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SCHENECTADY
COCOA House director looks to future
After-school enrichment offered
BY AMEERAH CETAWAYO Gazette Reporter

    With its first executive director, a Hamilton Hill-based nonprofit gains someone with a business education, the humility to mow the grass when needed, and the determination to meet upcoming challenges.
    Sabel Bong joined the COCOA House in a non-paid leadership position in April after volunteering for the organization in other ways. He is the brother-in-law of the organization’s founder, Rachel Graham. Bong works for UAlbany as a full-time admissions counselor. He has an undergraduate business degree from UAlbany, and two master’s degrees, one in history and the other in education.
    The COCOA House is short for Children of Our Community Open to Achievement and its founder, Graham, is the daughter of the Grace Temple Church pastor and a 1998 graduate of Union College. Graham now lives and works in Washington State, where she works for Microsoft, but still participates in teleconferences and webcam sessions with the COCOA House board of directors.
    The 13-year-old organization provides after-school educational enrichment activities including life skills and tutoring, for about 30 children every school year.
    When interviewed more than fi ve years ago — not long after COCOA House moved into its new building at the intersection of Stanley and Steuben Streets — Graham said she hoped COCOA House would grow from its twice-weekly tutoring session to a full schedule of community service. But the recession has taken a toll.
    During 2008, COCOA House faced a budget deficit of $2,000, according to tax forms. Revenue was only $18,000 while expenses ran about $20,000.
    “We had to cut the number of students we serve annually,” said Bong, to around 15 students. “We definitely are working towards getting back to the 25 to 30 students. It is pretty expensive to operate a program like this because of the insurance. Volunteers donate time and money to keep the program free for participant.”
    Last year also marked the resignation of the organization’s program director, Christina Diamonte, who left to pursue other work.
    But Bong remains optimistic about the upcoming year, with plans to revamp the organization’s Web site, http://www.cocoahouse.org, find new funding sources to be used toward the $110,000 in renovations needed for its adjacent building at 867 Stanley St. and to expand the organization’s activities. Bong also wants to construct a Japanese rock garden in the backyard of the house to create a place of relaxation and serenity.
    “We can’t change everything overnight,” Bong said. “We’re working with what we have.”
    Saturday marked the first fundraiser this year. An outdoor barbecue had to be taken inside because of rain, but donors funneled in and out of the COCOA House, buying plates of food and flower arrangements and bringing well wishes....................>>>>....................................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01400&AppName=1