Together We Rise

Deneen Palmateer, a Schenectady County resident, is a woman who brings about change by reframing challenges. “Each day starts anew with new challenges and new successes,” she said. “Keep learning, failing, striving, and going.” Beyond that, have fun, she advises.

“Keep making friends. Those friends are a lifeline. They help, educate, and support you.”

Changing Perspectives

Deneen’s friendships form through the organizations she is involved with. She is the Associate Executive of Communications, Development, and Community Engagement for Living Resources, an organization she has been working with for more than five years to empower and support individuals with disabilities, and other life challenging conditions.

“It’s important that individuals with disabilities become louder and prouder of who they are. It’s a mind shift. They have abilities like everyone else. They work, volunteer, go out to dinner, attend functions, and enrich our communities through inclusion,” said Deneen.

With 12 supportive programs, including 50+ homes, Living Resources supports 1,500+ individuals and family members, from 14 counties. Although much of their funding is supplied by Medicaid, they are always searching for donations and hosting events to raise the remainder needed. It is an ever-increasing race to keep up with rising costs and inflation.

Finding Their Voice Through Integration

Living Resources’ first Saratoga residential group home, on Union Avenue, was purchased from Skidmore in the 1970’s (it is now the Union Gables Bed & Breakfast).

“We’ve strategically tried to grow the mission but there is a stigma associated with individuals with developmental disabilities. It is a part of the systematic discrimination they experience. When people hear ‘group home’, they build barriers. We break down barriers,” said Deneen.

Today, Living Resources provides a wide array of services throughout Saratoga County, including supportive living at the Intrada Apartments, employment supports, an art studio in Malta, mobile and virtual day programs.

They also host art instruction at the Beekman Street Art Gallery, a community workspace where integration allows for the voice of every artist to be heard.

“Art is a great avenue for connection. Even those who are nonverbal can communicate through art,” said Deneen.

Going Further And Doing More

Volunteering in the community is a value ingrained in Deneen while she was young. Her father, Roy Palmateer, was Johnstown Town Supervisor, and the family was often volunteering at chicken barbecues, participating in Fire Department fundraisers, and picking up garbage along the roadways.

He also instilled in his daughter the idea that one must never stop learning.

Deneen, who became a mother at 17, holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Criminal Justice. What she calls her first “big girl” job was working for then Assemblyman (now Congressman) Paul Tonko.

“Working with Paul really provided me the opportunity to get a deep dive look at what happens in the political landscape,” she said.

Deneen then worked as a paralegal at Harvey & Mumford law firm, and as Operations Manager contracted to the GE Power Executive Team, while also becoming active in many governing boards, including the Schenectady Rotary Club, where she has been a mem ber since 2009 and served as their past president.

“Being involved in many organizations has allowed me to become more educated about community needs while meeting such wonderful people who are also committed to bettering the world we live in,” she said.

Going with the group to Haiti after an earthquake was both enlightening and devastating, she said. Seeing the community come together was eye-opening, but so was the Haitian’s extreme poverty, and the high value they place on education.

AN EVER-EXPANDING “FRAMILY”

Give Deneen 10 minutes, she said, and she’ll likely end up talking about two things; her grandkids, Emily, 17, Kendra, 7, Macie,5, and Braycen,1; and her work with the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga County.

A member since 2003, she has served as president twice, and is most proud of their Distributing Discreet Dignity program, established in 2015 to provide feminine hygiene products to women and teens who otherwise can’t afford them. The program helped raise awareness of the state’s “pink tax”, which was eliminated the following year. To date, the program has supplied more than 100,000 products throughout both Saratoga and Schenectady Counties.

A fan of traveling both abroad and locally, Deneen spends her free time going on excursions, and making new friends.

“I have an awesome group of friends but love making new ones. You learn so much more that way. When you expand your circle, you expand your knowledge,” she said. Together they have fun, learn, and buy hats (to add to Deneen’s collection of more than 50!) Through it all, she emphasizes the importance of giving back.

“If you can give back, you should. The more you give, the more you get back.”

Speaking of giving, Living Resources, together with Building on Love, will be hosting their 2nd Annual Tribute to Transforming Lives fashion event on Sunday, August 20th at the Saratoga Race Course’s 1863 Club. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful world-class experience (and make some new friends) join them by going to https://www.livingresources.org and purchasing a ticket today.