About TAUM
Forty years of showing up.
In 1986, congregations across the Troy area decided their neighborhood needed them to work as one. Led by Rev. Seymour Flinn, Rev. Don Pangburn, and other founders, they consolidated their ministries into one organization with a simple charge: work for a more abundant life for the people of the area.
Four decades later, that work looks like lunch on the table, a bed delivered before dark, a teen’s first paycheck, and a building on Second Street with its doors open. We were founded by people of faith, and we welcome people of every faith and no faith at all. The only requirement for belonging here is being a neighbor.
Milestones
- 1986: Founded through the consolidation of Troy-area congregation ministries
- 1997: First MLK Scholarship awarded
- 2004: Bought and renovated our home at 392 Second Street
- 2011: 25th anniversary capital campaign
- 2016: 30th anniversary; Legacy Fund established
- 2024: Building renovations completed through a Lowe’s Hometown Grant; the bird mural takes flight on our Second Street wall
- 2026: Forty years, forty flames
Our staff
Rev. Abby Norton-Levering
Abby came to TAUM after 13 years as Ministries Coordinator for the Regional Synod of Albany, with earlier chapters as a pastor, chaplain, and health food store manager. She’s a storyteller, musician, and painter, and the person to call about Tech for Teens, scholarships, and big ideas. x202 · nortonlevering@taum.org
Tyara Burnett
Tyara runs the trucks, the warehouse, and the logistics that turn a donated dresser into a family’s fresh start. Reach her about furniture donations and pickups. x204
Barbara Healey
Barbara sets the table, literally. She coordinates meals, community, and care at the Damien Center, where everyone gets a warm welcome. bhealey@taum.org
Lynn Malatesta
Lynn is the friendly voice on the phone and the hub that keeps TAUM humming. Start with her for general questions. lmalatesta@taum.org
Darren Gundrum
Darren cares for students and staff at Russell Sage College, every background, every belief, or none. 518-244-4522 · gundrd@sage.edu
James Davis
James is the muscle and the smile behind hundreds of pickups and deliveries a year.
David Kassover
David keeps the books balanced and the lights on, so every dollar does its job.
Board of directors
David Graham (President) · Rev. James Ketcham (Vice President) · Bob Rogers (Treasurer) · Loretta Branigan, Esq (Secretary) · James Parmelee · Azra Haqqie · Sally Lauletta · Jean Howard · Emile Wager
Annual reports
Read how we’re doing, honestly, numbers and all.
Partners & supporters
Nothing here happens alone. We work alongside other organizations, share this building with some of them, and keep the doors open on the support of funders, congregations and businesses.