Our Mission
To enrich the lives of individuals and families through cooperative opportunities, resources, and advocacy which embrace diversity, promote empowerment, and foster responsible citizenship.
What We Value:
- We celebrate the diversity of our community and seek to foster understanding, acceptance and cooperation;
- We advocate for human needs at the federal, state and local levels;
- We work in cooperation with other service agencies and refer individuals with special concerns to agencies that can best meet their needs;
- We encourage independence and self-help;
- We affirm our heritage as an agency related to the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
A History of Over 100 Years:
The Neighborhood Center's human service roots date back to 1905 when it began as a settlement house assisting immigrants file citizenship papers.
By 1936, the Center provided Kindergarten (the first in Utica, NY!) and homemaking classes, and had a staff of five.
As the community changed, the Center expanded services for the more increasingly diverse population and gained national recognition. In 1945, they adopted the name "The Neighborhood Center" to reflect their changing community role and were the main provider of child care and other needed services - helping families become stronger and the community flourish.
Today, the agency provides a full range of outreach, preventative, developmental and therapeutic human services for over 20,000 individuals in the local and surrounding communities - a majority are children and their families.
Through its sustained pattern of activities that benefit children, families and the community, The Neighborhood Center, Inc. continues to advance in our enduring mission of truly "human" service.
Our Services
The Neighborhood Center serves over 40,000 individuals and families in six counties! Please visit our services page to find out more information on the programs and services we offer, or, call 315-272-2600!
