Skidmore Students Help Homeless Shelter

SARATOGA SPRINGS — According to Skidmore College, more than a dozen of its students have been working with RISE Housing and Support Services to help individuals impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, and other life challenges.

Skidmore provides students to RISE through Social Work Department field placements, internships, independent study, and full-time and part-time positions.

RISE’s Executive Director, Sybil Newell, is a Skidmore alumna. Newell, Skidmore students, RISE staff, and volunteers all helped prepare the 24/7, low-barrier homeless shelter on Adelphi Street that opened last year. Students have also been helping to support shelter operations since the facility opened.

The shelter offers 36 beds, a communal area with a TV and couches, a dining area, access to warm showers, laundry facilities, lockers, a counseling office for staff, and a yard with picnic tables and a basketball court.

www.riseservices.org