Moved in

JCTOD Outreach, Inc. (JCTOD) moved into 26 Johnson Park-Cornhill Utica, NY 13501.

Outdoor basketball playground opened

JCTOD opens the warm season outdoor neighborhood basketball playground providing a safe place for many neighborhood youth and sponsoring wholesome activities during the summer months with a snack with a in-kind labor, donations, from the community with substantial renovations of 26 Johnson Park & installation of the new Basketball Playground. Oneida County Youth Bureau gave JCTOD its 1st Youth Program Grant.

Permanent supportive housing grant received

JCTOD is awarded a grant from the New York State Housing and Homeless Assistance Program (HHAP), City of Utica, Enterprise Foundation & Community Foundation to develop Permanent Supportive Housing for low-income homeless women and families with special needs.

Transitional housing program opened

JCTOD opened a transitional housing program for women with substance abuse/mental health disabilities who desired to be re-united with their children at 1402 West Street.

Two properties acquired

JCTOD also took title of 17 Johnson Park from the City of Utica to be used as a part of the JPA I project, and 1406 West Street which is an overflow play area for the Youth Center.

Food Bank of Central NY membership

JCTOD became a member agency of Food Bank of Central NY and we re-located the Food Pantry moved to 1404 West Street. The JCTOD Food Pantry was and is the only facility in the City of Utica open in the evenings.

CDBG grant received

JCTOD received its first City of Utica Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for our Youth Program.

Leadership Development Training started

JCTOD introduced to the Community at the Johnson Park Christmas in April 2001 the start of its Leadership Development Training for youth ages 9-14. The “Youth Voice Initiative” encourages and trains young people to speak up and be leaders and positive role models. The Youth Voice Initiative encourages other youth not to use tobacco, illegal drugs, or alcohol and to resist crime, not to become members of gangs and youth violence.

Utica’s First Youth Block Association pioneered

Working with the Homeownership Center Weed and Seed Program, JCTOD pioneers Utica’s First Youth Block Association, which empowers youth to be actively involved in the revitalization of their neighborhood. JCTOD is named the Youth Safe Haven for this comprehensive community crime prevention strategy. We also partnered to further develop the JPC Youth Voice Initiative Program.

Oneida County’s first family shelter opened

JCTOD opens Oneida County’s first family shelter, where traditional and non-traditional low-income families can be referred by the Oneida County Department of Social Services to stay together during a crisis. We accept families of any composition.

Six housing units developed

JCTOD receives additional support from the City of Utica, Bank of Utica & Community Foundation to develop 6 more units (JPA III) located 16 Johnson Park – 18 Johnson Park and 201 Square Street.

Cornerstone Community Church parternship

Cornerstone Community Church (CCC) of New York Mills partnered with JCTOD to reach out to the poor & needy in the Cornhill/Utica with their 1st of many projects with the installation of a kitchen on the 2nd Floor on 1402 West Street for the Emergency Family Shelter.

Family transportation services offerred

JCTOD begins offering transportation services for families to help remove barriers to treatment, family reunification, and dealing with the smaller needs of daily life.

Youth Program grant received

JCTOD received its first grant from the United Way of Greater Utica for our Youth Program.

JPA II opened

JCTOD is pleased to announce the opening of JPA II, located at 15 Johnson Park, with a gala event and ribbon cutting.

Family Specialist Development Program started

With support from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the United Way of Greater Utica, JCTOD begins to offer a Family Specialist Development Program, working with the residents of JPA to reach out and strengthen families, build home living skills, and prevent family violence and neglect.

NYS HHAP grant received

JCTOD receives a grant from the NYS HHAP, City of Utica & Enterprise Community Partners to create 8 one-bedroom, and/or efficiency units to provide permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless women without children who have mental health as a primary disability. This program will reach out especially those living in shelters, hotels/motels, recently released out of jail and living on the streets. It will be known as JPA IV.

DBA of “Johnson Park Center” adopted

JCTOD Outreach, Inc. officially adopts the DBA of “Johnson Park Center” (“JPC” for short) to clarify for a wider audience our mission, values, and service area, as well as to emphasize our separation from the JCTOD Church (The Lord Jesus Christ Tabernacle of David, Inc.)

Community Housing Development Organization designation

JPC was designated as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). JPC purchased with a grant from the City of Utica Home Program, 1420 West Street and 210-212 Arthur Street. This was a major victory as, finally the slumlord, drug dealers and gang leaders no longer lived on that corner. Two years earlier there were two young men killed at 1420 West Street. We hope that this corner will now change to be a place of hope.

JPC Community Service Award received

Ms. Lori D. Dougall, a JPA Two-year Alumni Graduate received the 1st JPC Community Service Award.

Community Impact Award received

JPC received the “Community Impact Award” from the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties and was funded with 8 passengers & 15 passengers Van.

Second Community Service Award received

Ms. Joyce Grenicko, OC Title V Senior Worker & JPC volunteer received the 2nd JPC Community Service Award.

Hage & Hage partnership & Green LEED certified

JPC received working in partnership with Hage & Hage, Green Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Consulting Services and C. Lewis Tomaselli Architects a planning grant from the Community Foundation to create & develop the JPC Green Community Project Master Plan that includes Multi-Purpose Childcare & Family Center, the Energy Technology & Maintenance Facility and all JPC properties become Green LEED Certified.

NYS HHAP grant received for JPA V

JPC received a grant from the NYS HHAP, City of Utica & Enterprise Community Partners to create 8 one-bedroom, and/or efficiency units to provide green LEED Certified permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless women without children who have mental health as a primary disability. This program will reach out especially those living in shelters, hotels/motels, recently released out of jail and living on the streets. It will be known as JPA V.

First wedding at JPC

JPC held its 1st Wedding in Johnson Park with the Bride Ms. Melissa Green a JPA Program Participant walking down the sidewalk to the Fountain to the Groom, Mr. Christopher Prest on Sunday August 1st to become man & wife. Mr. & Mrs. Prest reception was incorporation with the JCTOD Church 15th Anniversary Celebration with Dinner, Meeting and Gospel Concert.

2nd HUD CoC SHP grant received

JPC received its 2nd HUD CoC SHP to serve JPA V Chronically Homeless Single Females without children.

JPA V groundbreaking & ribbon-cutting

JPC had the groundbreaking ceremony for JPA V and a ribbon-cutting event for a new home built with donations & kind-in labor from businesses, contractors, organizations and individual supporters from the ground up built by through the leadership & giving of the Robert Esche Save of the Day Foundation for JPC CEO/Founder & JPC COO.

Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams on staff

Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and President and Clinical Director of ADAD & Autism Psychological Services and Advocacy (AAPSA) agreed to and is currently on the JPC staff as at the JPC Director of Clinical Operations & NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Director.

Food Pantry grants received

JPC received special Food Pantry grants from the Community Foundation & United Way to feed the hunger and food in-security of the working poor.

JPC Express E-newsletter mailed

We began on a regular mailing of The JPC Express E-newsletter focused on keeping our partners & friends informed as well as highlighting all of the positive changes that continues to happen at JPC.

22nd Anniversary Proclamation Award received

JPC and Resource Living of Independent Living (RCiL) received the American with Disabilities (ADA) 22nd Anniversary Proclamation Award from the City of Utica.

2nd Wedding in Johnson Park

JPC & Cornerstone Community Church was honored and privileged to sponsor & officiate at the 2nd Wedding in Johnson Park for JPA Two-year Alumni Graduate Ms. Lori Dougall and Luis Cruz on Fri July 27, 2012. The wedding reception was held on a JPC property on West Street beside the beautiful JPC Community Garden.

Ms. Antoinette Marie Carter passed away

Ms. Antoinette Marie Carter JPC 1st two year Alumni Graduate (Year 2005) of Johnson Park Apartments (JPA) died October 27, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 45 with heart problems and other medical complications. The Funeral Service was held on November 2, 2012 at the Nun & McGrath Funeral Home. JPC hosted the family & friend gathering afterwards at JPC Headquarters- Community Activities & Youth Center to share with a meal & fellowship together and to celebrate the life & memory of Ms. Carter.

Rapid Re-Housing Security Deposit Program administered

JPC administered the City of Utica Emergency Solutions Grant Rapid Re-Housing Security Deposit Program for Utica Homeless individuals & families.

3rd Wedding at JPC

This was the third time, the chimes of wedding bells rang in Johnson Park on Friday July 26, 2013 to the matrimonial vows taken by Ms. Laura A. Copperwheat, a JPA Two-year Alumni Graduate and Mr. Timothy Parry a JPC volunteer. As a part of their country-style theme wedding, after saying “I do”: the newly married couple rode on a farming tractor to wedding reception on West Street beside the beautiful JPC Community Garden.

6th JPC Community Service Award received

Mr. Tyrone Pitts a JPC Second Chance Graduate, JPC Staff member and volunteer serving as the Driver, Outreach, Security & Grounds Worker and Food Pantry Coordinator received the 6th JPC Community Service Award.

CNY Business Journal News Network and BizEventz Non Profit Career Achievement Award received

Rev. Dr. Scates received the CNY Business Journal News Network and BizEventz Non Profit Career Achievement Award.

2014 Community Service Award received

JPC 2014 Community Service Award was given to Ms. Doreen Ralph, graduate of the 2nd Chance Program and volunteer at the JPC Family Emergency Shelter.

Head, Hand, & Heart Family Enrichment Program opened

Grand Opening of JPC’s Head, Hand, & Heart (HHH) Family Enrichment Program at 26 Johnson Park 2nd Floor thanks to the Utica National Group Foundation Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties.

12th Annual Benefit Dinner Friday hosted

SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Psychology and Sociology Club in conjunction with the West Indian and African Club and the Veteran Club hosted its 12th Annual Benefit Dinner Friday at Daniele’s Banquet in New Hartford in honor of JPC’s constant commitment to positive change for the past 20 years! The total amount raised was $14,000.

Food Bank of CNY’s Community Impact Award received

JPC received Food Bank of CNY’s Community Impact Award.

Challenge the Process award received

Rev. Dr. Scates was one a honoree at the Leadership Mohawk Valley 25th Anniversary Celebration and received during the “Challenge the Process” award, in recognition of her hard work and dedication to the Johnson Park-Cornhill community over the past 20 years!

JPA VI grant funding received

JPC received grant funding from NYS Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and the City of Utica for JPA VI to create Eight Housing First Green-Platinum LEED Certified apartments for Special Needs Homeless Single Females.

John J. Wilma B. Sinnott Conservation Award received

JPC received the “John J. Wilma B. Sinnott Conservation Award” for its dedication to the Preservation of Earth Natural Resources with JPC Green LEED Initiative.

9th year JPC Community Service Award received

Ms. Susan Hendrickson, a Two-Year JPA Chronically Homeless Single Women Alumni Graduate, a Graduate and Coordinator of the 2nd Chance Program, the Events Administrative Coordinator and Statistic Administrator recieved the 9th year JPC Community Service Award.

1st Boilermaker Road Race participation

The first year that JPC participated in the Charity Bib and 4 runners run the 5k Boilermaker Road Race.

JPA VII HHAP award received

The brick and mortar application to HHAP for the JPA VII is being submitted and we received the award notification November 22, that we will receive $4,500,000 for the JPA VII project.

HCR funded submitted

The brick and mortar application to HCR has been submitted during the December month for the remaining funds towards the JPA VII project.