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Troy Community Organizations

Oakwood community center

Oakwood Community Center (OCC) is a community-driven initiative nestled in the heart of Troy, New York, with a vision to transform strangers into neighbors and foster a sense of unity for the greater good. Established with a commitment to bringing residents together and forging connections among grassroots organizations, OCC operates from the historic Oakwood building, which serves as a beacon of hospitality and inclusivity.

OCC relies on donations from supporters, grants from local foundations and rental income from organizations who rent out space in our building and share our worldview.

The sustenance of OCC's endeavors is made possible through the generosity of supporters, grants from local foundations, and income generated from renting out spaces within the building to like-minded organizations. Central to the success of OCC are its dedicated volunteers, who form the backbone of the organization and drive its initiatives forward.

Grounded in a set of guiding values including diversity, neighborliness, hospitality, civic engagement, and social justice, OCC is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all who walk through its doors.

Mission

The mission is to bring neighbors together and build bridges among grassroots organizations in the city of Troy, New York. To support individuals who want to develop programming that focuses resources  in our neighborhood and would like help with space, resources or organizational development skills.

Activities

Programs and services are as followed:

The Food Pantry at Oakwood

Oakwood Techniques

Oakwood Free store

Long-term Rentals- Residency

Discover U performing Arts Program

Soul Café and Open Mic Night

History

The roots of OCC trace back [JC1] to the historic Oakwood Presbyterian Church, established in the 1860s as the first multiracial church in Troy. Following the church's closure in November 2010, a group of devoted individuals, including Linda O’Malley, Edna McCauley, and David Hains, recognized the importance of preserving the building's legacy. Through their tireless efforts, supported by a growing cadre of volunteers, the Oakwood building was transformed into a hub of community service, culture, education, and celebration.

In recognition of its historical significance, Oakwood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Subsequently, in 2020, Oakwood Community Center acquired ownership of the building, solidifying its commitment to upholding the values of service and community stewardship for generations to come.

Rensselaer Youth Outdoors

The Rensselaer Youth Outdoors (RYO) is a collaborative network of partners dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between the children and families of Rensselaer County and the natural world. Founded with the aim of instilling wonder, science, and adventure in nature, RYO seeks to cultivate a healthier and more sustainable community amidst the complexities of the modern world.

Activities

RYO offers a range of opportunities for parents, teachers, and young people alike, whether they are involved in school districts, youth organizations, or are simply passionate about supporting youth well-being. Since its establishment in 2016, RYO has implemented various initiatives tailored to the needs of the community, including school programs, afterschool activities, and customized educational experiences.

One notable endeavor is the "Schools Get Outside" program, which partnered with Averill Park and Berlin School districts on a two-year pilot program aimed at fostering outdoor exploration among third graders. Through hands-on experiences at locations such as Grafton Lakes State Park and Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, students engaged in activities related to fish ecology, animal adaptations, and the water cycle, enriching their learning beyond the confines of the classroom.

Additionally, RYO provides resources such as the Schoolyard Naturalist Teacher Kits, made possible by a generous grant from the USDA Forest Service. These kits, designed for K-8 students, include educational materials and tools focused on topics such as trees, birds, insects, and the Private Eye Curriculum, encouraging students to explore and investigate the natural world in their schoolyards and neighborhoods.

Troy bike rescue

Troy Bike Rescue (TBR) is a community initiative in North Central Troy dedicated to promoting cycling culture and providing accessible bicycle resources. Founded in 2001, TBR operates as a volunteer-run bicycle resource space with the goal of salvaging discarded bikes and reintroducing them to the community.

Mission

The organization's mission extends beyond simple repair and redistribution; it actively seeks to foster a sense of community and empowerment through hands-on education and engagement. TBR's efforts align with values such as community empowerment, youth engagement, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of alternative transportation methods.

Activities

TBR's commitment to community building is exemplified through its Youth Shop, which provides mentorship and positive after-school programming for young people, particularly those from North Central Troy. By utilizing the bicycle as a tool for connection and empowerment, TBR endeavors to combat societal challenges such as gun violence and provide a safe space for youth to learn and grow.

History

Since its inception, TBR has been a vital part of the North Central Troy community and the wider Capitol District. In 2011, the organization acquired its own building at 3280 6th Ave, which has served as its operational base ever since. Notably, TBR operates a retail pop-up located at 51 3rd St. in downtown Troy, offering a wider selection of professionally serviced and refurbished bikes, accessories, and parts. Proceeds from these sales contribute to the organization's youth and adult community programming and outreach initiatives.

With over two decades of experience, Troy Bike Rescue continues to serve as a beacon of community resilience and sustainable transportation advocacy in the neighborhood and Capitol Region. The organization welcomes individuals interested in contributing to its mission of building community and promoting cycling culture.

Collard City Growers ( CCG )

Collard City Growers (CCG) is a food justice arts and permaculture initiative situated on a once-abandoned lot within the Sanctuary's campus in North Troy.

Mission

This project aims to foster cultural and environmental regeneration within the post-industrial neighborhood. As a cornerstone of the NATURE Lab Initiative, Collard City Growers intertwines food justice and environmental justice, converting neglected spaces into edible landscapes that promote solidarity, learning, healing, and food autonomy.

Activities

CCG offers open hours on Fridays from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM during late spring, inviting volunteers to participate in tending, harvesting, and caring for the plants and land. These hours also provide an opportunity for individuals to engage in recreational activities amidst the greenery.

Collard City Growers has established an indoor workshop space, a classroom for environmental education initiatives, a seed library, and a drying facility for herbs. The project hosts workshops on various urban homesteading techniques, emphasizing topics such as growing, composting, chicken rearing, beekeeping, and seed saving. The addition of a hoop house allows for experimentation with alternative growing methods, such as raised beds, hydroponics, and aquaponics.

Collard City Growers extends beyond its original garden, transforming other vacant lots in North Central Troy into green spaces, including Freedom Square, Food Cycle, and L-lot. These spaces serve as venues for community engagement and education on topics related to food and ecology. Beyond providing nourishment to the community, Collard City Growers endeavors to facilitate personal growth by fostering skill acquisition, neighborly connections, and story-sharing to support community advancement.

History

Given North Central Troy's history of industrial pollution, Collard City Growers' programming serves as a platform for participants to learn about the area's environmental challenges and engage in ecologically revitalizing efforts. Over the past decade, CCG has evolved into a volunteer-run project where arts and culture converge with the cultivation of a diverse array of plants, including vegetables, medicinal herbs, natural dye plants, grains, and fruit trees. The project shares its harvest at neighborhood events and preserves surplus produce during off-seasons.

NATURE Lab (NL)

The North Troy Art, Technology and Urban Research in Ecology Lab, commonly referred to as NATURE Lab (NL), is a community health and urban ecology research initiative established by The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Originating in 2010 as a series of pop-up workshops and symposiums, alongside artist and scientist research residencies, NL has evolved into a permanent fixture at 3319 6th Ave. The initiative serves as a nexus connecting various community-focused entities, including the People’s Health Sanctuary and Collard City Growers.

Activities

The facility comprises a community biology lab on the first floor, where research pertaining to environmental justice, particularly in air, soil, and water, is conducted under the banners of the Air Justice Lab, Our Soil, and Water Justice Lab, respectively. The second floor houses a flexible community space, serving as the home for The People’s Health Sanctuary, which emphasizes holistic community well-being through mutual aid health practices.

Beyond its indoor facilities, NL's outdoor space features an evolving array of living sculptures and serves as a venue for outdoor learning. The addition of the Medicine Garden and Talking Circle further integrates NL into the broader campus through the Sanctuary Eco-Art Trail.

History

NATURE Lab's establishment was made possible through a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) grant, leading to the opening of its dedicated building in 2020. Throughout its decade-long evolution, NL has been guided by key figures including Kathy High, Branda Miller, and Steve Pierce, founders of The Sanctuary for Independent Media. Additional contributors such as Melissa Bromley, Xavier Coughlin, and JJ Luceno have played integral roles in the establishment of People’s Health Sanctuary. The design and construction of NL were made possible through the efforts of Barb Nelson, Joe Fama, David Downer, and with financial support from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

People’s Health Sanctuary (PHS)

People’s Health Sanctuary (PHS) is a community-led mutual aid health initiative, based in North-Central Troy. PHS is a space for gathering, sharing food, moving your body, working through grief, cultivating a sense of safety, and embodying a culture of care. We know deep in our bones, just as our ancestors did, that our individual and collective health are inseparable.

Our theory of change is based in racial and transformative justice to create a liberatory model of community health care for all. Our goal is to establish a central space to share health skills, provide basic integrative care, and explore ways to build networks of communal health.

We are located on the 2nd floor of the Sanctuary’s NATURE Lab building, at 3319 6th Ave, and recognize that we are embedded within the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people.

With the coming decades of radical change upon us, we propose fewer answers and more questions for how to reimagine a way of being. To do this, we begin by finding each other and, as the Zapatista maxim states, “Preguntando caminamos,” or, “walking while asking.”

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