OUR MINISTRIES
Volunteer Opportunities
The Ladies of Charity was built on the foundation of service to the poor and the marginalized in our communities. Our mission is to continue, expand and improve our charitable and spiritual works according to the directives and in the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton through personal service to those in need.
​
MARY’S CORNER: Mary’s Corner is a ministry run by the Albany Association of Ladies of Charity. It is dedicated to serving families with children ages birth through three years. We provide formula, baby food, diapers, clothing, toys, books and other essential baby and toddler items. Children four years of age or more are not eligible for services.
We operate two locations:
​
Holy Trinity Church Sister Maureen Joyce Center
1 St. Marie’s Lane 369 Livingston Avenue
Cohoes, New York 12047 Albany, New York 12206
Hours of operation: Hours of operation:
Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (last client entry 11:45 am)
​
Upon arrival to one of our sites, a family undergoes a brief intake process where their needs are assessed. Afterward, we assist the family with their shopping, while keeping their children entertained. One important aspect of our service is to promote the Family Literacy and Reading Project.
Our mission is dependent on donations of goods that we house at a central Distribution Storage Center at St. Colman’s in Watervliet. There we sort and monitor the inventory as well as coordinate delivery of the goods to the two locations. We also accept monetary donations. Information on how to donate is outlined below.
Nothing brings us greater joy than to put a smile on someone’s face by providing them with a needed item – something that may appear inconsequential, but truly means a lot. If you have any questions regarding this beautiful ministry, please contact Mary Clinton at mclinton5@nycap.rr.com.
DONATION INFORMATION:
To make a monetary donation, please forward your check or gift card(s) to:
Ladies of Charity
Mary’s Corner
PO Box 11463
Loudonville, New York 12211
In-kind donations by appointment only. Please contact us at mcdistribution100@gmail.com.
​
The following gently used items are acceptable for donation: baby and toddler clothing up to size 5T, baby blankets, layettes, shoes, boots, jackets, holiday clothing, Halloween costumes, pajamas, books, toys, mittens, hats, gloves, baby strollers, pack ‘n play, potty seats.
Please note we are unable to accept the following: car seats, bassinets, mattresses, cribs, high chairs and motorized baby swings.
​
SISTER MAUREEN JOYCE CENTER GIVING ROOM: The Giving Room at the Sister Maureen Joyce Center serves homeless individuals from the Soup Kitchen with clothing and personal hygiene items. The Giving Room is open Monday and Thursday from 11:30am until 1:00pm. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Chris Sheridan at csherida@nycap.rr.com, 518-438-7292.
​
SATURDAY’S WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY: One Saturday each month, volunteers from our Ladies of Charity meet with the Daughters of Charity at Saint Louise House to play games and cards, do service projects, have parties, or to just sit and chat and enjoy hospitality together. Saint Louise House is the home of many retired Daughters of Charity, many of the Daughters are infirm or from out of the area and would welcome seeing you! For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mary Clinton at mclinton5@nycap.rr.com, 518-470-6120 or Lois Keefrider at keefriderl@yahoo.com, 518-456-4973.
​
COATS FOR THE COMMUNITY: During early fall, Ladies of Charity collect coats from various locations and organizations around the Capital District. They sort the donations, set up the location and display the coats, as well as assist community members choose an item that is right for them. The actual distribution of coats takes place each October. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Kathy Ryan at kkryan5@msn.com, 518-767-2022.
​
BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY: Bridges Out of Poverty is a comprehensive program in Cohoes that helps those struggling with poverty overcome barriers to successful employment – a powerful and proven approach to effect systemic change for those living in generational poverty. Help is needed to mentor individuals who are taking the “Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World” classes, co-facilitate classes, help with administrative needs such as fund-raising, record keeping, publicity. Days and hours are flexible. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Kathy Kavanaugh at kkav@nycap.rr.com, 518-869-6520.
​
ONE TO ONE WITH THE DAUGHTERS: This ministry matches one Lady of Charity with one Daughter of Charity for personal visits periodically throughout the year. Please contact Sister Joanne Donovan at joanne.donovan@doc.org or 518-451-0362 for more information or to volunteer.
THE SOUP KITCHEN AT THE SISTER MAUREEN JOYCE CENTER: The Soup Kitchen is open for lunch on Monday and Thursday. Any time you can give to volunteer is welcome! No formal commitment is necessary. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Lois Keefrider at keefriderl@yahoo.com, 518-456-4973.
​
Administrative Volunteer Opportunities:
​
HOSPITALITY: This committee plans the yearly Installation dinner in May or June as well as the Fall Membership meeting. For more information, please contact Kelly Murray at jmurray20@nycap.rr.com, 518-441-2547.
​
SPIRITUALITY: This committee plans the yearly Lenten Spiritual Day of Reflection, the Installation Liturgy and the Fall Membership Liturgy. In addition, our Spirituality Chairlady opens each meeting with prayer. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Sister Joanne Donovan at joanne.donovan@doc.org or 518-451-0362.
​
NEWSLETTER: This committee secures and writes articles for the newsletter, which is published four times per year. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Christine Sheridan at csherida@nycap.rr.com, 518-438-7292.
​
HISTORIAN: This committee takes pictures at our events and ministries, prepares poster boards and slide shows that are displayed at member events, and maintains all photos and other historical information. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Dore Schmidt at dschmid2@nycap.rr.com, 518-456-5260.
​
PUBLICITY: Submits press releases to media outlets for all significant events of the Ladies of Charity. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mary Clinton at mclinton5@nycap.rr.com or 518-470-6120.
​
WEBSITE: Maintains and updates website for the Ladies of Charity. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ann Rose at arose14@verizon.net, 518-475-0772.
​
PUBLIC POLICY/LEGISLATION: This committee informs the Ladies of issues of interest both on the federal level and the agenda of the NYS Conference of Catholic Bishops and provides information on lobbying and sending emails to the Governor and their legislators, or to their federal representatives. The Ladies are encouraged to join Catholic Action Network at nyscatholic.org and VoterVoice at aic.ladiesofcharity.us “Advocacy” to receive Alerts asking them to make their voice heard on important issues on the state and federal level. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marie Copeland at mariecopeland62@gmail.com, 518-439-4050.
​
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: This committee keeps records of members, dues, recruits new members, and works with the Installation Committee Chair. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Shelby Blendell at shelbyblendell@yahoo.com, 571-228-2783.
​
JUNIOR LADIES OF CHARITY: This committee works with the Junior Ladies of Charity chapters at the Academy of the Holy Names. For more information about the Junior Ladies at Academy of the Holy Names, please contact Maureen Bernstein at mvmcbern@gmail.com, 518-439-7035.