Programs & Services

Community Resource Guide

The Watervliet/Cohoes Resource Guide was created for tenants who are looking for programs/services that our region offers. Important information like Government Services, Medical Services, and Emergency Numbers are included. This is a helpful booklet for anyone to use!

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Albany Human Services Guide

This resource guide was created by the W.A.G.E. Center in conjunction with the Albany Housing Authority and Renaissance Group. Here you will find important resouces available in the Capital District and the surrounding area.

You can find this guide at http://www.albanyhousing.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Community-Resource-Directory-2018.pdf 

 

YOUTH SERVICES

Laptops for Graduating Seniors

The WHA has been able to provide free laptops to our graduating high school seniors that are going off to college. Each year, we receive numerous donations from community members and businesses that fund the purchase of laptops for our student-residents. The laptops are brand new, programmed with the latest Microsoft Office software and anti-virus protection, and are owned completely by the students, given they complete one full year of college. If your child will be graduating high school and attending college in the upcoming fall, please contact the office to have their name be put on the list. Additional paperwork will be required closer to the Laptops for Seniors Award Ceremony in June.

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Santa Visits

The Watervliet Housing Authority, along with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, visit our WHA residents each year. Organizations and community members donate presents to be delivered at this time. In order for the Housing child to receive a santa visit, they must fill out a form and bring it into the WHA administrative office by the due date. This event usually takes place the week before Christmas each year.

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Back to School Free Lunch Box Event

Before school resumes in August, the WHA hosts the annual Back to School Free Lunch Box Event. Here, students receive a free lunch box filled with healthy snacks and information about how to live a healthier life. This includes recipes and exercise tips for the whole family. An activities center is set up outside of the administrative office for children to play. Inside of the Charles A. Jeseo Meeting Room, parents meet with community health and wellness organization to learn more about services provided in their neighborhood. Visit our Facebook page to learn more.

 

Little Free Library

In July of 2019, the Little Free Library Organization reached out to the WHA and asked if we were interested in making our administrative office an official distribution location. The Little Free Library is a free “take-a-book, leave-a-book” program that allows community members of all ages to engage in reading while giving back to the community. The books are always free and available outside of our administrative office at any time.

 

Summer Youth Employment

Each year we encourage resident youth ages 14-21 that are attending school to work at the Watervliet Housing Authority. Both boys and girls work in various jobs to help the authority look good and help give a positive experience to the children, some working for the first time. The jobs range from clerical, painting and cleaning to working with younger children in our Summer SHED Program. Please remember any child under 18 years of age needs working papers.

To download a summer youth application, visit http://www.watervliethousing.org/wha/files/summer%20application%202020.pdf

 

Partnership with Watervliet Civic Center

The Watervliet Civic Center (Civ) has served the children of Watervliet for over 50 years. It is a member of the United Way. There are many programs for youth between the ages of 8-14, board games, basketball, and billiards are only a few of the many activities. The center is open from 1-9 Monday thru Friday. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays are boys days and Tuesday and Thursday are for the girls. This facility requires a membership card. In addition to the many daily programs they run a Summer Camp program for a 6 -7 week period that alternates for girls and boys weekly. Watervliet Housing children attending summer camp are sponsored by the Authority on a first come, first serve basis.  During Summer Camp, children are taken to the city swimming pool and weekly to Grafton State Park. The City of Watervliet also offers free pool passes for the residents of Watervliet Housing, as long as you can provide proof of residency. For more information, call the Center at 273-5922.

Visit the Civ Website Here

 

TENANT SERVICES

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a book and a 12-session curriculum that helps individuals in poverty build their resources for a more prosperous life for themselves, their families, and their communities. Cohoes Bridges Out of Poverty and the Albany Ladies of Charity are now working with the WHA to recruit participants and mentors to partake in upcoming curriculum cycles of the program.  At the end of the 12 week cycle, a graduation ceremony is held to recognize the accomplishments of the participants and encourage other community members to get involved. To get involved in the program or to recommend a participant, call the Watervliet Housing Authority office at 518-273-4717.

 

Thanks-for-Giving Progrm

Each fall, the WHA collects donated food items, with the help from many businesses and organizations, to be boxed up and distributed to WHA residents for Thanksgiving. Items include boxes of stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, a dessert, and instant potatoes. To sign up, you must be a WHA resident and call into the office by that year's deadline.

 

Free Computers for Tenants

The WHA offers every tenant living in housing a free computer and Wifi connection for their home. This service is used to help our tenants stay better connected with us and with the community. The computers are donated to the WHA then refurbished by AIT Computers. Call our office to set up a Wifi password or to request a home computer. 

Request for Internet Access

 

Community Garden

Beginning in April of 2019, the WHA in conjunction with the City of Watervliet, created a community garden open to all residents of the city. The garden is located on 16th Street and 6th Avenue, behind our Eugene Hanratta complex. We hope to reopen the garden in the spring of 2020 and to increase community participation. Thank you to all of the local businesses and organizations for your support in making this possible. Stay updated on this project by signing up for email notifications at the administrative office.

 

Stan the Produce Van

In June of 2019, the Food Pantries of the Capital District and CDPHP offered to provide the community with free fresh produce at the WHA. After a successful summer season, this organization has extended its services through the winter and moved indoors to the Charles A. Jeseo Meeting Room once a week. This service is also provided at other locations within the City of Watervliet. With the continued support of the staff from “Stan the Produce Van,” we look forward to offering this service as long as possible.

 

Military Mondays

As a sponsor of the Watervliet Military Banner Website, the WHA features banners every Monday to honor our community active military members and veterans. As a part of this project, we also encourage you to check out www.watervlietmilitarybanners.org. On this website, you can browse the banners, find their locations, read bios about the military members, donate, and learn how to apply for a banner.

 

Holiday Parties

For several years, the WHA has hosted holiday parties at all senior complexes. We are often able to take our Quinn tenants to the Albany Lights in the Park free of charge after several rounds of holiday bingo and snacking. Hanratta tenants normally receive poinsettias to their doors delivered by Watervliet Elementary School Student Ambassadors, followed by a performance from the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School Chorus. Green Island Senior Housing residents typically celebrate with Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan in their community room with refreshments and snacks.

 

Annual Holiday Decorating Contest

Starting in 2019, the WHA offered prizes to the best decorated apartments from each site. Residents can hang lights, set up inflatables, and show off their decorating skills. Judges go around the sites and decide on winners the week before Christmas.

 

Annual Beautification Contest

Every year, WHA residents plant flowers and decorate the exterior of their apartments for a chance to win a prize. It is important to the WHA staff that residents take pride in their homes and enjoy their housing experience.

 

Email Notifications

It is important for the WHA to staff to stay connected with all residents. To better support this goal, the Housing Authority frequently sends out e-mail notifications regarding upcoming events, opportunities for tenants, and policy changes. Be sure we have your most current e-mail so you can start receiving these notifications today.

 

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Watervliet Civic Center Afterschool Program

The Civic Center provides children with a safe place to learn valuable life skills that encourage self-esteem and responsible living. The children take part in various activities including learning to use computers in the Computer Room to receiving homework tutoring to taking arts and crafts classes. Lunch is served to all who participate. The Civic Center runs the program right at the Elementary school. For more information contact the Center at 273-5922 or visit www.watervlietciviccenter.com.

 

Summer Camps 

WHA children are eligible to attend many camperships. For many children, this is their first experience at going to “sleep away” camp. When we receive notice for these camperships we try to get as many as possible for our resident children. Our children can also attend the Civic center full week day camp program that offers arts and crafts, swimming, field trips and many other good recreational programs. Their is a small charge of $25/week for each child. Camperships and reduced cost are available. More information can be obtained by calling the Civic Center at 273-5922. The center is a great opportunity to attend learn to swim classes sponsored by the City of Watervliet. To know more about the Watervliet Civic Center go to www.watervlietciviccenter.com.

 

Boy Scouts

We are always encouraging our youth to join Scouting. We have some excellent troops and packs for both our boys and girls. It’s a great program that builds character, self esteem and self reliance.

 

Watervliet Little League 

This great organization is located only a short distance from the Housing Authority. Brotherhood Park is located on 6th. Ave. and 25th. Street. It's a great organization for both boys and girls. Parents need to bring proof of residence, original or vital statistics certified copy of your child’s birth certificate and your health insurance card. There are many more programs available in the city. For more information stop in for a free brochure on "Welcome to Watervliet" or click here to download your own copy now.