2025 Women United Luncheon Program Journal by United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025

The Grandview, Poughkeepsie

11:30 AM - 2 PM

a luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker, Rella Fogliano CEO of The MacQuesten Companies

Emcee, Anne Marie Leamy aka Annie from Foxx and Annie in the morning WCBS FM101.1

welcome

On behalf of Women United and the entire team at United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, we are delighted to welcome you to our Second Annual Women’s Empowerment Luncheon.

Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in our community. This luncheon recognizes the strength, resilience and unwavering dedication of women who have profoundly impacted the lives of others. We acknowledge that without the dedication and support of our community, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region could not achieve its mission.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region swiftly addresses critical community issues by providing essential services such as eviction prevention, job assistance, food access, literacy initiatives and school supply distribution for children. We also offer free emergency transportation to food pantries and vaccination sites, along with crucial wraparound services. Our Nutritional Outreach & Educational Program assists individuals and families in accessing SNAP benefits, with a coordinator in Dutchess County.

We would like to thank our wonderful keynote speaker, Rella Fogliano, for joining us today and our amazing emcee, Annie Leamy. Also, a huge thank you to our nonprofit speakers, Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier from Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc., and Dareshanie D’Arpino from Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh. We also appreciate the nonprofit organizations and women owned businesses that tabled today.

We are honored to have you join us on this journey of recognition and appreciation. Together, let us embrace collaboration and empowerment as we uplift and support one another in our shared mission of ensuring our most vulnerable neighbors are housed, fed and actively pursuing employment or education.

Thank you for being part of this special gathering. Your presence reflects your commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all in our community.

Jeannie Montano President & CEO

Kevin Cleary Chair of the Board

our emcee

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy, a beloved Hudson Valley morning radio host for over 17 years, brings energy, positivity, and community focus to your daily routine. With her husband, Sean, and their three sons as her inspiration, Annie delights listeners with local insights, business spotlights, and community engagement. Tune in to Foxx and Annie in the Morning on WCBS FM 101.1 and connect with her on FB/Instagram @annieonair.

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Welcome - Annie Leamy

President & CEO Remarks - Jeannie Montano

Chair of the Board Remarks - Kevin Cleary

County Executive Welcome - County Executive Sue Serino

Keynote Presentation - Rella Fogliano

Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. - Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier

Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh - Dareshanie D’Arpino

keynote speaker

Rella Fogliano, CEO of The MacQuesten Companies, is a seasoned real estate developer with a legacy spanning decades. With a deep-rooted passion for affordable housing, she has successfully led numerous projects in the New York Metropolitan area, including groundbreaking developments like Tony Mendez Apartments, Hughes Avenue Crescent and Palmer Court Homes.

The MacQuesten Companies history is closely tied to the story of Ms. Rella Fogliano. The only child of a prominent general contractor, Sabino Fogliano, who started the company in 1960. When Mr. Fogliano retired in 1988, Ms. Fogliano formed MacQuesten General Contracting, Inc. and elevated the company to new heights.

non-profit spotlight speakers

Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier has proudly served since 2010 as the Executive Director of Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. (Safe Homes of Orange County), where she works alongside an amazing team every day working towards building an informed, just and accountable society so all people can experience supportive and safe relationships free from abuse, exploitation and oppression. They provide this through education, prevention, advocacy, and providing comprehensive services, including shelter, to victims and survivors.

Dareshanie D’Arpino, a proud resident of the Hudson Valley for over 40 years, is a dedicated leader and advocate for youth development. Since joining the Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh in 2013, she has served as a driving force behind the organization’s mission, currently holding the position of Vice President of Club Operations. Dareshanie uses her experience to create meaningful programs that make a real difference for the youth and families she serves.

thank you to our committee

A huge thank you to our incredible committee of dedicated women who have once again championed the work of Women United and this event. Building on the tremendous success of our inaugural luncheon, their continued inspiration and wisdom have made this second annual “Women Empowering Women” leadership luncheon another triumph. We’re thrilled to see this event become a tradition, fostering support among women throughout the region for years to come.

Sheba Abrahaim

Sabrina Allocca

Sarah Anderson

Heather Bell

Gunta Broderick

LaTanya Bryant

Heather Cimorelli

Felicita Colon-Cordero

Liz Cruz

Jasmin Davis

Ellen DiMarco Webber

Ellen Dumbleton

Kathy Fisher

Nicole Gilmartin

Kristie Hagen

Jen Henion

Samantha Lowe-Durling

Gaye Mallet

Elizabeth Manning

Susan Marchewka

Vicki Mastronardi

Rosie Mendez

Jeannie Montano

Michelle O’Reilly

Shelby Outwater

Courtney Reilly

Angela Rein

Rebecca Reynolds

GOLD SPONSORS

Bill & DaviesCandy

Kevin Cleary & Holly Wahlberg

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

united way board of directors

BOARD OFFICERS

Kevin Cleary, Chair

Retired, IBM

Tim Eisentraut, 1st Vice Chair

UPS

Catherine (Candy) E. Davies, 2nd Vice Chair

Retired, SUNY New Paltz

Susan L. Howell, Treasurer

RBT CPAs, LLP

Michael Mazzuca, Secretary

TEG Federal Credit Union

BOARD MEMBERS

Heather Bell

President & CEO

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Amy J. Berger

Retired, IBM

Fred Clarke, Esq

Law Office of Fred Clarke

Matthew Cruz

DSL Financial Services

Jasmin Davis

Sun River Health Foundation

Arthur DeDominicis, CPA

Certified Public Accountant & Consultants

Christopher Gilbert

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Timothy Kane

Retired, IBM

Phillip Lekanides

Rhinebeck Bank

Michael Lesler

Orange Bank & Trust Company

Sharon A. McGinnis

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Marta Newkirk

Dutchess Community College

Michelle S. O’Reilly

PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

Kimberly Pennington KeyBank

Barry Rothfeld

Retired, Poughkeepsie Journal

John Stroligo

TD Bank

Mark Villanti

Retired Educator

united way staff

Jeannie Montano President & CEO

Lauren Spangler

Executive Assistant to the President & Office Manager

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT

Elizabeth Manning Vice President of Resource Development

Isabella Hulihan Donor Development Coordinator

Susan Marchewka Senior Events Manager

Michelle Nepton Senior Director of Development

Christina Powers

Director of Major and Planned Gifts

COMMUNITY IMPACT DEPARTMENT

Melissa Clark

Vice President of Community Impact

Rebecca Lull

Director of Community Impact

Sharon Shah

Data and Prospect Research Manager

Kendra Anderson

DC NOEP Outreach Coordinator

Deidre Sepp

Food Security VISTA

Barbara Nectow

Food Security VISTA

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Sue Manning Vice President of Finance & Administration

Jane Johnson Director of Finance

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Samantha Lowe Director of Marketing

Patricia Ten Marketing Associate

united way community partners

EDUCATION

Develop opportunities for lifelong learning to increase families’ access to education, workforce training and other skill-based development programs.

Dress for Success (DFS)

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County

Dress for Success (DFS) empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. All our programs furnish her with skills and a confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.

Spark Studios

The Art Effect

Spark Studios provides 60 under-served teens (ages 14-19) with film and media arts instruction as well as paid work experiences and a safe space outside of school where they can learn valuable technical and workforce skills, gain access to technology, explore careers in the creative sector, build positive relationships, engage in creative activities, and establish community connections.

EDUCATION

Increase opportunities for positive youth development and literacy services to develop positive behaviors and/or read proficiently at grade level.

The Early Elementary Education Program

Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, Inc.

The Early Elementary Education Program is intended to improve academic outcomes for youth through literacy instruction. The program operates during the school year, MondayFriday from 3:00pm-6:00pm and consists of three structured hours of activities including homework help and tutoring, academic enrichment and electives including classes in the arts, science and technology and sports.

Community Connect CultureConnect

Community Connect is an after-school and summer academic enrichment program for K- 5 ENL students in the Rhinebeck and Red Hook schools. The program offers academic support that may not be available at home due to language barriers. Improved language, reading and writing skills increase their literacy and academic performance, builds their confidence and improves their social development.

Green Teen Youth Vocational Training Through

Workforce Training

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

Green Teen Youth Vocational Training Through Workforce Training helps at risk youth, 14-19, earn wages as they learn vocational and employment skills. They attend programs 3 times/week after school in spring and fall, and during the day in summer. Staff focus on their strengths to give them the confidence and social-emotional skills to exert control over their own behaviors, and social environment. Activities center on life and vocational skills development.

The Teen Resource Activity Center’s (TRAC)

Family Services

The Teen Resource Activity Center’s (TRAC) provides a safe trauma-informed space for youth to feel a sense of belonging and receive mentorship and support. TRAC helps youth develop their athletic, academic, creative, workforce, & social skills in supportive and challenging ways. Staff work with youth to challenge acceptance of violence to prevent involvement in and exposure to gun and gang violence.

River Haven

Hudson River Housing

River Haven provides emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth as they work with a Care Manager toward family reunification or securing another safe residence. The Program provides a variety of evidenced-based Positive Youth Development opportunities and learning experiences to help youth overcome past trauma, develop skills, and build protective factors linked to healthy development.

SproutEd in Newburgh & Beacon Land to Learn

SproutEd in Newburgh & Beacon is a garden-based educational program for grade K-2 students. We maintain school food gardens and deliver lessons during the school day, year-round, that educate children in nutrition, cooking, plant science, ecology, and food systems. Our curriculum is experiential and hands-on, offering students a fun, engaging way to apply and develop their academic and social emotional skills.

Book Buddies

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley

Book Buddies recruits volunteers to read one-on-one with grade 3-4 children whose teachers identify as reading below grade level. Volunteers are trained to use differentiated material to help students improve their reading skills and confidence. Classroom Book Buddies volunteers read aloud, using a dialogic reading method to give children a positive experience with books.

Ending the Silence (ETS)

NAMI Mid-Hudson

Ending the Silence (ETS) is a presentation to middle and high school students given by a certified NAMI lead presenter and young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey to recovery. ETS addresses substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, bullying, and overcoming stigma. It raises awareness and changes perceptions about mental health and instills good citizenship skills to help their peers.

Teen Team

North East Community Center

Teen Team is a resilience-building, community-engagement group for low-income, at-risk youth ages 14-18. The group coordinates its own community service activities and cultural/recreation events. It also benefits from education in social and cultural diversity, healthy relationships, and other life skills, chosen by our Program Director, that deter harmful behaviors

Vassar College-English Language Learners Outreach Program (VELLOP)

Vassar College Urban Education Initiative

Vassar College-English Language Learners Outreach Program (VELLOP) strives to improve academic achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the Poughkeepsie City School District, which is challenged to educate these students due to lack of Spanishspeaking teachers. VELLOP tutors are Vassar students (often Spanish speakers) who work alongside teachers to support performance of ELLs. Thirty college students devote up to 8 hours per week to tutoring schoolchildren.

Life Skills for Teens

Warwick Valley Community Center

Life Skills for Teens helps develop teens’ internal assets. It provides protective factors through prevention, educational and cultural diversity activities, and helps transition from elementary to middle and high school. Members participate in community service and leadership skill-building activities. Evidence-based environmental strategies and evidence-based/informed programs are implemented.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

Improve financial access for ALICE and low-income individuals to alleviate short-term financial crises in order to increase local families’ economic position.

Financial Stability

Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County

The Financial Stability program offers an emergency hotline. Every day the hotline has many calls from neighbors in crisis, who are seeking to meet basic needs. All calls, if not picked up, are returned the same business day. Being able to speak to a person directly, as opposed to leaving voice mail, is huge for those looking for help. All requests for assistance are triaged by the Coordinator and ED and if appropriate are assigned a case manager by the latter.

Financial Stability

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange, Sullivan, Ulster

The Financial Stability program provides basic care coordination services that include rental assistance, utility assistance, and financial crisis intervention due to medical expenses, eviction, or homelessness. In order to assist vulnerable populations in achieving financial stability. As a result, helping children thrive and families become more engaged, contributing members of their community.

Crisis Intervention and Case Management Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County

The Crisis Intervention and Case Management program provides emergency financial assistance for families faced with an economic crisis and case management support to help them navigate out of crisis and into stability. Families are struggling to keep their housing and stay current on their utilities. The post pandemic recovery continues to be difficult and lengthy.

Emergency Assistance Program Dutchess Outreach, Inc.

The Emergency Assistance Program works with families and individuals who are facing various emergencies in their lives and helps them become self-sufficient through case management and advocacy to overcome a financial crisis.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP)

Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP) supports access to emergency financial assistance for the crisis intervention needs of victims and survivors engaged with Fearless! services. The program is intended to increase access to safety and sustainability by minimizing the harmful and ongoing impacts of intimate partner victimization and abuse, including financial/economic injury.

Meets Basic Needs

Grace Smith House, Inc.

Meets Basic Needs is designed to help victims of domestic violence victims stabilize their lives by providing direct financial assistance to alleviate an impending financial crisis while providing support and services needed to empower them and their children to move towards building a solid foundation of financial stability and independence from their abuser.

Housing Navigator

Hudson River Housing

Housing Navigator provides emergency housing assistance to low-income households. The Housing Navigator works closely with households to help them develop housing stability plans tailored to their needs. The Navigator may assist them in applying for public benefits, connect them with employment opportunities, and/or refer them to childcare, healthcare, legal services, and other community resources.

The Financial Empowerment Program

Jewish Family Services

The Financial Empowerment Program offers one-time financial assistance to families and individuals experiencing a temporary financial setback. Applications are reviewed by a committee based on documentation of the temporary circumstance and the applicant’s ability to move forward after assistance has been provided. Funds are paid directly to the landlord, utility, or auto-related expense.

Income Stabilization and Homelessness Prevention

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Income Stabilization and Homelessness Prevention provides legal assistance to individuals who have been incorrectly denied, or terminated from, public assistance programs, including TANF, SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, and Veterans Benefits; provides Emergency Cash Assistance–rental and utility arrears; handles Consumer Law cases. This stabilizes household incomes at a subsistence level.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

Increase annual earnings and workplace advancement of individuals and families in our region.

CA$H Coalition Program

CA$H Coalition Program provides free tax preparation service for low and moderate income residents helping them to claim all available refunds applicable to their personal situation.

Increase annual earnings and workplace advancement of individuals and families in our region.

LAST YEAR, 6,418 COMMUNITY MEMBERS USED THE CA$H COALITION AND RECEIVED OVER $4 MILLION IN REFUNDS AND CREDITS WHILE SAVING ALMOST $1.9 MILLION IN TAX PREPARATION FEES.

HEALTH

Increase access to healthy food for families in our community experiencing food insecurity.

Common Ground Farm

Beacon Schools Food Access

Beacon Schools Food Access program ensures that vulnerable students have access to fresh, nutritious food. We distribute groceries to students each Friday so that they have food over the weekends. We also encourage families to participate in our market-based food access programs by providing double up coupons and market cards to use at the Beacon Farmers’ Market.

Food for Kids Program

Food for Kids

Food For Kids currently serves, on average, 250 students on a weekly basis from all 5 buildings of the Washingtonville Central School District. We provide enough food to cover two breakfasts, two lunches, drinks, and snacks for the weekend. We provide additional food when there are longer holiday weekends or extended school breaks. In summer 2023 we provided breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks to cover 6 weeks.

Food for Dutchess & Orange County Feeding Program

Food Bank of the Hudson Valley

Food for Dutchess & Orange County Feeding Program will provide low-income Dutchess and Orange County residents with nutritious food when they visit local food pantries and soup kitchens. The grant will fund lines of credit at the Food Bank, which agencies will use to secure food. Funds will cover handling fees for donated food and costs for purchased food and will expand agencies’ capacity and enable them to feed more people.

Nourish Newburgh

Newburgh Armory Unity Center

The Nourish Newburgh project will leverage the educational resources of Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC) to develop comprehensive programming that surmounts longstanding, systemic barriers to nutrition and healthy eating. This will be incorporated into an established food distribution program that feeds 500 local families monthly at NAUC, providing mutual benefit to clients of both programs.

Food Access Program

North East Community Center

The Food Access Program distributes fresh food throughout NE Dutchess. Our food pantry offers weekly walk-in service and home delivery. We work with farms to source fresh foods that meet cultural needs. Food is provided in settings that promote dignity, self-efficacy and wraparound services. The hub also supports coalition work to improve resilience and equity in our food system.

The Food Insecurity Program

Pawling Resource Center

The Food Insecurity Program provides a food pantry that is open to individuals/families that either live, work, and attend school or church in Pawling/Holmes, NY. Clients access the food pantry twice a month on Monday through Friday betweeen 10am and 4pm, and until 5pm on Wednesday and every second Saturday from 10am - 12 noon. Homebound clients also get food delivered twice a month as requested.

City FRESH

Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP)

City FRESH removes barriers to healthy food choices and encourages healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices among youth and families by providing access to healthy foods, especially fresh vegetables, and positive, engaging learning experiences at PFP, PCSD schools, and in the community.

Increase Nourishing Food Options in Dutchess and Orange

Second Chance Foods

Increase nourishing food options in Dutchess and Orange serves individuals and families struggling with food insecurity by increasing the amount of nutrient-dense food available. Our innovative model reduces food waste and connects more food to the community that needs it by rescuing and redistributing fresh produce and groceries, as well as cooking healthy meals.

VETERAN

Increase accessibility to affordable housing and legal services for veterans and their families.

Legal Services for Veterans & Military Families

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Legal Services for Veterans and Military Families will offer free comprehensive civil legal services to veterans and military family members living in Dutchess and Orange Counties, across a range of its practice areas: Public Benefits/Income Stabilization; Housing/Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention and Intensive STEHP (Orange County Only) Casework Services; Domestic Violence/Family Law; Disability Law; Elder Law; LGBTQ; Veterans and Military Families Law.

VetZero Program

Hudson River Housing, Inc.

VetZero Program provides housing assistance for lowincome veterans who are homeless or are at imminent risk of homelessness. Through provision of outreach, housing counseling, assistance with initial housing costs, transportation, benefit assistance and service linkages, we quickly place veterans into housing and/or offer the support they need to achieve housing stability and establish community connections.