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January 2026 eNewsletter
Letter from Our New Executive Director
Dear Volunteers and Friends,
I’m honored to write to you as the incoming Executive Director of CAPTAIN Community Human Services.
Like many of you, my relationship with CAPTAIN CHS is deeply personal. I first became involved as a CAPTeen volunteer while I was still in high school. As a teenager, I didn’t yet have language for what I was learning, but I felt it. I felt the power of showing up for one another, the quiet dignity of being seen, and the belief that community is strongest when no one is left behind. That experience shaped who I am, and it planted a seed that has stayed with me ever since.
Over the years, I’ve returned to CAPTAIN CHS in different roles, such as a board member, Treasurer, and volunteer. In those roles, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside staff, volunteers, and supporters who bring heart, skill, and perseverance to this work every day. I’ve seen firsthand how your generosity translates into warm meals, safe shelter, steady guidance, and moments of hope for children, families, seniors, and neighbors facing some of life’s hardest seasons.
At different points in my life, I’ve been drawn to a simple truth often attributed to Fred Rogers: when the world feels overwhelming, look for the helpers. CAPTAIN CHS is a community of helpers. And more than that, it’s a place that reminds us that the true measure of a healthy society is how we care for one another, especially those who are struggling, vulnerable, or unheard.
I step into this role with deep respect and gratitude for Andy Gilpin’s leadership and legacy. Andy has guided CAPTAIN CHS through growth and change while keeping staff, volunteers, and those we serve at the center of every decision. I’m thankful for his mentorship, his continued involvement, and the strong foundation he leaves behind.
As Executive Director, my commitment is simple and steady: to support our exceptional staff, to strengthen programs that meet real and evolving community needs, and to steward this organization with integrity, compassion, and care. Change can bring uncertainty, but our values of dignity, equity, self-determination, and community will remain our compass.
I believe deeply in the idea that none of us does this work alone. CAPTAIN CHS exists because people like you choose to give your time, your resources, and your trust. Whether you volunteer, donate, advocate, or simply believe in this mission, you are an essential part of the CAPTAIN CHS family.
Please feel free to reach out to me at 518-399-4624 or scott@captaincares.org. I would welcome the opportunity to connect, listen, and learn from your ideas and hopes for our shared future.
Thank you for walking alongside CAPTAIN CHS's past, present, and future. I am grateful and excited to continue this work together, lifting people up and building brighter futures, one relationship at a time.
With appreciation,
Scott DeMarco Executive Director (Effective January 5, 2026)
Goodbye to 2025: Our Year in Review
CAPTAIN CHS has been hard at work all year to ensure all of our 30+ programs make an impact and positively affect our local community. Check out what we've been up to!
3,021 orders filled for families in need through our food pantry
43 youth housed in our Runaway Youth Shelter
84 youth safely exited the streets
44 households aided in avoiding eviction or finding new housing
2,155 new intakes for individuals facing financial crisis
12,949 free summer meals served
103 referrals to Safe Harbour Anti-Trafficking program with 40 cases of confirmed trafficking
567 Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets given out
73,923 miles driven in support of local seniors
...But We Couldn't Have Done It Without YOU!
38,240 hours of service provided by over 400 active volunteers
602 tax returns prepared by volunteers through VITA
869 hours of service provided by our CAPteen volunteers
155 coats donated for children and families in need
148 youth provided with school supplies
Almost 100 events hosted by others to benefit CAPTAIN CHS
COUNTLESS donations to the food pantry, CAPTAIN's Treasures Thrift Shop, and holiday programs
Dine Out for a Good Cause: Upcoming Food Fundraisers to Attend
Let CAPTAIN CHS help you avoid doing the dishes a few times this month by participating in our scheduled fundraising nights at local restaurants. All of the fundraising nights listed to the right allow for you to either dine in or carry out and provides CAPTAIN CHS with up to 20% of the proceeds! Click on the restaurant names to the right to get all the info you need to participate! We hope you attend to support us!
WE DID IT! We're one of Times Union's Big $100k Giveaway Winners!
WE DID IT! Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us these past few weeks for Times Union's Big $100k Giveaway. With your help we were one of the organizations that won $10,000 worth of free advertising for 2026. We are so honored to be able to use this grant money to better reach the people that need us in our community. Thank you to our amazing supporters, Times Union, and MVP Healthcare for sponsoring us in this endeavor!
Let CAPTAIN's Treasures Thrift Shop Help You Shine: Two Ways to Repurpose Used Jewelry!
Along with all the other wonderful donations that make up CAPTAIN's Treasures Thrift Shop, the store is always stocked with beautiful rings, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and more. Not a wearer of jewelry? We've got you covered! We have two craft ideas where you can repurpose those shiny pieces that catch your eye.
Make a bookmark! All you need is about 12 inches of sturdy ribbon or fabric, a ribbon clamp, pliers, a split ring, and your chosen piece of jewelry! We recommend a brooch or a large statement earring. When you have your fabric cut to your desired length, secure a ribbon clamp to one end using pliers. Finally, attach your piece of jewelry to the clamp using your pliers and a split ring. On the opposite end, make sure you prevent future fraying by using a second clamp, sewing the end over, or using some type of fabric sealant.
Make statement artwork! All you need is a canvas/item you are attaching the design to, jewelry adhesive or super glue, and your jewelry pieces. Think of what design you want to create (such as the picture bouquet below, an animal, a landscape scene, whatever will match your space!) and gather whatever pieces of jewelry you'll need. With your canvas lying flat, lay out your design without glue first so you can move pieces around until you have a final look you're happy with. Next, use your adhesive to secure each piece down. P.S.- looking for inspiration? Next time you're at CAPTAIN's Treasures, look behind the front counter and see a jewelry design made by a friend of CAPTAIN CHS!
New Ways to Give: Qualified Charitable Distribution
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows IRA owners aged 70.5 or older to donate up to $108,000 directly from their IRAs to eligible charitable organizations, without incurring adverse federal tax income consequences.
"What are the benefits of an IRA QCD?" The IRA QCD provision can help you bolster your legacy and leave a lasting impact for CAPTAIN CHS, while reducing your taxable estate. The amount of your transfer would not be subject to income tax. Additionally, you can have the added satisfaction of knowing that CAPTAIN CHS would receive the full amount, with no tax cost to you or us.
"Is transferring money from an IRA to a charity right for me?" This is completely up to you and your trusted financial advisor. Qualifications to give in this way are:
you are 70.5 years of age or older
you expect to leave funds in your IRA to your heir(s)
you take the standard deduction when calculating your taxes
You are interested in donating to charity and want to make a lasting impact
Learn more about Qualified Charitable Distributions by speaking with your trusted financial or tax advisor.
TrueSongs 2025: Rebecca Lefevre's Story of Resilience and Growth
CAPTAIN CHS had the distinct honor to be featured in Caffe Lena's 2025 TrueSongs event. We were featured in Rebecca Lefevre's story, turned into a beautiful song by Emily Barnes. Rebecca's story starts with:
"Something went wrong, I got off track somewhere, life had beaten me down"
And beautifully, ends with:
"I was able to rent my house...I have finished probation...I'm two and a half years sober"
"I continue to move forward. It's still a struggle. I find that in even your darkest hours it eventually passes and I just keep putting one foot in front of the other"
Why Do You Volunteer with CAPTAIN Community Services?
We recently asked our volunteers why they volunteer with CAPTAIN CHS, and we received the most amazing responses. We're so grateful to have so many dedicated individuals that make our organization thrive!
"I often reflect on what I would do if faced with many of the challenges that are a part of our clients' daily lives...who would I reach out to? How would I provide for my family? Who would help me to learn the skills needed to find a job to support my family? CAPTAIN CHS does ALL of this and so much more and THAT is why I am happy to be a part of the CAPTAIN CHS family of volunteers. It is truly a privilege to be able to help."
--Patricia Novo, volunteer for annual Gala
"(I volunteer to) give back to community and to the seniors who are so often overlooked. They have stories and they matter."
--Colleen Parisi, volunteer for Care Links
"I believe in our mission and the amazing volunteers who partner with a great staff who help us carry it out day after day."
--Thomas Reddy, volunteer for CAPTAIN's Treasures, Food Pantry, Cheryl's Lodge, and Supportive Housing
We love our volunteers and thank them greatly for all they do. More volunteer stories and quotes will be shared in our next eNewsletter!
Filling Shelves and Hearts: A Season Filled with Food Pantry Donations
With food insecurity hitting an alarming rate in the fall of 2025, our food pantry was serving more families and individuals than usual. YOU, our wonderful community, saw this increase in need and stepped up! In the past 4 months of the year, we had countless donations to our food pantry and dozens of food drives hosted by local people and businesses. We truly couldn't have met the needs of the community without all the support and action from others.
Get a glimpse at some of the food drives and donations:
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