Dear Friends,

Empathy is at the heart of everything we do at Shelters of Saratoga. It allows us to see beyond circumstances and focus on the person. It fuels our mission to transform the lives of those who walk through our doors with safe shelter, supportive services, and a path to independence. And it is your empathy and support that has made this past year extraordinary.

A shocking report from the New York State Comptroller’s Office, released in late January, underscores just how critical the need has become in our community. The number of people facing homelessness in the Saratoga-Warren-Washington region more than doubled, increasing by an astonishing 138%, from January 2022 to January 2024. I can tell you from experience that these figures are accurate. 464 people used our services last year alone. These are not just numbers; they represent real people—parents, children, seniors—who have nowhere to turn. The need is overwhelming, but we refuse to stand by.

In the past year, we began our long-awaited expansion and renovation of our Walworth Street Emergency Shelters. When fully operational later this year, we will increase our ability to respond to the unprecedented need for shelter and essential services. We also completed our Ballston Ave Supportive Apartments, creating 9 units of stable housing for those who have struggled with homelessness for years. And, in a monumental step forward, Saratoga County secured land for us to build a permanent Code Blue shelter, ensuring no one in our community will be left in the cold.

Still, our work is far from over. More people than ever before are impacted by higher rents and rising cost of food. Your support this past year has provided hope, compassion, and comfort to those we serve and allows us to walk alongside a person on the journey to stability.

As you read this Generosity Report, I invite you to reflect on your impact. Behind every statistic is a person whose life has been transformed by your kindness.

Thank you for standing with us in this time of crisis. Together, we are not just witnessing the need—we are answering it.

With gratitude,

Duane J. Vaughn, Executive Director

Acknowledgements

• Saratoga-North Country CoC (SNC523)
• County of Saratoga
• City of Saratoga Springs
• Gracious volunteers
• Dedicated staff
• Board of Directors
• Corporate partners
• Event sponsors, in-kind supporters, and attendees
• YOU!