About Johnson Park Center

Mission Statement

JCTOD Outreach, Inc. dba Johnson Park Center (JPC) is a faith-based non-profit organization that promotes positive change, revitalization, and community development in the heart of Cornhill, the poorest neighborhood in the City of Utica, New York. We provide emergency and supportive housing for women, children, and families, as well as a range of community-based support services in the areas of nutrition, recreation, mentoring, and advocacy. Our programs build hope and empowerment, and help individuals become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community.

26 -28 Johnson Park: Multipurpose Community Use Building

Children/Youth Center

School Year: Tuesday - Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Summer (July and August): Tuesday - Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Programs and services include:

• After School Program, Education, Recreation, Youth Feeding
• Program, Youth Block Association and Youth Voice
• Initiative (Leadership Development), Prevention Programs.

Youth Center/ Basketball-Playground Program

This program is designed to address the need of wholesome recreation by providing a youth center and a neighborhood basketball playground. The program will also provide the necessary discipline for the youth to help them to aspire to achieve positive life goals. The staff and volunteers serve as positive role models and mentors for the children, especially to the critical high-risk population – minority youth from single parent families whose incomes are below the poverty line.

1402, 1404, 1406, 1409-1411 West Street & 26, 5 Johnson Park: Program Sites

Available services include Mentoring/Tutoring; Community Needs Training / Workshops; Family Empowerment & Prevention Programs; Nutrition Education; Let's Grow Community Garden; Community Advocacy; Preparation Classes for Employment & Job Club, and Mentoring/Life Coaching for Ex-Offenders.

Food Pantry

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The Pantry is available to the community to provide food for the hungry and underprivileged, the less fortunate and the working poor.

Emergency Family Shelter

Year Round Availability

The Family Shelter provides up to 18 beds for homeless women with children and traditional and non-traditional small and very large families. The Department of Social Services will refer eligible homeless clients, who must qualify as low income.

15, 16, 18, 19 Johnson Park, 201-203 Square St. – Permanent Supportive Housing

For homeless families and children that needs continual support services. Johnson Park Apartments (JPA) has 15 housing options with 4, 3, 2, 1-bedroom apartments / handicap accessible.

New Project:

1414 & 1420 West Street for single homeless women with special needs without children.