Glens Falls Area Youth Center – “Back to the 80’s” Fundraiser

The Glens Falls Area Youth Center (GFAYC) has been a haven for underprivileged area kids for 55 years… To celebrate this milestone, the GFAYC hosted a 80’s Party fundraiser on Friday June 23rd, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Lake George! This was their first in-person fundraiser since 2019. This fundraiser also honored the GFAYC’s former Executive Director, Matt Congdon – he is the inspiration behind the work that his daughter Molly Congdon-Hunsdon carries on today. Matt believed in one simple truth: “One person can truly make a difference in this world.”

Matt’s work at the Youth Center spanned three decades and influenced the lives of countless underprivileged kids. Matt’s difficult childhood influenced the work that he would pursue throughout his life, as he set two goals for himself – to make an impact on the lives of children, and to always have a full fridge. 

The Youth Center began in facilities that were not ideal for their mission… The facilities were cold and damp in the winter and sweltering in the summer. In 1982, Matt Congdon joined the Youth Center and changed the course of its future. Matt raised one-million dollars in 8 months to make the current location at 60 Montcalm Street a reality. Thanks to contributions like these, the GFAYC has helped over 100,000 underprivileged kids, served 750,000 meals, and tutored over 31,000 students.

The Back to the 80’s Fundraiser had support from top-tier sponsors, including Berkshire Bank and Romeo Toyota. Moving forward, the GFAYC will carry on the mission to serve the underprivileged youth in the community with educational, recreational and life skills programs.

For more information, please visit GFyouthcenter.org