In addition to our many ‘in-house’ missions at First, we also support a number of additional organizations who are doing good both near and far. Learn for about these organizations below.
Fowler Camp and Retreat Center
Fowler Camp and Retreat Center, commonly called “Camp Fowler,” is located on the shores of Sacandaga Lake near Speculator, NY, on property that was once an historic Adirondack great camp. Some of Camp Fowler’s buildings are prime examples of this unique Adirondack architecture.
Camp Fowler is owned and operated by the Regional Synod of Albany of the Reformed Church in America, and is a cooperative effort of the Reformed Churches of upstate and western New York. Camp Fowler has a year-round program of retreats and gatherings for adults, as well as a nine-week summer camping program for children, youth and families. Camp Fowler also provides times of retreat and programs of continuing education for the clergy of our synod. Consistories, youth groups and other church groups frequently use the camp’s several year-round buildings.
First Reformed Church of Scotia has long been an enthusiastic supporter and user of Camp Fowler. We consider Fowler an important part of our ministry. We encourage the parents of our church to supplement the Christian Education of their children and youth by sending them to Camp Fowler for a week in the summer. We help them do this by offering scholarships that cover part of each camper’s cost.
Learn more about the Fowler Camp and Retreat Center by visiting its website: http://www.campfowler.org/.
Joan Nicole Prince Home
The Joan Nicole Prince home provides a safe, comfortable and caring residence for people who have the fewest options and least amount of support during their final days. Over the course of one year, 15 to 20 people are expected to pass through its doors.
Volunteers and staff provide care 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week serving as “family” for residents of the home, which is located at 22 Glenview Drive in Scotia, New York.
The Joan Nicole Prince home works in collaboration with the Community Hospice to provide medical care for each individual. The love that fills this home is amazing and the love that has surrounded the home through the generosity of the community is awe-inspiring.
The people that enter the home change the lives of everyone who shares in this unique and special family. On the first day it opened, a small group gathered at the foot of a ramp leading into the home. Water was sprinkled on the doorway, marking the new beginnings of the home and its first resident. Words of thanksgiving were said, touching each heart. It was an emotional moment as members of Ms. B’s new family welcomed her. “A live alone” in Schenectady with no one to help her during her final few months, Ms. B was overwhelmed by the kindness and concern that greeted her.
On a morning one month later, Ms. B sat at the bright dining room table eating breakfast that the volunteers had prepared for her. She had the care and companionship that she lacked at home. She was safe, comfortable and secure. Every day she told the many volunteers who were now her family that she wished she could express in words the gratitude and love she felt in her heart for everyone at the Joan Nicole Prince Home.
In the room next to Ms. B, another volunteer was gently shaving the face of another resident. His wife of 72 years was expected in an hour and the team wanted him to look handsome for this visit. The tender care he receives from the volunteers is a testament to the love and compassion that fills each day at the home.
Please consider becoming part of our family through your time, treasure or talent.
Your support makes a difference two lives at a time. For more information, go to https://www.joannicoleprincehome.org/
Reformed Church in American Global Mission
First Reformed Church of Scotia in partnership with RCA church’s from across North America support the work of numerous missionaries through RCA Global Mission.
In addition to providing general support to RCA Global Mission, First Reformed Church of Scotia also directly support: Felipe & Janelle de Waard-Silva, and JJ & Tim TenClay.
Felipe & Janelle de Waard-Silva
Felipe and Janelle work with Roma youth in the Jiu Valley in Romania to build trust, perseverance, character, and courage through rock climbing. In a town where poverty forces many parents to move for work, this ministry provides youth an environment where they can experience safety and respect, develop life skills, pursue education, and come to know the love of Christ. Felipe and Janelle have also planted Anchor Church, which is building a strong core of disciples and hosting a diverse education program five days a week.
JJ & Tim TenClay
As Refugee Ministries Coordinator, JJ works with ministry partners locally, nationally, and globally to provide compassionate, Christ-like care for refugees and displaced people. She also educates individuals and congregations on global forced displacement and the people affected worldwide, and equips them to live out the biblical mandate to care for those seeking refuge.
Samaritan Counseling Center
The administrative office of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Capital Region is located in the former parsonage at First Reformed Church of Scotia. Founded in 1986, the counseling center is a private, not-for-profit agency that expresses the healing love of God by promoting psychological and spiritual health.
Among the many services offered are individual counseling for depression, anxiety, trauma and stress; marriage and family counseling; play therapy for children; career assessment; congregational consultation and mediation; and group therapy for survivors of domestic violence.
Every staff member is a licensed professional in fields such as clinical social work, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy and pastoral counseling.
The center also has offices in Albany County, Fulton County, Saratoga County and Schoharie County. To make an appointment, or for information about referrals, fees or insurance coverage, call 518-374-3514 or go to www.samaritancounselingcenter.org
Scotia Relief
Scotia Relief, a community organization that promotes the practice of
neighbors helping neighbors in the Scotia-Glenville community, provides
annual assistance to residents in need of daily living supplies. Assistance is
provided in the form of vouchers for resources including food, clothing,
heating fuel, and school supplies.
Community residents, business associates, church congregations, and local
organizations contribute to Scotia Relief in support of their neighbors. This
all-volunteer organization formed during the time of the Great Depression
and currently supports 50-60 families and residents annually.
If you need assistance and are a resident of the Scotia-Glenville School
District, please contact Christine Nofri at 518-382-1263 ext 51100.
Concerned for the Hungry
Concerned for the Hungry, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, non-profit organization working to fight hunger in Schenectady County. The organization is run strictly through volunteer efforts. CFH was started by a small group of individuals in 1979. It began with the realization that the need for emergency food was growing. After 44 years, CFH remains a leading force in providing essential food service programs throughout the county.
For more information visit: https://www.concernedforthehungry.org/
City Mission
City Mission of Schenectady, founded in 1906, is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Our ministries are seeking to comprehensively meet the needs of the poor in a manner that dignifies and strengthens the individual, the family, and the community.
Their goal is to provide not only HELP for today, but HOPE for tomorrow. We want to help people who are in need right now by meeting basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. Providing these life essentials are at the core of who we are.
In addition, our hope is that we can do more than just meet basic needs… we want to transform lives. Together, we can help people begin to dream again and think about what they want their future story to look like.
We help those future stories come true by providing spiritual guidance, counseling, training, classes, life and job skills training and so much more!
