RISE has a lot to be proud of this past May having executed a number of fundraisers, and milestone achievements that exemplify the hard work that RISE and its team have been doing, not only in May for Mental Health Awareness Month, but always, to help the underserved and those with life challenges.
Earlier in May, RISE, with the help of the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), celebrated the completion and opening of Dominic Hollow, a new affordable and supportive housing complex that provides workforce housing for local residents and includes a component of supportive housing for people with disabilities located in Ballston Spa.
Dominic Hollow is a 60-unit apartment program which contains 18 units designated as Supportive Housing for individuals living with mental health or substance use concerns, 12 units designated as Transitional Apartments for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, and 30 units designated as Affordable Housing for the general community.
Dominic Hollow is also LEED Silver Level certified, with one and two bedroom apartment homes offering residents the convenience of location, shopping, and transportation. The complex also boasts many amenities including a gym and a community room featuring an expansive mural by local artist, Kendra Farstad.
Also in May, RISE, again with the help of OMH and HCR, broke ground on Riverview Apartments, which is a joint effort with Hudson River Community Credit Union who donated the land for the project. When finished, it will have 30 units designated as Supportive Housing, and 30 units designated as affordable or workforce housing for the general community, with 15 units prioritized for seniors.
Additional operational funding was made possible for Riverview Apartments through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). RISE also received a million-dollar FHLB Affordable Housing & Community Investment to assist in the development of the affordable housing units.
And closing out the month, RISE celebrated the construction of RISE Above, a substance use recovery residence, with a groundbreaking ceremony. This project is a Part 820 residential service, made possible through a partnership with the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
Two other Part 820 residential services exist within the county under RISE’s umbrella, but this rehabilitation facility will be the first in the area to offer an increased level of care. This facility will be staffed with nurses, counselors, a medical director, and provide substance use treatment on-site. These elements truly set this project apart.
“We will continue to advocate for, and execute, our Housing First approach,” said Sybil Newell, Executive Director of RISE. “Providing housing as a foundation for improvement enables members of our community who are living with mental health, substance use, or other life challenges to remain safe and healthy while they work toward their goals. We are eternally grateful to all of our state and community partners who have helped us along the way to celebrate not just one, but three milestones of growth. We can’t wait to see the change this will affect, and the success of the people we’re helping.”
Senator James Tedisco provided Sybil Newell and the RISE team with a proclamation to mark the occasion of Dominic Hollow’s ribbon cutting, “Welcome to Ballston Spa, RISE Housing and Support Services’ Dominic Hollow, a new affordable housing complex!”
“The area I represent needs affordable, supportive housing options, and I was happy to see the ribbon cut on the Dominic Hollow Apartments in Ballston Spa,” said Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston). “I am very hopeful that this supportive housing concept will be successful and be replicated in other communities across New York State.”
“These programs offer lifesaving help for individuals impacted by addiction, as well as comprehensive services and resources to support their long-term health,” said OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham, about RISE Above. “Amid the ongoing opioid and overdose epidemic, we are continuing to work closely with our community-based providers to expand these important services in all areas of the state. This new facility will give people in Saratoga County and the surrounding area another option to access help and support closer to where they live, and we look forward to the benefits this project will bring to the community.”
“The supportive and transitional housing options offered at RISE’s Dominic Hollow and Riverview Apartments will provide safe and stable homes to people living with mental illness, and provide the support services to enable individuals to live and thrive in their own community,” said OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan. “Supportive housing is critical to Governor Hochul’s historic commitment to transform NY State’s mental health system and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the mental health services and supports they need.”
“Affordable homes with supportive services are needed across New York, and with its booming economy and growing population, Saratoga County and the greater Capital Region are no exception,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Dominic Hollow is already providing affordable homes with a host of amenities in Ballston Spa, with half its apartments offering life-changing support services. And Riverview is underway in Corinth, soon to bring another 60 affordable and supportive homes to Saratoga County. I would like to congratulate RISE, its board, and Executive Director Sybil Newell for their great work addressing the needs of this region.”
“CSD Housing is proud to work with RISE Housing and Support Services on both Dominic Hollow and Riverview Apartments,” said Keri Curtis, Managing Member, CSD Housing, LLC. “These projects will bring much needed housing to income challenged individuals and families and provide support services to some of the most vulnerable people living in Saratoga County. We appreciate the support of our government partners, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and New York State Office of Mental Health, without whom these projects would not be possible. “
“Hudson River Community Credit Union is proud to support the efforts of RISE to bring housing and support services to our local communities, particularly in Corinth, where there has long been a need for high-quality affordable housing,” said Sue Commanda, CEO of Hudson River Community Credit Union. “Three years ago, we decided to support this project because of our commitment to promoting economic inclusion for all families. We are also proud to have found a partner in RISE that aligns with our values and has a proven track record in the affordable housing arena. This project is just one more way that Hudson River Community Credit Union is working to make life better for our members and the communities we serve.”
“Sustainable Comfort is honored to be part of the Dominic Hollow Project team,” said Nick Hinman, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Comfort, Inc. “Our mission is to help create thoughtful, sustainable, and impactful buildings for the communities we call home. RISE’s commitment to providing a LEED Certified building ensures its occupants will breathe fresh clean air, reduce energy use with Energy Star certified equipment, and have a low impact on the environment by building with healthy material selections.”
“The Association for Community Living congratulates our member RISE on the opening of Dominic Hollow and the groundbreakings of Riverview and RISE Above,” said Sebrina Barrett, Executive Director of ACL. “RISE is opening doors—literally and figuratively—for vulnerable New Yorkers by providing them with the foundation to recovery: a place to call home. We applaud Sybil and her dedicated team, who work tirelessly to serve their residents and help them achieve their recovery goals, and who continue to expand RISE’s reach within the community.”
“By every measure, Saratoga County has experienced economic and population growth for five straight decades because of incredibly wise and prudent investments by our public, private, and impact sector organizations,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “Here in Saratoga County our residents get to live like they’re on vacation because of these investments. But our challenge as we look to sustain this success is that as more and more people move here our real estate values, home prices, and rents have all increased and this requires us to continue to invest in workforce and affordable housing so more people can live and work in our local communities. Thankfully, RISE is leading the way to meet this need and we are so appreciative of their efforts.”
Many of RISE programs persist and remain successful through generous support from local businesses and members of the community. In-kind and monetary donations have been given to support RISE’s ongoing projects such as, the low-barrier shelter to be located on Adelphi Street, their new Homebase project, and ongoing improvements to existing housing facilities. Throughout the month of May, RISE was provided with over $155,000 in monetary and in-kind donations.
RISE is very thankful to its hosts from the past month who generously donated their space to host fundraising events on RISE’s behalf, Principessa Elena Society of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Strike Zone in Saratoga Springs, and the Saratoga Paint & Sip Studio in Saratoga. RISE also thanks the sponsor of the bowling tournament, The Marchesiello Team and our community partners who donated prizes for these events: Common Roots Brewery and Taverna Novo.
“Sometimes when I sit back and reflect on the work that we do, and what we have done, I’m astounded at how the community truly comes together to help,” said Newell. “Our programmatic visions come to life because of those who support us; thank you.”