Vote Schenectady Democrats
Councilwoman Doreen Ditoro
Doreen Scarchilli Ditoro, is an owner and operator of the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, located in the Historic Union Corridor and the Little Italy District of Schenectady. She has over 30 years working compassionately with individuals who are experiencing both the emotional and physical effects of the loss of a loved one.
Doreen also serves her community as a member of the Schenectady City Council a position she has held since 2021. Her campaign focuses on investing in Schenectady now and for the future. She prides herself on her dedication to Quality of Life and Public Safety issues, such as littering, noise and traffic enforcement and expanding opportunities for our seniors and youth.
Doreen is an independent thinker, successful businesswoman and an honest and effective leader. She has been involved in and volunteered with many community and religious organizations, such as St. Anthony’s Church and the former St. Anthony’s School; Goosehill Neighborhood Association; Feed Albany/Schenectady; Music Haven; and Little Italy She opens her mouth with wisdom and many acts of kindness.
Doreen was born and educated in Waterford, NY and attended HVCC. She participates in many continuing education courses online and with local organizations. She is the mother of three amazing, caring and independent daughters, Donata, Rafaela and Gabriella and the blessed grandmother (aka “doe doe”) to her precious Ella. Doreen loves all animals and has adopted several dogs over the past years; she enjoys sports, gardening and is an avid golfer. She loves small practical jokes and has a great sense of humor.
Doreen’s vision is to honor the public’s trust by displaying the highest standards of honesty, integrity and accountability. She is a servant who prioritizes the well-being of those in her community.
Doreen works to:
- promote quality of life issues
- invest in opportunities for our youth
- invest in opportunities for our seniors; initiated the Schenectady Social Club
- public safety
- promoting economic stability for our residents
- ensuring business growth
Doreen, in a short time on the City Council has been a leader. She has initiated, in collaboration, a city-wide litter campaign, working with the Schenectady School District to instill litter education in our youth. Litter education has positive effects on changing student’s attitudes and behaviors towards littering because it instills a positive cultural value and norm for how we treat our environment. An additional benefit is what becomes important to our children, becomes important to their parents and friends with the end objective of having a cleaner Schenectady that we can all be proud of.
Additionally, Doreen campaigned on and saw to fruition investment in our Schenectady Seniors by developing the Schenectady Social Club. This program provides seniors with nutritious meals, socialization and activity 3 times a week within our City. Now our senior population has the ability to participate in a program dedicated to them, 5 days a week.
Doreen also initiated and worked alongside Council Member Patrick to start “Schenectady Shares”, a program in which the goal was to re-stock the over 22 food pantries in Schenectady County, after the holiday season. Schenectady Shares collected over 20,000 lbs of nonperishable food and personal care items and over $20,000 in donations.
Doreen has worked on other quality-of-life issues, calling for a moratorium on smoke and vape shops in the City, listening to the calls from constituents. These shops are duplicating at a rapid speed in our quiet neighborhoods and many people in our city are asking for help to stop the spread of these shops.
Doreen prides herself in listening to our residents and being responsive to their needs.
