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New Backstretch Healthcare Clinic at Saratoga; a Fulfillment of Marylou Whitney’s Vision

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Members of the New York Racing Association joined philanthropist John Hendrickson and representatives from the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), Saratoga Hospital and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association (NYTHA) in a ceremonial event to celebrate the construction of a new backstretch healthcare clinic at Saratoga Race Course.

Hendrickson has pledged $1.2 million for construction of the permanent clinic - $400,000 of which was raised in an auction of possessions belonging to late wife Marylou Whitney, who died in 2019.

“Marylou always thought that Saratoga should be the summer place to be for everyone, including the backstretch workers (and) saw the need for a better backstretch clinic,” Hendrickson said during Wednesday’s event.

“A lot has been accomplished the past few years to improve the lives of the backstretch workers – the unsung heroes,” Hendickson said, noting the development of the backstretch pavilion, daycare center and new NYRA dorms, as well as critical services provided by BEST and The New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

The event was staged in front of a concrete foundation where the clinic, which will include four exam rooms and a lab for blood work, is slated to open next spring.

Sen. Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner respectively delivered proclamations and citations honoring those involved with the clinic. Dr. Alexander Cardiel, Medical Director of the Backstretch Clinic, Saratoga Hospital, said 600 to 700 workers are provided medical care each summer – providing many workers the first time that they’ve seen a physician in the country. The new building will provide a large space and offer the opportunity for additional health services for the backstretch community.

John Hendrickson, flanked by Sen. Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner at his right, Backstretch Clinic Medical Director Dr. Alexander Cardiel, and representatives from the Backstretch Employee Service Team at his left, pose for ceremonial groundbreaking at Saratoga Race Course July 13, 2022. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

County to Vote on City Code Blue Shelter, Seeks Permanent Location

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA COUNTY — The county Board of Supervisors will vote this week on a measure to secure a temporary emergency shelter in Saratoga Springs for the upcoming season and is involved in discussions to potentially site a permanent shelter for the homeless community starting in winter 2023.

“It’s an investment that’s important to make,” said Health & Human Services Chair Phil Barrett following last week’s committee vote to authorize a lease agreement to secure the 4 Adelphi St. building in Saratoga Springs as a facility to provide Code Blue Services. That same building, just off South Broadway, had previously been used as temporary shelter, but the two-year lease with the owners had expired.

The proposed term of the lease for the Adelphi Street building runs from July 19, 2022, through April 30, 2023 at a cost of $8,000 per month. The proposal is expected to be green-lighted by the county Law & Finance Committee and on July 19 move to the county Board of Supervisors who are charged with the ultimate approval of the measure.

“Once it’s approved (on July 19) we can sign the lease – which we want to do sooner rather than later because it’s important we secure the facility,“ Barrett said. “The date in the lease agreement (begins) July 19 because that’s the date of the board meeting and that’s when I expect there will be approval by the full board so we can sign the lease.” A portion of the $8,000 per month cost – specifically the building’s usage during the winter months - is anticipated to be potentially reimbursed to the county by the state’s Department of Social Services.

Motivated to action in the wake of the death of a city woman exposed to a winter’s elements on a December night in 2013, a temporary homeless emergency shelter was launched in Saratoga Springs that Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Parish Center.

A series of temporary winter shelters, sited at a variety of venues across town, have followed: the Salvation Army building west of Broadway and Soul Saving Station Church east of Broadway, among them. The latter, having a 41-bed capacity, required the addition of the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church also open for extended periods to care for the “overflow” of guests.

In 2020, Shelters of Saratoga - which oversees the Code Blue shelter program – operated the latest temporary venue at 4 Adelphi St., a 61-bed facility just west of South Broadway which it leased through 2021.

For that Adelphi Street venue, the city of Saratoga Springs provided $50,000 towards the upkeep of the building as well as for paying rent in the off-season for two years. To that point, neither the county or the state had provided financial reimbursement, and then-S.O.S. Executive Director Karen Gregory expressed concern over expenses. S.O.S. subsequently secured a bridge loan for $200,000 by a non-profit bank to stem prolonged reimbursement for services.

Shelter and shelter services are provided to the homeless community whenever inclement winter weather temperatures are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, inclusive of National Weather Service calculations for windchill.

“It is the only space that we’re able to find that’s vacant for homeless individuals to go to, but it’s a difficult space. We’re continuing to try and work on a permanent location so we can connect the homeless to services and work with care managers,” current S.O.S. Executive Director Duane J. Vaughn said this week. “That’s what we’re really striving for.”

A permanent shelter site was thought to be secured in 2017 after local business owner Ed Mitzen offered to pay the costs of a new Code Blue homeless shelter to be built on Shelters of Saratoga property on Walworth Street. Initial plans call for a two-story building with a large kitchen, laundry room, men’s and women’s sleeping rooms, multiple showers and bathrooms, a large storage area for donated food and clothing, and a small Code Blue office. Local firms Bonacio Construction and the LA Group were to be involved in the development of the building and both agreed to forego any profits to keep the costs as low as possible.

Those plans were scrapped, however, following a lawsuit filed by local residents challenging the proposed shelter expansion as not being in accordance with zoning regulation. A Saratoga County Supreme Court judge subsequently nullified approvals granted by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board which would have allowed the shelter to be built.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time in Saratoga Springs recently where the homeless situation is the most evident in the county,” said Barrett, who also serves on the county Board of Supervisors, representing Clifton Park.

“I think we need to all work together to be more aggressive than we have been with outreach to people who are homeless. We’re taking right now about options and how to use some of the opioid settlement money toward that effort because many people who are homeless have addiction problems,” Barrett said.

“I think next year we’ll be in an even better place to offer consistent and quality services to people who are homeless. We are working on a more permanent solution - but what you have in front of you here gets us through 2022-23 with the current facility being used,” he said. “Hopefully when we get into 2023 there will be another facility that will be even more conducive to assisting a larger number of people.”

Adelphi Street location that was used as emergency homeless shelter, pictured on July 11, 2022. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

Supporting Everyday Heroes

by Saratoga Bridges for Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On the evening of July 16, 500 people dressed in white (with a splash of color) will stroll the grounds of Saratoga National Golf Club, feast on offerings from Mazzone Catering, sip complimentary beverages, rock to the beat of Cryin’ Out Loud and applaud fireworks by Santore’s World Famous Fireworks. While enjoying themselves at Saratoga’s “party of the summer” they are supporting Saratoga Bridges, a chapter of The ARC of New York.

Saratoga Bridges provides services to over 830 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, from early identification throughout their lives. When a loved one needs special support that reality can be overwhelming. It is difficult to know how and where to begin. Saratoga Bridges provides guidance on services available and how to gain access. Case workers take an organized approach to identify needs and determine how and where those can be met.

While case workers are a doesn’t equal the cost. We went 10 years without a cost of living increase. This is where we count on the community. So Bridges can support the people who support the individuals we serve.”

To learn more about Saratoga Bridges and their programs visit their website at www. saratogabridges.org.

lifeline for family members, Direct Service Providers (DSP’s) are the lifeline for individuals. “It is said it takes a special person to work with individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Pamela Polacsek, Assistant Director of Communications for Saratoga Bridges. “That is more true now than ever. People can earn a living with fewer challenges, yet for the individuals they serve, DSP’s play a critical role.”

Tyler, age 30, is a “typical” individual who receives services through Saratoga Bridges. As he approaches the Wilton Day Program he points to the building with an excited gasp because he knows he will soon see Audrey DellaRatta, Chrissy Barss and Thomas Dreyer. Often, Tyler’s first smile of the day is when one of them greets him at the door. They will read books, play games in the activity room, help him enjoy his favorite videos and work on life goals. Tyler lives with his family and Bridges provides home aids who give his parents a break while providing care and social interaction for Tyler. For many individuals these DSP’s provide an opportunity for experiences that many take for granted like riding a train, attending a baseball game or even visiting the grave of a loved one.

“There are so many reasons I love my career as a DSP,” said Audrey DellaRatta, recently recognized for excellence by Bridges. “My favorite part is getting to know the kind, funny, smart and creative people I get to support. Encouraging and assisting individuals in reaching their personal goals and potentials is extremely rewarding. In return, I have experienced great joy and gained purpose in my own life.”

Saratoga Bridges operating budget is $22.9 million. While Medicaid and New York State cover 97% the remaining 1% must be generated through grants and fundraising. “That 1% is what we have to recruit, retain and offer incentives to our people,” Polacsek said “People want to live in Saratoga, but the cost makes that difficult. With the cost of gas you don’t want to commute very far, either. Turnover is particularly difficult on our individuals. There is a lack of parity in the wages and benefits Bridges can offer compared to state agencies. Our desire is to close that gap, but reimbursement for essential services often

Left to right: Chrissy, Tyler and Thomas at Saratoga Bridges. Photo provided.