Franklin Community Center announced a
partnership with Brookfield Renewable Energy
Group.
Tom Uncher, vice president of operations
at Brookfield Renewable, and Andy Davis,
community relations, visited Franklin recently
to present Executive Director Kari Cushing with
a check for $19,436–a portion of the Northeast
North America designated funds raised at the
11th annual charity golf tournament held at
the Fairmount Château Montebello Golf Club
in Montebello, Québec.
Proceeds raised at the tournament are then
matched by Brookfield and are given out to
nonprofit charities dedicated to improving the
health and wellbeing of children throughout
their regions of operation.
“It is a pleasure to support an organization
with the reputation of Franklin Community
Center. We believe strongly in being partners
with the communities in which we operate
and live and this was a chance to do just that.
Franklin Community Center provides vital
support and assistance in our backyard and
we could not be prouder to contribute to their
efforts,” said Uncher.
Davis reached out to Cushing earlier this
summer letting her know a donation would be
coming their way.
“This donation could not have come at a
better time,” said Cushing. “Between the recent
expansion of the food pantry and the upcoming
expansion of Project Lift, funding is critical.”
Davis and Uncher are Saratogians and are
familiar with the work done at Franklin.
Brookfield partners locally with companies
such as D.A. Collins and ESMI and share in their
philosophy of giving back to their community.
Representatives have the job of visiting nonprofit
organizations throughout the communities in
which they operate to distribute the funds raised
from the tournament.
Franklin Community Center is expanding its
after school prevention program, Project Lift,
to two additional elementary schools in the
Saratoga Springs City School District beginning in October. Lift has been operating in the district
since 1984 and currently runs in Greenfield and
Geyser Road Elementary Schools.
The expansion will include both Caroline
Street and Dorothy Nolan Elementary Schools
and was made possible with funds from the City
School District.
“The expansion of Project Lift has been a
priority of Franklin’s for years,” said Cushing.
“We are thrilled the school district feels the same
way and are anxious to open these services up
to additional families.”
Project Lift is a comprehensive program
that places emphasis on positive youth
development activities, raising self-esteem and
the development of refusal, decision-making,
problem solving, and communication skills.
In addition to the time spent at the after-school
program, children and their families also have
access to all of Franklin Community Center’s
ancillary services, as needed, including: referral
and advocacy, free clothing and food, summer
camp scholarships, school supplies, holiday
assistance and more.
Photo Courtesy Franklin Community Center