Urban Training Center Building Project Underway

Troy, NY – Thursday, November 13, 2014 – With shovel in hand, Katherine Maciol, President of CEO, joined staff, board members, and agency supporters to break ground on the agency’s newest building project: the Urban Training Center.

The Urban Training Center will serve to provide critical programs, like YouthBuild and the Weatherization Assistance Program, with the resources they need to enhance their daily operations, while relocating them to a more centralized location in Troy. The move will expand the reach of these programs by making them more easily-accessible to residents who walk or rely on public transportation; bolstering the City of Troy as a major hub for assistance and services for low-income individuals and families; and finally, bringing current customers closer to other services from which they could benefit, offered by both CEO and other nearby human service organizations.

The official ground breaking ceremony included a presentation on the scope and benefits of the upcoming Urban Training Center. The agency also used it as a platform to publicly thank two large supporters of the project: the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation which awarded CEO with a $50,000 grant, and Bouchey Financial Group which has committed $30,000.

“We are truly grateful to our donors for their generous gifts,” said Annmarie Lanesey, President of Greane Tree Technology and Board Member for CEO. “These donations bring us one step closer to our goal, but we are still seeking financial support for this very important project. We hope local organizations recognize how this project will benefit everyone in the community and help revitalize the local economy.” CEO hopes the ground breaking will bring more awareness to the project and encourage additional donations.

“Connecting young people with quality job training programs is vitally important, and CEO’s Urban Training Center will offer Rensselaer County YouthBuild students the opportunity to develop workforce-ready job skills. We are pleased to partner with CEO on this project and hope that others will join with us to help make it possible,” shared Leslie Cheu, Executive Director of the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.

“The impact that CEO is making with the wide range of services they provide is literally changing the lives of those in our community,” added Steve Bouchey, President of Bouchey Financial Group. “We are proud and honored to be able to support such an incredible organization.”