smile, enthusiasm and gentle nature.  She was really a pleasure to work with. We're lucky that Jeanette is a long-time homeowner in Troy. We know we'll be seeing her out and about in Troy!"

From all of us at TRIP:  "Thanks so much, Jeanette!  It's been great having you as part of our team."    

Two New Faces at TRIP

Joining the TRIP team this month are two new AmeriCorp VISTA Volunteers. Claire Pitts and Mary Rynasko will be spending the next year as an Outreach Support Worker and a Program Support Worker respectively.

But what is a VISTA Volunteer? AmeriCorps "Volunteers in Service to America" has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 45 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, volunteers create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

Mary

Mary Rynasko is a 2011 graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. At Skidmore, she studied studio art and sociology focusing particularly on her interests in textiles, drawing, and gender studies. Mary says, “I learned of the position at TRIP through a family friend and started the ball rolling from there. I’ve spent the last four years taking a lot of art classes but always with an eye on how my work speaks to larger social issues. Through my study of sociology, I have become acutely aware of my own privileges and hope that my past and future decisions will position me to use those privileges as a tool for advancing equality; those who can do—should.” If you are curious to see how Mary spent her time and what sort of art she made at Skidmore, feel free to visit marynasko.com!!

Claire

Claire Pitts is a recent graduate of Alfred University with an Interdisciplinary Art major and a Dance minor. Though she loved living in a small town for the last four years, she missed her home in Troy and found herself excited to return at the end of her senior year. Claire states, “There is a creative and innovative energy in Troy that refuses to fade. I became a VISTA to encourage that energy to grow! I grew up guided by parents who were always involved in local non-profits, and it rubbed off on me in a big way. This year, I am looking forward to acquiring a skill set that will be helpful to not-for-profits. Already, I am excited about seeing some of TRIP’s current plans come to fruition. Troy is a beautiful place and I’d love to help its residents feel good about living here!” Claire makes sound and performance art and specializes in site-specific, modern dance. She has no website, but can provide links to some pretty silly dances she’s taken part in.