Benefiting Organization
Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment to enable culturally diverse children and families achieve their full potential.
Thea Bowman House is built upon the foundation of Agape: unconditional love.
Our organization has been serving low-income, at-risk children and families in the Utica community for over 30 years. We provide quality care to some of our community’s most vulnerable children and youth in the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty through a structured program of educational and social enrichment.
We began in 1986 as Agape House, an after school program for latch key children in the west Utica area, and continued to expand our programs, becoming Thea Bowman House in 1996. Today we operate out of two sites in the city of Utica, one at 731 Lafayette Street and the other at the former St. Francis de Sales School at 309 Genesee Street. We currently serve over 350 children ages 18 months through 18 years.
Who We Serve
Our halls are filled with the miracle that happens when children and families from all parts of our globe come together under one roof to speak the language of love.
Hundreds upon hundreds of children and families have now passed through our doors, each one of them with a unique story.
95% of the children we serve come from households headed by single parents. These families often have to choose between food, clothing, and shelter. Child care can become an unaffordable luxury.
Like Amelia, the cranky 2½ year old toddler, will be soothed by the familiar lyrics of her favorite naptime lullaby. Her exhausted mother has worked double shifts all week to make ends meet and struggles to find time for bedtime rituals with her daughter.
Lisa, who attends the after school program, receives a high five from the volunteer tutor who helped her solve a difficult math problem.
And Sam, one of a growing number of homeless patrons, who finds a warm parka in just the right size at our food pantry and a bonus blanket and can opener as well.
You can meet our alumni in almost every corner of our city. It is heartwarming to realize that these now grown “children” are bursting to share their memories, their accomplishments and even their wildest dreams.
Past Recipients
2023
Make-A-Wish Central New York
2019
The ARC, Oneida Lewis – Chefs Express Program
2018
The Kelberman Center
2017
Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program
2016
United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area and The Stanley Theatre
2015
Upstate Cerebral Palsy
2014
YWCA
2013
Utica Safe Schools Healthy Student
2012
Stevens-Swan Humane Society and The Children’s Museum