ALBANY, N.Y. — Thanks to a generous donation from the Seymour Fox Memorial Foundation, the Palace Theatre and the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless are pleased to bring the Albany Ambassadors program downtown for Palace Theatre events beginning with the November 30th performance by Jason Mraz and Toca Rivera.
Started in 2014, IPH’s Albany Ambassadors Program is creating jobs for Albany’s homeless or formerly homeless individuals, providing personal and professional skills, a stable income, and a sense of community for participants. Ambassadors are employed as greeters at local theatres and events. Participants go through a formal application and interview process to develop critical skills while earning income and strengthening their resumes.
Services such as greeting patrons, providing directions, answering questions, and maintaining a welcoming environment are some of the tasks performed by the Ambassadors.
Being an Ambassador has opened up doors for individuals who have never had a job or haven’t worked in years. They are full of pride in their accomplishment and an example of hope, determination, and hard work for their peers.
“IPH is excited to partner with Palace Theatre and give our Ambassadors even more presence in downtown Albany. Our Ambassadors are eager to assist visitors to the Palace and welcome everyone to Albany.” Janine Robitaille, Executive Director of IPH.
“The Palace Performing Arts Center is excited to partner with the talented men and women from the IPH Ambassadors program. We are proud to join with our community partners to provide a world-class patron experience and add a warm welcome to our neighborhood.” – Susan Rosko Fogarty, Executive Director – Palace Performing Arts Center
About The Palace Theatre
The Palace has been Albany’s iconic downtown landmark for the past eight decades, bringing the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region. The history and programming of the Palace is a unique and often untold story with roots dating back to the period of the Great Depression. The Palace Theatre, built in 1931, originally presented vaudeville acts, feature films and became a civic auditorium before closing its doors in 1969. The theatre maintains its original beauty and design and is a historical landmark in the City of Albany. The Palace Performing Arts Center was established in 1984 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989, created to operate the Palace Theatre. The mission of the Palace is to bring world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area's cultural and economic development. Our mission is carried out through core programming and community initiatives that include performing arts entertainment, free arts education, family-friendly performances, free summer movies and a classic movie program series. The Palace has a significant economic footprint with over $3.5 million in ticket sales and 180,000 patrons.