Schuyler Inn offers homeless children more than a safe haven

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The mother and son were forced to flee by night to Schuyler Inn so fast, there was no time to pack his favorite toys, much less buy anything for his 4th birthday party the next day. When Schuyler staff welcomed them, the preschooler tried to be brave about missing his first-ever party. But tears streaked down his face. Schulyer shelter services director Mashama Lipscomb immediately phoned Jazzy Sun Birthdays whose volunteers throw free parties for children 1 through 13 at three Capital Region homeless shelters, including the inn.

Schuyler is a former motel transformed into clean, quiet, safe housing for homeless families who stay long as as a year if they need to. Jazzy Sun helps Schuyler’s kids feel more at home. Normally, parents answer Jazzy Sun questionnaires about their child’s favorite cake, superheroes, movies, songs, cartoon characters, colors. Volunteers customize a party to match the kid’s favorite tastes, once even crafting a cake shaped like a Darkstar skateboard.

But for the late night arrivals, there wasn’t time. In a brief chat, mom told volunteers her son longed for an ice cream cake. He loved Paw Patrol, a cartoon about puppies, who have jobs like firefighter and construction worker, who team up to rescue small animals in distress.
And one day, he dreamed of seeing an airplane up close.

When Schuyler staff and Jazzy volunteers came to his room the next day, his gaze swept over the ice cream cake with four candles, Paw Patrol toy and toy airplane. He gasped and smiled for the first time in weeks.
“His face was glowing, he was laughing, clapping,” Lipscomb said, happily.

Now, both Schuyler Inn and Jazzy Sun welcome and need volunteers and donations.
On a recent visit, it’s clear how central children are to Schuyler Inn’s mission. Crayon drawings and finger paintings adorn the manager’s office and other windows. In a rec room decorated with a mural of monkeys and a lion, two 5-year-olds, one wearing a chef’s hat, play in a yellow and lilac-pointed toy kitchen. A boy throws a small basketball through a hoop sized for preschoolers. When they spot the Times Union photographer, they ooh and aah over her camera and ID she wears.

A college student earning class credits by volunteering opens the wooden Dress Up chest to see if there’s a toy camera inside. The box contains a hodgepodge of props, costumes and uniforms. The student pointed to a police officer’s uniform shirt and said, “that’s the children’s favorite thing to wear,” the student said.

The room is named after in dedicated volunteer and county social worker Alex Grimmick. She recruited former schoolteachers for Schuyler’s arts, crafts, games and homework tutoring after-school program. But they are mostly over 60; many can’t volunteer during the pandemic.

“We need tutors so much; many parents struggle when they try to help with homework,” Lipscomb said.

Tragically, Grimmick died in a car crash last year at 33. Schuyler lost another beloved volunteer recently when Jazzy Sun founder Fazana Ismail died at 47 after valiantly battling cancer.

To carry on the work of both, volunteers are needed and welcome. Schuyler is part of the Peter Young Housing Industry and Treatment network. County funding pays for the three meals daily Schuyler serves and other expenses. But Lipscomb will need to raise funds for a playground. As in most motels, Schuyler offers guests a bedroom with bathroom. Even limited to 4 occupants per unit, there’s not much room to play. Children race across the grassy lot, go to the rec room—or the cherished gazebo. Lipscomb thought of tearing it down but families pleaded for it to stay.

Older kids play instruments or sing in impromptu concerts in the wooden gazebo. Volunteers host story times there. Small children pretend it’s a castle, fort or spaceship.

She hopes volunteers with DIY skills might be able to reapair its conical gray roof which is missing shingles.

Meanwhile, Ismail’s niece, Nihla Sikkander is continuing Jazzy Sun’s legacy.
“We even make smash cakes,” Sikkander said, referring to small pastries babies can destroy yet enjoy.
Jazzy Sun has an Amazon wish list for shelter kids recently topped by a $13 terrarium with seeds, blue quartz and glow-in-the-dark stickers of stars, planets and comets. The young future scientist yearning for it will have a science experiment that also serves as a night light, making Schuyler feel more like a home where it’s safe dream.

Get connected

Schuyler Inn at 575 Broadway, Menands needs donations of playground equipment, clean, new clothing for children and adults as well as props and costumes for the play room. The Inn also welcomes donations of housekeeping items like clean pots and pans and cleaning supplies for families moving into first apartments. Homework tutors and volunteers to oversee arts, crafts and games for ages 4-17 are needed. Volunteers with repair skills are welcome.
Donations can be made via PayPal or credit or debit card at https://pyhit.com/you-can-help/donate/

To volunteer at JazzySun Birthdays, email Nihla at jazzysunbirthdays@gmail.com. Visit Jazzy Sun’s Facebook page for a link to the Amazon wish list for children: https://www.facebook.com/Jazzy-Sun-Birthdays-215537568478857