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Letter from Jan Berman; Annual Report 2023-2024
Dear Friends of Camphill Village Copake and Camphill Ghent,
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with gratitude for the dedication, support, and shared vision that make Camphill Village Copake and Camphill Ghent thriving and inclusive communities.
Our commitment to providing a meaningful and enriching environment for all who call these communities home continues to drive our efforts, and we are excited to share some key milestones and accomplishments from this past year.
It is important to understand that we have an aging community and we are working hard to address the evolving needs of our residents. One of our achievements has been the submission of a site plan to the Town of Ghent Planning Board for a potential expansion of the assisted living area at Camphill Ghent. This expansion, if we proceed, aligns with our mission to ensure that all members of our community have access to the care and support they need as they age.
Additionally, we are in the early stages of developing plans for a new Care House in Copake. This initiative is a crucial step in expanding Copake’s ability to offer high-quality care for older villagers who due to age cannot keep pace with the working community or otherwise cannot live in the Camphill Ghent facility. Named Newton Dee house, it will provide a warm and supportive environment, ensuring that all individuals who need assistance receive it in a homelike setting that honors their dignity and independence.
We are also thrilled to announce board approval and commencement of construction on our new Healing Plant Garden facility. This project marks the final piece of our prior master plan and will house our largest workspace. It will replace the old red barn and serve as a space where we can continue our work with therapeutic plants, providing both a meaningful occupation for villagers and a source of healing products for the broader community.
Much of Camphill Village Copake was built in the 1960s and early 1970s, and many of these buildings are nearing the end of their useful life. They are not very accessible and are not necessarily in ideal locations for getting around the campus.
Under current laws and codes, most of these buildings would not be able to be built today. As a result, we have formed a committee to hire a firm to develop the next long-term master plan for the community. This plan will focus on replacing and possibly relocating these residences to allow for greater accessibility, aging in place, and flexibility for our residents.
Your generosity enables us to continue creating community and providing the care our loved ones deserve. State funding covers less than half of our combined operating costs. When a resident moves from Camphill Village Copake to a Medicaid-funded bed at Camphill Ghent, OPWDD funding is lost and replaced by lower Medicaid rates, even as care costs rise. We need your help advocating for policies that ensure funding follows the individual rather than decreasing when care needs increase.
This is why your donations are crucial. None of these accomplishments would be possible without the unwavering support of our community—our residents, staff, volunteers, donors, and friends. Your belief in our mission empowers us to continue growing and evolving while staying true to the values that have guided us for decades.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to fostering vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. We invite you to visit, engage, and continue supporting the remarkable communities we have built together.
With gratitude and warm wishes,
Jan Berman
Board Chair
Camphill Village Copake & Camphill Ghent
