The CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge: Your Donations at Work!

Back in May of 2019, you may have been one of the 10,000 participants who laced up their sneakers to run, jog, or walk in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge. Your participation and donation also directly impacted two local organizations: The Albany Damien Center and Family Promise of the Capital Region.

As we open the application process for the 2020 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge Charities of Choice, we wanted to let you know how your generosity helped both the Damien Center and Family Promise expand and enhance their programming.

The Albany Damien Center

Funds from the 2019 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge allowed the Albany Damien Center to roll out a new program called Hands-On Healthy Living. With Hands-On Healthy Living, Damien Center members are taught to prepare healthy, wholesome meals at home. All Albany Damien Center members endure similar nutrition/diet related comorbidities, so being able to provide unrestricted nutrition education through the Hands-On Healthy Living program is a benefit to the entire community.

The program includes giveaways (mainly new kitchen tools) that have enabled the Albany Damien Center to increase the complexity of the information and recipes shared with program participants. This has empowered them to experiment in the kitchen and to use more fresh produce versus pre-cut or canned items.

The interactive nature of these presentations encourages both the sharing of ideas by members and questions, reinforcing nutrition/healthy eating messages.

Participation in the Hands-On Healthy Living classes has encouraged members to think of and suggest related nutrition and health topics for future offerings. This member-driven feedback is essential when it comes to deciding on effective programming choices for future classes.

Family Promise of the Capital Region

Family Promise of the Capital Region shared with us that the proceeds from the 2019 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge has enabled the organization to help 30 families with expenses that they otherwise would not have been able to take on, since grant money is generally restricted.

Family Promise was made aware of a family that was in the United States from Peru because their son had a life-threatening medical condition that needed treatment. They had only intended on being in the United States for a short time, but the complexity of his case required that they stay indefinitely for more surgeries. The family of four did not have a place to stay or the means to continue traveling from Albany to New York City for their son’s treatments.

Because of the funds raised at the 2019 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge, Family Promise was able to step in to help the family cover the costs associated with their travel, and also helped them find an affordable apartment to live in.

These are just a few of the initiatives that were made possible thanks to the generosity of race contestants like you!

2020 Workforce Team Challenge Charity of Choice Applications

If you are part of a not-for-profit organization interested in applying to be the 2020 CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge Charity of Choice, please submit an application no later than Friday, January 31, 2020.