"Hands On" GenNEXTers

Young Professionals Give Back

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SCHENECTADY, NY (06/14/2007)(readMedia)-- GenNEXT, a joint council of the The Chamber of Schenectady County and the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, came out in force to do its part for the community during the Hands on Capitaland initiative, coordinated by the United Way to improve the surroundings at Parsons Child and Family Center.

With a fresh coat of paint, volunteers transformed the drab basement of one of the center’s resident cottages into a bright developmental and recreational area. In addition, they donated numerous children’s books and a brand-new TV with the help of sponsorship dollars from T.M. Byxbee Company, CPAs.

GenNEXT is a business council for Chamber members age 40 and under, the goals of which focus on the attraction and retention of young professionals in the Capital Region. Hands on Capitaland was the council’s first official community service project, and members plan to revisit the initiative annually. Parsons is the area's largest multi-services agency in Upstate New York dedicated to helping families and their children. The agency provides counseling services, parenting education, child abuse/neglect prevention and treatment, family strengthening programs, early childhood family support, special education, youth development programs and mental health services. Last year, Parsons’ programs touched more than 7,000 lives. Its service area encompasses a 30-county area and more than 40 school districts. Parsons partners with families, schools, businesses and other organizations to share resources and develop comprehensive solutions to the problems that threaten the well-being of families in our community.

If you are interested in getting involved in the GenNEXT Council, please contact:

Leesa Pagan 518.372.5656 LPagan@schenectadychamber.org

Melissa Coons 518.453.5225 MelissaC@acchamber.org

The Chamber of Schenectady County is the premier business membership organization in Schenectady County. Its vision is to be a catalyst for economic growth and to provide its members and the community with the tools to achieve growth, prosperity and a superior quality of life.