Our Partnership

The Connect Center is a 5,000+ sq ft retrofit project housed within a 130 year old cathedral. Ground was broken on the Connect Center in 2012. With no major donors, the project has been a labor of love over the past nine years and carries no debt. Project build out is currently estimated at 90% completion. Cost to date 700K. Current total project estimated fair market valuation is $4.2 M.

Downstairs, the Connect Center features a large co-working space, the Connect Kitchen, and the S.T.E.A.M. lab. The Connect Kitchen is a professional level kitchen certified for use through the Albany County Department of Health. The Connect S.T.E.A.M. lab currently consists of a music studio and a black box theater that we have shifted into the Connect Lab, a socially distanced education space for students who lack access to sufficient technology at home.

The Connect Center is currently working to complete the S.T.E.A.M. lab's technology and media rooms. The technology room will be a space where community members can learn about computers and coding. The media room will consist of a green room and movie making equipment. Additionally, the Connect Center is seeking funding to finish construction of the upstairs recreational portion of the center consisting of a multipurpose gym, a fitness area, a computer lab, a classroom, a recreation lounge, an office, and two bathrooms.