Fire inspires residents to organize Stow Hill neighborhood group

TROY, N.Y. » Residents of the neighborhood where an apartment building burned last week are coming together to form a group whose first task will be to help those left homeless by the blaze.

The Stow Hill Neighborhood Coalition will host a general interest meeting at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov 12, in the community room at Cottage Street Apartments, but organizers already set up a tent Sunday to collect donations for the victims of a fire in another building within that apartment complex. The group is continuing to encourage donations of such things as home goods, school supplies, hygiene and cleaning products and nonperishable food items at the complex’s rental management office, 31 Cottage St.

In looking to help those impacted by the Oct. 12 fire, neighbors realized the need for an active group to serve not only as a neighborhood watch, but also to help people prevent and recover from such tragedies. TJ Kennedy, Democratic City Council candidate in District 6, which includes the apartment complex and surrounding neighborhood, worked with residents to form the coalition, a nonprofit entity that will protect the legal interests of the neighborhood, coordinate seasonal events, improve public safety and apply for funding for local projects.

“These are times when we must come together to support each other and be resilient in the face of adversity,” Kennedy said. “We need to be better prepared for similar situations in the future by being more connected with neighbors.”

For more information on the group or to make a donation, email stowhillneighborhood@gmail.com.