top of page

THE CLUBHOUSE

The Creative Connections Clubhouse offers a safe and welcoming alcohol and drug-free environment, where youth can stimulate the mind, develop life-enhancing skills, and create lasting positive relationships with others.


To engage youth in the Clubhouse, we offer a variety of staff and peer-led programs, that aim to enhance the building of positive relationships, promote the building of life skills and allow for Clubhouse Members to have fun in a safe, sober, and supportive environment.

Along with fostering positive youth experiences and relationships, Creative Connections Clubhouse believes in the importance of creating a positive sense of community.

Our Team

IMG_9667.jpeg
Alyssa Craig
Director

What is there to know about Alyssa?

High School: Fonda Fultonville High School

College: Herkimer College; A.A.S. Business Sports Recreation and Management & Coastal Carolina University; B.S. Public Health

Favorite Sport or Activity: Basketball and Hiking

Favorite Food: Chicken Wings

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Day of the Week: Football Sunday

Fun Fact: Identical Twin

IMG_9516.jpeg
John Sumpter
Assistant Director

What is there to know about John?

High School: Broadalbin-Perth High School

College: Fulton Montgomery Community College; A.S. Health Science

Favorite Sport or Activity: Basketball and Exercising

Favorite Food: Chicken Wings

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Day of the Week: Thursday

Fun Fact: I can move my ears

IMG_5742_edited_edited.jpg

What is there to know about Nona?

High School: Amsterdam High School

College: Mildred Elley Business School: Medical Assistant

Favorite Sport or Activity: Working with Unified Sports & watching Buffalo Bills

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Day of the Week: Thursday because the next day is Friday yessss!

Fun Fact: I am a water girl! I love boating and Jet Skiing.

Nonagail Pfeiffer
Youth Advocate
Abstract S
Shannon Searson
Youth Advocate

What is there to know about Shannon?

High School: JFK Memorial High School (New Jersey)

College: Schenectady Community College; Associates in Criminal Justice,  UAlbany; Bachelors in Sociology & College of St. Rose; Masters in Social Work 

Favorite Sport or Activity: Soccer & Horseback riding

Favorite Food: Mexican

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Day of the Week: Friday 

Fun Fact: 

slim.jpg

What is there to know about Keiler?

High School: Home Schooled 

College: Fulton Montgomery Community College; Computer Science  

Favorite Sport or Activity:  Basketball

Favorite Food: Cheese

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Day of the Week: Thursday

Fun Fact: I can juggle!

carolyn.jpg

What is there to know about Carolyn?

High School: Amsterdam High School

College: Fulton Montgomery Community College; Applied Science

Favorite Sport or Activity: Football (Go G-MEN!)

Favorite Food: Lasagna 

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Day of the Week: Thursday

Fun Fact: I know Sign language

Julio Jackson
Karate Instructor 

Sensei Julio C. Jackson was born and raised in New York City. At the early age of 10 started learning Kung-fu at Manhattan Bible Church in Washington Heights from Grandmaster Blackhawk and Jerry Monroe. Moving to Mt. Vernon, NY at age 12 started learning GoJu Ryu Karate from Grandmaster Thomas Bennett Sr. @ the Mt. Vernon Boys and Girls Club. At age 18 enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. By age 20 was training Special Forces Officers in hand-to-hand combat. Since then, has trained and coached dozens of MMA fighters in Karate, boxing, wrestling and kick boxing. Sensei Jackson currently teaches Reality Ryu Karate @ Creative Connections Clubhouse in Amsterdam, NY; to give back to the community in the way that he was inspired to become a lifelong student of Martial Arts, specializing in U.S.A. GoJu Ryu Karate. After 35 years of training is now under the Discipline of Hanshi Grandmaster Thomas Bennett Sr. Nidan Jackson has become a well-rounded humble Practitioner of Martial Arts.

karate.jpg

Need Help?

 

CCC offers one on one help as well as group sessions ranging from school work to individual growth.

Core Beliefs

  • Young people can and do achieve long-term recovery; change is possible.

  • There are many pathways to recovery.

  • Prevention and recovery support services must be positive, self-directed, and individualized. 

  • Prevention and recovery support services must be strengths-based and provide the tools needed to empower the individual. 

  • Prevention and recovery support services must involve families, peers, community member, and allies. 

  • Involvement of the recovery community and peers are critical for success. 

  • Giving back is important to sustained recovery. 

  • Recovery is not possible without first meeting basic needs.

Carolyn Slater
Youth Advocate
Keiler MacNeal
Youth Advocate
bottom of page