| | | | | | | | What Is the Point-in-Time Count — and Why It Matters On Thursday, January 22, 2026, our Code Blue Coordinator, Natalie Maxwell, and Associate Executive Director, Stephanie Romeo, joined thousands of teams across the country to take part in HUD’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. | | | | The Point-in-Time Count is a nationwide effort led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that takes place every January. On a single day, volunteers and outreach workers conduct a person-by-person count of people experiencing homelessness in their communities. This count includes people staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as individuals living outdoors — in wooded areas, encampments, cars, or other public spaces where people are known to sleep. | | | | | | | | Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center: Mitten Tree Collection | | | | | | As the winter chill sets in, a warm pair of gloves or a thick pair of socks is more than just an item—it's a layer of protection, a gesture of care, and a reminder to our most vulnerable neighbors that they are not forgotten. From all of us at Shelters of Saratoga, we extend our deepest gratitude to Karen Verrigni and the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center for spearheading a beautiful community donation drive. Because of this initiative, and the overwhelming generosity of our neighbors, we are filled with gratitude for the abundance of mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks we have received. To every single person who contributed thank you. Your thoughtful donations provide essential warmth, comfort, and dignity to individuals and families in our community who are experiencing homelessness. This incredible outpouring of support truly reflects the heart of Saratoga, and we are so thankful to partner with you in this vital work. | | | | | | | | Mother Cabrini Health Foundation | | | | | | We are honored to announce we have been selected as a 2025-26 grantee of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. This grant is a direct investment in our frontline response. It will empower us to strengthen on-site health services and our direct care staff, allowing us to meet this rising tide of need with compassion. Addressing guest health is the essential first step toward stability and recovery. This funding directly fuels our mission: transforming the lives of our neighbors facing homelessness with supportive services, safe shelter, and a path to independence. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for this partnership and shared commitment to our community's health, dignity, and future. We are eager to put this grant into immediate action and will share updates on the impactful programs it supports. Thank you for being a steadfast part of our mission and our community of compassion. | | | | | | On behalf of Shelters of Saratoga, we are profoundly grateful to The Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund for its generous grant award and for its steadfast role as a philanthropic cornerstone in our region. This critical support underscores the vital truth that our community's quality of life is built upon such generous giving.
The grant award will be used to purchase food needed to feed individuals facing housing and food insecurity, allowing us to provide immediate, nourishing relief to our most vulnerable neighbors. We are honored to be a beneficiary of the ATC Community Fund's mission and thank them for their trust and investment in our work to serve the common good in Saratoga. | | | | | | | | Cheesecake for Charity: Olde Bryan Inn | | | | We are pleased that Olde Bryan Inn is including Shelters of Saratoga in their Cheesecake for Charity program for the next couple of months is in support of Code Blue. They will donate $2.00 from every slice sold to help us with providing shelter for those in need. Olde Bryan Inn is always honored to partner with us because they believe in our mission and that everyone deserves warmth, safety, and dignity especially in the coldest moments. "Grateful for all they do for our community! So, next time you are in for lunch or dinner, go ahead, have the cheesecake...there are no calories in a slice that supports such a great cause!" - Sully, owner of Olde Bryan Inn | | | | | | | | Give Back Program: Toga Nola | | | | | | | | Housing That Supports Stability | | Our Permanent Supportive Housing team operates as a dedicated and cohesive unit, united by a shared mission to provide stable, dignified homes and transformative support for our tenants. The strength of our program lies in the unique expertise and perspective each member brings, creating a holistic ecosystem of care. | | | | Case Manager Our Case Manager, Mahadhi, expertly balances compassionate tenant support with strategic program leadership. With over a decade of humanitarian experience, his work centers on empowering tenants through practical skill-building like budgeting and resume writing, while holding them accountable to their personal goals with a supportive, firm approach. He ensures the team operates cohesively and oversees all critical administrative and compliance duties, guaranteeing the program meets state requirements with integrity. His unique blend of empathetic guidance, operational oversight, and regulatory diligence ensures both tenant success and program excellence. | | | | Maintenance Supervisor Our Maintenance Supervisor, Mike, brings a unique spirit of care and community to his vital role. He ensures the property is well-kept, proactively addressing repairs and maintenance needs to provide a safe home for our tenants. Beyond his technical skill, Mike fosters community through a weekly family dinner he hosts, personally cooking authentic meals with his wife and daughter to create a warm, welcoming environment. He believes deeply in empathy and second chances, values he extends into his daily work, understanding that a stable and beautiful home is a cornerstone of personal growth. Mike’s dedicated efforts maintain not just our buildings, but the supportive heart of our community. | | | | Supportive Specialist Our Housing Specialist, Allison, applies her dual background in psychology and public health to serve our tenants with dedication and insight. Deeply caring and personally invested in each resident's success, she channels her passion into providing comprehensive, person-centered support. Allison brings this commitment to life through direct, hands-on involvement in our tenants' daily activities and challenges. She works on the front lines, providing the consistent, personalized engagement that is crucial for building stability and trust, ensuring our residents feel supported in every aspect of their journey toward sustained independence. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Replacing misinformation with truth, compassion,
and data-driven solutions. | | | | We've teamed up with area agency members of the Saratoga North Country Continuum of Care (SNC523) to launch an educational campaign to combat common myths we hear about those facing homelessness. | | | | | | | |  | Our work would not be possible without the generosity of volunteers. From welcoming guests at the Emergency Shelter to providing support during Code Blue, volunteers are the heart of our mission. They offer more than time—they provide compassion, dignity, and connection for neighbors experiencing homelessness. We invite you to get involved: -
Emergency Shelter: Help create a safe, supportive environment year-round. -
Code Blue: Sign up to be part of our seasonal response team as the cold weather arrives. Your involvement ensures that every guest feels seen, supported, and cared for. Together, we can make a direct and lasting difference in people’s lives. | | | | | | | | | | | | Shelters of Saratoga
PO Box 3089 | Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
(518) 581-1097 | info@sheltersofsaratoga.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
