305 East Main Street
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 212-5905
501c3 nonprofit organization
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9 am – 6:30 pm
9 am – 6:30 pm
9 am – 6:30 pm
9 am – 6:30 pm
9 am – 4 pm
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
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
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
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
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:
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!
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.
Need Help?
CCC offers one on one help as well as group sessions ranging from school work to individual growth.
Core Beliefs
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Young people can and do achieve long-term recovery; change is possible.
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There are many pathways to recovery.
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Prevention and recovery support services must be positive, self-directed, and individualized.
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Prevention and recovery support services must be strengths-based and provide the tools needed to empower the individual.
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Prevention and recovery support services must involve families, peers, community member, and allies.
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Involvement of the recovery community and peers are critical for success.
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Giving back is important to sustained recovery.
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Recovery is not possible without first meeting basic needs.