The mission of CivMix has been built on giving community voices and news a platform. From the daily “Rise and Shine” updates to our “CivMix Voices” blog, we want to make sure that you know not only what is happening in the #518 but also meet some of the individuals that are involved and invested in our great community. Contributor Alyssa Lotmore will be highlighting some of those individuals in our new “CivMixer Spotlight” series.
CivMixer Spotlight: Tatiana Gjergji
Tatiana Gjergji founded Noteworthy Resources (NWR) in 2017 to offer individuals a sense of community, educational resources, and support. NWR provides a variety of educational workshops, empowerment meet-ups, skateboarding programs, and other support services to humans throughout the Capital District here in New York.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and how that inspired you to make an impact in the community.
A: I am a first generation American, first to graduate high school and receive a Bachelor’s degree. My family were refugees of Albania and former Yugoslavia. My ethnicity and family traditions play an important role in my life, especially with my father instilling that honor, health, and education are the most precious things to obtain in life. Ever since I was a small girl, I watched my family work 16 hour days at their restaurant, with no days off, working endlessly to make a living. Many people admired my family’s work ethic and hospitality as they served the community they lived in, whether it being Bronx, NY or Catskill, NY. Entrepreneurship was in the cards for me but not in the restaurant industry. I knew I wanted to do something more and I was always curious as to why people do the things they do and dove into the fields of psychology and sociology. Along with working full time at my parents restaurant, I also worked and volunteered at nonprofit organizations that serve people in need and that was when I found my life’s purpose– bringing me back to my roots and helping others.
Q: What is Noteworthy Resources and why did you decide to start this non-profit organization here in Albany?
A: NWR is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supplies a supportive community for youth and adults to access resources and opportunities for success and personal growth. We also implement mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual resources and support through our programs either at the school, skatepark, during educational workshops and support groups, and creative community events. When it comes to accessing resources, you have to have connections to know what is available to you and what options you have; my father always would tell me “when you have options, you are set.” However, my parents did not even know what resources they had available to them in their community and if they were accessible to them. They didn’t know if they qualified for support services and even what to do next in the process. Working in the nonprofit field, I noticed many individuals and families were in similar situations to my family. What I also found unsettling was that individuals and families who have been in this country for many generations, unlike myself and my family, are still struggling to provide for their families or even know what programs are available to them. My goal with NWR is to promote a sense of belonging in the community and making it easier for people to access holistic (mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual; serving the whole person) resources for their overall wellbeing and health.
Q: We’ve heard about Skate Albany, especially its focus on connecting and empowering women, LGBTQIA+, and non-binary youth. Tell us a bit about this program, as well as many of the other resources and services that NWR offers.
A: Women, LGBTQIA+, and/or non-binary youth have been underrepresented in the skateboarding community for many years. I, myself, a cis-woman have been discriminated against when it came to having an interest in skatboearding and have been told many negative things when it comes to it. Honestly, our skateboarding program, Skate Albany, is for all humans leaving NO ONE behind but providing a safe space for those underrepresented. We are one of the only nonprofits that incorporates mental, emotional, social, and physical support and resources through skateboarding in NYS! The Skate Albany program promotes empowerment, life skills education, and building upon one’s sense of belonging and self-esteem. The Skate Albany program consists of free public skate meet-ups held monthly, private skateboarding lessons for all ages, and advocating for local skate parks to be more inclusive and safe. We launched the program back in June 2020, the peak of the COVID pandemic, and it has been the best thing we have done not only for the community but promoting the growth of our organization. Our program and organization has expanded so much in the last 2 years that we are opening up a bigger community center with Albany’s ONLY indoor skatepark to continue our Skate Albany program going all year round. (Grand opening scheduled for Summer 2022)
Q: What advice do you have for others who want to be more involved and make change in the community?
A: Love is the answer. Live in love, not fear. Be open to collaborations, opportunities, and take that leap of faith because you will be so surprised and honored to see what you can actually do for yourself and others. Also, never forget who you are and why you want to make a change in the community.
Q: What are three things that you love about Albany and/or the Capital Region?
A: 1. Albany is a small city and big town –where you can be in the city vibe and get to meet interesting people and explore different cuisines/businesses, then go on hikes and participate in nature activities. 2. There are so many resourceful and supportive programs and organizations that help people. 3. Each neighborhood and town are unique and are historical in their own way.
