Social Safety Net Report

Project Lead: North Country Community College

Project Partner: Saranac Lake Central School District

Project Summary: North Country Community College (NCCC) and Saranac Lake Central School (SLCS) are partnering to create a seamless academic and professional preparedness program named ADK Connect. The program will prepare students for college or careers with coursework in math, literacy, and life skills along with career exploration through internships. Ultimately the program will decrease the
competitive disadvantage faced by rural students entering college and/or careers after high school and will produce a skilled workforce for the region.

Project Lead: North Country Ministry

Project Partners: Towns of Schroon Lake, Crown Point, Moriah, Port Henry, Ticonderoga, Schroon Lake Community Church, North Country Rural Development Coalition, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Port Henry/Moriah Food Pantry, Essex County Mental Health Services, Essex County Department of Health, The Prevention Team

Project Summary: North Country Ministry will expand their geographic reach to Southern Essex County by hiring a dedicated case worker. The case worker will offer emotional, informational, and financial assistance to clients, offering support and guidance to apply for HEAP, SNAP, HUD and other benefits. The project will rely on partnerships with local municipalities, embedding the new position within trusted community centers. Decreasing transportation barriers is a proven model to increase client access to resources. The program aims to provide immediate relief while building relationships with clients to guide them to sustainable, long-term solutions.

Project Lead: LivingADK

Project Partners: Old Forge Library, Community Wellness Partners, Town of Webb Union Free School, Niccolls Church/Weaving Home, View Arts Center

Project Summary: Through hiring a Community Resource Navigator, the project coalition seeks to address social isolation and loneliness among the residents of the Town of Webb School District by connecting residents to the over 1,600 annual events hosted by area nonprofits. The project will focus on connecting residents with these existing resources, fostering better communication and collaboration among organizations, and identifying gaps in the current service landscape. Ultimately, the project seeks to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to participate in community activities and access the support they need.

Project Lead: United Way of the Adirondack Region

Project Partners: Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO), Adirondack Community Action Programs (ACAP), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Community Connections of Franklin County

Project Summary: United Way of the Adirondack Region, along with other trusted community partners, are addressing growing financial insecurity faced by ALICE families by providing immediate, flexible, responsive emergency assistance for housing, transportation, and food access. Short term crisis response will be coupled with longer-term solutions through financial literacy programs and increased social connectedness. By addressing immediate crises while building long- term financial resilience, the coalition will ensure that ALICE families remain stable and capable of contributing to the local economy.