Proctors Collaborative Ambassador program expands to downtown Albany, Saratoga Springs

Five-year sponsorship brings in Hope House, Rise to benefit communities

SCHENECTADY—For over 15 years, the Ambassador Program at Proctors has been transforming people’s lives; helping those struggling with poverty and substance abuse issues to become warm, welcoming faces in downtown with a true sense of purpose. With a new $250,000 over five-year joint sponsorship from Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP and BST & Co. CPAs LLP, the program is expanding throughout Proctors Collaborative and the Capital Region.

Ambassadors continue to demonstrate ways businesses and service organizations can create partnerships that benefit the community.  The program has assisted hundreds of local residents on their journey out of poverty and other life challenges while being eyes and ears in our downtowns.

First launched in 2009 as a partnership between Proctors, the City Mission of Schenectady and MVP Health Care, Ambassadors have welcomed patrons and offered assistance by providing directions, as well as parking and restaurant recommendations in Schenectady.

“This program has done so much…for me, it keeps me sober…wanting to keep doing it for the next person in line who wants to throw on the red shirt,” said Eddie Polanco, a representative of the Ambassadors who spoke at a press conference announcing the sponsorship. “I have a wife, kids, a career- a life I never thought would be possible all because of you guys putting together a program like this and believing in us.”

The goal of the Ambassadors program was to ensure that reinvestment in downtown Schenectady benefitted everyone in the community. As Proctors Collaborative has grown to include Capital Repertory Theatre and Universal Preservation Hall, this transformational program has extended to Albany and Saratoga Springs. 

The Ambassador program partners with community organizations that deliver trained ambassador staffers; City Mission of Schenectady at Proctors in Schenectady, Hope House at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany and RISE Housing and Support Services at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. These partnerships provide wages and hospitality job training to help the Ambassadors in their transition out of homelessness, poverty or substance abuse.

“Our relationship with City Mission is about community and about neighborhood. As we have developed properties with our partners at theREP in Albany and UPH in Saratoga Springs, we thought the same needs were evident in these cities,” said Proctors Collaborative CEO Phillip Morris.

Hope House Executive Director Kevin Connally said, “The Ambassadors from the Hope House are thrilled to be a part of this. It’s giving them lessons that they have never had. It’s helping them to change their lives. We use this as an opportunity to give them responsibility to turn around and be accountable.”

Ron Guzior, managing partner from BST said, “We believe in supporting our community, and we’ve been doing that since 1947. We appreciate seeing people gain in their financial stability, their career, family and supporting the Capital Region. This is a five-year journey, and we’re excited to be partners with Whiteman and the Collaborative, to make a long-time difference in Schenectady, Saratoga, Albany and the whole Capital Region.”

About the sponsors

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, a law firm based in Albany, was founded in 1975 and has since become the largest and one of the most well-respected law firms in the Capital Region. Together as a firm and individually, the attorneys and staff actively participate in a variety of activities and sponsorships to fulfill their commitment to the community as a good corporate citizen.

BST & Co. CPAs, LLP is a multi-disciplinary accounting and business advisory firm headquartered in Albany serving the needs of closely held companies, family-owned businesses, not-for-profit and governmental entities, and high-net worth individuals. Since 1947, BST has promoted financial stability and growth for businesses, organizations and individuals while continuing their commitment to actively serve the community in the Capital Region.