Schenectady Damien Center

615 Nott Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
Phone: 518-374-2683
damiencenter@sicm.us

The Schenectady Damien Center has
moved! We are now located at 615 Nott Street.

Hours of Operation
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
4:00pm – 8:30pm
Tuesday
12:00pm – 3:00pm

Second Saturday each Month
Brunch 10:00am – 11:30am
Watch for new days and times!

Contact Us
Daniel Butterworth
Director
518-374-2683
damiencenter@sicm.us

Our Brochure (PDF download)

Scroll down the page
for our calendar

MISSION

The Schenectady Damien Center is a community drop-in center for persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Our mission is to provide fellowship, spiritual support, social and recreational opportunities, as well as access to employment, health, counseling, and educational services for Schenectady’s HIV/AIDS community.

The Damien Center pursues this ministry in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment, where love and support for one another can be shared and friends can feel like family.  You are not the only person in our community facing this disease and you don’t have to be alone. 

Enjoy the light-hearted atmosphere of our living room, where there are opportunities to socialize with other people just like you.  Check out the latest health information, join discussions on nutrition and spirituality, enjoy a meal, or catch a movie!

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with HIV/AIDS for years, come join us.  We are here for you!

PROGRAMS

FREE MEALS
Dinners are served each Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Lunch is served each Tuesday.  Brunch is served on the second Saturday of each month. 

“Guest Chef” nights occur each Wednesday, allowing guests the opportunity to plan and prepare a meal at the Center.

SUPPORT GROUPS
A weekly emotional support group is held every Tuesday after lunch for people living with HIV/AIDS.  The group is facilitated by Amy Anderson-Reid of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York.  To join, please schedule an intake interview with Amy by calling 518-346-9272.

A peer-led support group is held every other Wednesday evening.  This group is led by and for people living with HIV/AIDS.  Each week, a different PLWA will lead the group and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share their experiences.  For more information, call Dan at the SICM office, 518-374-2683.

WORKSHOPS
Educational workshops are designed to help you lead a healthier, stress-free life!  Learn about nutrition, housing assistance, employment opportunities, HIV/AIDS medical advancements, alternative and holistic therapies, money management, medication adherence, and health insurance.  Other workshops, on spirituality, anti-discrimination, and empowerment, are also available and can help create a stronger and more confident you!

OUT AND ABOUT
Monthly excursions to regional events, nature walks, movies, and places of interest.  Join your Damien Center friends for days of fun and socializing!  All sponsored trips are free for Damien Center guests.  Sign-up sheets are located at the front desk of the Center.

MOVIE, ARTS & CRAFTS, and GAME NIGHTS
Rotating on Wednesday nights.  Join us for BINGO, board games, crafting, cards, and movies of your choice!  Check our monthly calendar for listings!

FREE MASSAGE AND REIKI
Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  It is a “laying on of hands” that helps to direct your body’s energy where it is most needed.  Reiki sessions are offered by Sheri and are by appointment only.

Massage can help aid in stress reduction and relaxation.  We are currently seeking certified practitioners to host regular massage sessions.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The Schenectady Damien Center happily welcomes volunteer support!  While we prefer volunteers to provide regularly scheduled hours (once a week, once every other week, once a month), we are also glad for the help of one-time volunteers!  Areas of need include:

• Meal preparation- A great way for individuals and groups to get involved!  Prepare meals in your own kitchen or in ours!
• Child and youth programming- Good with kids?  Help plan activities for the youth at SDC!  Games, projects, and tutoring help are very much needed!
• Lead a workshop- Have a special skill or area of expertise that you’d like to share?  Lead a workshop or project for our guests!
• Shuttle drivers- Many Damien Center guests lack their own transportation and have trouble visiting the Center on a regular basis.  Drivers to pick up and drop off guests would be a great service to individuals in need of our community!  Drivers are also needed for our field trips to places of interest in the region.
• Building and grounds maintenance- Home ownership comes with many new responsibilities and your help with something as simple as snow removal or gardening could help make the Center run more smoothly!
• Fundraising and community outreach- Good with publicity or event planning?  You can help us grow our program by helping to organize fundraising events, participating in AIDSWalk, or publicizing our program to interested community members.  Every little bit helps keep our doors open for people living with HIV/AIDS.

We ask that volunteers: be 18 years or older or have parental permission; have clean criminal records; provide at least one personal reference; and be willing to sign a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.

HIV/AIDS IN SCHENECTADY

Despite modern medical advances, there still is no cure for HIV and AIDS, and the virus continues to adversely affect our families and community.  In Schenectady County there are 412 documented persons living with HIV/AIDS. Countless others remain undocumented, and often untreated, for fear of discrimination.

Below are resources online that detail the face of HIV/AIDS today.
2007 NYS DOH Epidemiological Report- http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/statistics/annual/2007/2007-12_annual_surveillance_report.pdf

June, 2010

Download a PDF version of this calendar.