For the last three years, William Rivas has been the executive director of the C.O.C.O.A. House in Schenectady. The Stanley Street non-profit is a place where kids can go after school for mentorship, get homework done and play games.

During his time leading the program, Rivas has always kept a close eye on the property next door. The C.O.C.O.A. House acquired it many years ago, but the money just hasn’t been there to renovate it.

“I understand why nobody wanted to move in here for a long time," said Rivas, as he walked through the first floor of the building. "But that’s also why me coming back is so important."

What You Need To Know

  • C.O.C.O.A. House Executive Director William Rivas is looking to turn the property next door into a teen center

  • He says $200,000 has been raised through grants and donations to make this project possible

  • Rivas lived at that house between ages 13-23

But all that will be changing soon. Over the last six months, Rivas says $200,000 has been raised through grants and donations, which is opening the doors to turn the property into a teen center.

"We want to make sure we’re providing them the space necessary to study and to learn to educate themselves," Rivas said.

For Rivas, there is extra special meaning behind this project. This home is where he grew up and lived with his family between the ages of 13 and 23. Walking around brings him a lot of fond memories.

"At night, I could open the window and slide out and get on top of the fence and crawl out, or my friends would come in," said Rivas, standing in his old bedroom and looking out the window toward Stanley Street.

But it also reminds him of his bad decisions, which led to getting in trouble and arrested. It’s a block he once never thought he would get off. However, all of that is now fostered toward making the neighborhood a better place for everyone.

"It’s interesting being here now, because when I was a kid staring out that window, I didn’t think I would be here," Rivas said.

To do that, he says he’s tapping into resource that already exist like the C.O.C.O.A. House’s property, and hopefully two more behind the house. Rivas credits loved ones believing in him as the catalyst to doing what he does today.

"When you talk about long-term investment, this is the greatest gift you can give someone," Rivas said.