Summer Lunch

For fifteen years, the SICM free summer lunch program has helped hungry children here in Schenectady. Without this program, many kids would not have a regular midday meal throughout the summer. Lunches are served at locations specifically targeted to reach the largest number of hungry children. At most of SICM’s summer lunch sites, nearly 100% of the children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The NY State Education Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture fund SICM’s summer lunch program by reimbursing SICM for each meal served. Lunch is available to youth 18 and under, and we expect to feed about 850 kids each day.

SICM serves food at several of the city’s parks, including Quackenbush Park, Jerry Burrell Park, Central Park, Hillhurst Park, and Wallingford and Carrie Street Parks, both of which are new sites this year.  Lunch is also provided at two of the city’s municipal housing locations: Yates Village and Steinmetz Homes. The remaining five sites include Mt. Olivet Baptist Church (Strong Street), New Creation in Christ (Howard Street), Faith United Methodist Church (Eastern & Brandywine), Trinity Lutheran Church (Central State Street cluster, Furman Street), and Friendship House (955 State Street).  All sites are open to anyone age 18 and under, and there is no enrollment required.

This year, the program runs five days a week from June 28th- September 3rd, the entire duration of summer vacation. In case of rain, each site has a sheltered area.  Last summer, over 37,700 meals were prepared and distributed.  The food is a variety of hot lunches and cold lunches, following a menu which closely mirrors that of the meals children receive in school. 

SICM is also working in conjunction with other programs running at sites during the summer that provide activities for children. For example, the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady has a program at Quackenbush Park, and the YMCA runs a day program at Jerry Burrell Park. In addition, we are working in conjunction with the County SCORE Camp at Central Park.

At three of the park lunch sites in Schenectady (Hillhurst, Wallingford, and Carrie Street), SICM will offer its “Safe Parks/Edible Playgrounds” program, teaching children the basics of growing, cultivating, and harvesting a garden (an “edible playground”).  Children will be able to participate in this program before or after summer lunch, depending on the site.  More information and registration materials are available online at http://sicm.us/Parks_Playgrounds.html  or at each site on the first day of the program.  SICM is one of only 21 faith-based coalitions across the country (from Guam to Massachusetts) that was awarded a two-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to prevent childhood obesity by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity through community advocacy.  The project is coordinated by Rev. Van Stuart, and a key partner in the project is Roots & Wisdom (Cornell Cooperative Extension), a youth agriculture and community service program, bringing together Schenectady County youth and committed adults to grow organic vegetables for donation to local food pantries and for sale within the county

SICM Summer Lunch Schedule 2010

Site Serving Time Dates

Jerry Burrell Park Hamilton& Schenectady St.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm 6/28-9/3

Mount Olivet Church
809 Strong St. 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm 6/28-8/13

Quackenbush Park, Adjacent – Pleasant Valley School
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm 6/28-20

New Creation in Christ--Howard St.
CLOSED CLOSED

Wallingford Park
Congress and 5th St.
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm 6/28-8/20

Hillhurst Park Campbell Ave.
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm 6/28-8/20

Steinmetz Community Center, Emmons St.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm 6/28-8/27

Friendship House
955 State St. 11:45 am – 1:00 pm 6/28-8/20

Trinity Lutheran
35 Furman St. 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm 6/28-8/27

Central Park, Central Parkway – Near Pavilion
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm 6/28-9/3

Faith United Methodist
811 Brandywine
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm 6/28-8/20

Yates Village Community Room, Van Vranken Ave.
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm 6/28-9/3

Carrie Street Park
Carrie Street 12:50 pm – 2:05 pm 7/12-8/20


Summer Ministries: Internships

The purpose of the internship is to offer older high school students and/or college-age students experience working in the various SICM programs. These programs directly serve residents primarily in the inner city of Schenectady. The internships enhance the experience of students, especially those interested in pursuing human services, social welfare, education or public health careers.

SICM summer interns are hired to work during the summer for 6 to 10 weeks. SICM interns work directly for and are supervised by SICM staff. Many of the positions are paid for by a congregation, and placement for the positions is limited to those described. All applicants should indicate their preference of placement. SICM program staff will interview students and determine final placements of interns. New applicants are given first priority over returning applicants in preference of job placement; however, SICM strives to give all students a valuable intern experience. Application Deadline: a rolling basis.

SICM interns typically complete approximately 240 hours during the summer. College students can begin prior to high school students; the rate of pay is determined by available resources, and is currently $7.50/hour. Full-time (30 hrs/week for 8 weeks)
or part-time positions (120 hours total: 15 hrs/week for 8 weeks) are available depending upon the program area. SICM is glad to provide references for college, etc. based on the intern’s experience.

Summer interns are required to participate in regular group meetings to gain knowledge and reflect on their experience. To apply, submit a completed application and resume to:

Janet Mattis, Intern Coordinator
SICM, 930 Albany Street
Schenectady, NY 12307

Applications are available at the office or on the website, http://sicm.us/Summer_Ministries.html. For further information, contact SICM at 374-
2683 or Janet Mattis, Intern Coordinator, directly at jmattis@sicm.us or see the SICM
website at www.sicm.us.


Summer Intern Overview and Position Descriptions 2010