NECC gives virtual update of how it survived the pandemic

MILLERTON — Community members interested in learning more about where the North East Community Center (NECC) is headed and how it survived the health crisis were invited to tune in for an exclusive virtual update, Where We Are and Where We Are Going, on Wednesday, May 26.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the conversation was held via Zoom, drawing 57 registrants. NECC Board of Directors Chair Nancy Elting thanked Executive Director Christine Sergent and the NECC staff for all they managed to do this past year and their response to “a worldwide pandemic that no one was prepared for.

“Frankly, NECC is not the Red Cross — we’re not set up to respond to disasters,” Elting said. “Our mission is to be here for the long haul, for the day-to-day, the year-to-year. Much of the work is about offering social and educational programs and services, and yet, with little notice, responding to a disaster is just what Christine and the staff did.”

Noticing the diversity among those watching the Zoom presentation — including NECC clients, staff members, donors, business owners, officials and more — Sergent said that evening was “truly representative of the community of people that help NECC do the work that we do. It’s very important work and we could not do it without you,” Sergent said. “We might not even be here post-pandemic if it weren’t for you.”

Aided by photos that helped tell some of the community center’s story from the last 15 months, Sergent spoke about how they got through the pandemic. Before COVID-19 arrived, she said her team had been working hard to build its staff, improve its financial stability, improving its use of technology, develop its emergency protocols and better its methods of program delivery. 

This allowed NECC to take all of its operations remotely when the shutdown occurred last March. It also helped the center deliver their programs and continue serving the community while implementing new initiatives to meet emerging needs, such as its food and supplies pantry. Additionally, it helped the center make informed financial decisions while moving through the health crisis with their funders, donors and collaborators.

Because their Farmers Market and transportation programs were considered essential services during the pandemic, Sergent said those services continued after being adapted to COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

As for the remaining programs, she said the staff was just as amazing switching to a virtual platform and finding new ways to keep people engaged. Using the Care Calls placed to local households as an example, she shared the ways in which the NECC learned what the current and emerging needs have been for its clients.

In addition to sharing the valuable lessons learned during the pandemic, Sergent addressed the challenges the NECC faced, such as hiring workers and meeting financial obligations. Sergent said the NECC was fortunate to have funders who also pivoted during the pandemic, providing operational and crisis support that allowed it to modify some program models. 

She mentioned the crucial support from the community, funders and donors, which was higher during the past year’s pandemic than at any other point in NECC’s history.

Considering the new situations that emerged in the last year, Sergent said the community center is continuing to provide COVID-19 vaccination assistance. 

She also shared its awareness of the pandemic’s impact on mental health, the need for childcare and food insecurity solutions, among other challenges.

Moving forward, Sergent announced the NECC would be reopening its offices on Tuesday June 1, and many of its programs will be resuming in-person with COVID-19 precautions and guidelines in place. The first floor of the community center space will be closed until July to accommodate its food pantry.

After marveling at the NECC’s perseverance and the community’s during the last 15 months, Sergent opened the conversation up for questions.

For more information on the North East Community Center, go to www.neccmillerton.org, call 518-789-4259 or stop by its main location at 51 South Center St., Millerton.