Community Matters – December 2016

As part of our recent 30th anniversary celebration, MicroKnowledge made donations to three important community organizations, Circles of Mercy, the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, and Unity House. We hope you will join us in supporting these outstanding organizations.
Circles of Mercy, based in Rensselaer, N.Y., has a 16-year tradition of providing services to the community. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Circles of Mercy’s outreach center provides free tax preparation, computer training, social services, mentoring, resume and job seeking services, holiday programs and Catherine’s Closet for clothing and household goods. Circles strives to improve the quality of life in the community by working to end the cycle of poverty, especially among women and women with children. For more information, visit circlesofmercy.org.
Since 1883, the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region has been dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Women come to the YWCA in times of crisis for safe and affordable housing; help with basic needs, such as food and clothing; victim advocacy; help with addiction, job training and career counseling; and case management. Some stay for just a few weeks, some for many years. The YWCA gives women and women with children a second chance and a fresh start, by providing transitional and permanent housing combined with 360° of support in order to empower them to be able to achieve their goals and to become self-sufficient. For more information, visit ywca-gcr.org.
Unity House has been meeting the ever-increasing needs of those living in New York’s Rensselaer County and surrounding communities for 45 years. Providing crisis intervention, advocacy, skills teaching, information, resources, encouragement and support, Unity House helps disadvantaged people lead productive and healthy lives. Unity House is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people living in poverty, adults with mental illness, victims of domestic violence, children with developmental delays and their families, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others whose needs can effectively be met by Unity House services and philosophy. Unity House provides direct service and works toward social justice. For more information, visit unityhouseny.org.