Press Releases

CEO HOSTS ANNUAL COMMUNITY ACTION DAY AND SPRING FLING

Many Community Partners Honored for Their Support and Commitment

TROY, NY – MAY 15, 2007 – The Commission on Economic Opportunity for the Greater Capital Region, Inc. (CEO) recently celebrated its annual Community Action Day. The day featured a special ceremony honoring key community partners and customers, a number of whom shared heartfelt stories portraying their strength, courage and resiliency. The ceremony was followed by CEO’s “Spring Fling” Block Party, where a crowd of more than 400 enjoyed food, music, prizes and lots of fun.
CEO, located at 2331 5th Ave., Troy, is an independent, non-profit organization delivering a wide range of human services to families and individuals in need.

“While I take great pride in the daily achievement and determination of the CEO staff, we couldn’t do what we do without the guidance of our Board of Directors and the support of our Community Partners,” said Karen Gordon, CEO’s Executive Director. “With their support and guidance, CEO is able to serve as a catalyst to mobilize resources that enable low-income residents attain the necessary skills, knowledge, motivation and opportunities to become self-reliant.”

More than a dozen CEO customers who have improved their lives through education and resources were honored, as were three Directors recognized for their involvement, commitment and leadership. The Directors were Yvonne Green, Mr. Rick Gile, President of RJ Gile Office Supplies, and former NYS Assemblyman Pat Casale.

Also honored were several of our Community Partners:

• Ben Patton and Jack Keefe (Catholic Charities Furniture Program) for their assistance to families in need of furniture;
• Marty Walters (Questar III Educational Program) for providing a small group atmosphere and one-to-one teacher interaction that allowed for the students to experience success in school;
• Kevin and Patricia O’Bryan (O’Bryan Family Foundation) for their support of the Big Book, Little Book Program and Early Childhood Lending Library, which helps make books available to children in CEO’s Early Childhood Center;
• Lynda Schuyler (Food Pantries of the Capital District) for her generous support of CEO’s food pantry;
• Matthew Schottenfeld (Assistant Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) for helping to establish an innovative program that allows CEO’s Early Head Start and Head Start employees to obtain their Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education at Russell Sage College;
• Troy City Schools Superintendent, Lonnie Palmer, for his commitment and dedication in caring for the community’s children and helping to ensure that each student has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential.

CEO also announced that its 2006 “Annual Report to the Community” was published in the Friday, May 11th edition of the Troy Record.

For copies of the Annual Report or more information about CEO, please contact Nancy Rice, Director of Communications and Development at 518-272-6012, Ext. 274. or e-mail nrice@ceo-cap.org.