Community Partners Booklet

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE COMMUNITY PARTNERS 2025-2026

We invest in change to build a stronger community so all can thrive.

A Guide to Our Community Partners We’re excited to present this guide, which celebrates the transformative impact of our collaboration with community partners. This resource showcases the work of our funded programs and highlights the positive change we can achieve together.

Our mission is to build a strong and resilient community by addressing its most urgent needs. We can’t do this alone, and that’s where our partners come in. These organizations, though varied in their approaches, are all dedicated to tackling critical issues in our community.

This guide provides a glimpse into the remarkable work of these partners. As you explore, you’ll see the real-world difference they make in the lives of individuals and families across these key areas: Education: Programs focused on lifelong learning, skill development, positive youth development, and literacy services.

Financial Stability: Initiatives that help low-income individuals and families achieve financial security by improving their economic position, increasing annual earnings, and advancing their careers.

Health: Efforts to ensure families facing food insecurity have access to healthy food.

Veteran Support: Resources that increase access to affordable housing and legal services for veterans and their families.

We invite you to discover more about the programs and organizations that share our vision for a brighter future.

Through the power of partnership, we are making a difference.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Education

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

Education

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

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

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

Health

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

Veteran

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

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EDUCATION

DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFELONG LEARNING TO INCREASE FAMILIES’ ACCESS TO EDUCATION, WORKFORCE TRAINING AND OTHER SKILL-BASED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

Youth Force

Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, Inc. Youth Force is a workforce development program that addresses barriers to career and college success by providing academic support, mentoring, paid internships, college readiness, and financial literacy. It helps students gain skills, real-world experience, and guidance to navigate higher education and career pathways, fostering long-term economic stability.

Dress for Success

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County Dress for Success (DFS) is dedicated to fostering economic independence for women. Through its comprehensive programs, DFS offers a robust network of support, professional clothing, and crucial development tools. These resources are designed to help women not only succeed in the workplace but also to flourish in all aspects of life. Participants gain invaluable skills and confidence, understanding they have the power to shape their own lives and achieve personal success.

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EDUCATION

INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND LITERACY SERVICES TO DEVELOP POSITIVE BEHAVIORS AND/OR READ PROFICIENTLY AT GRADE LEVEL.

Green Teen Positive Youth Development Through Workforce Training Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

Through its Workforce Training program, Green Teen Youth Vocational Training actively engages at-risk youth aged 14-19. Participants earn wages while developing essential vocational and employment skills. The program operates after school three times a week in the Spring and Fall, and during the day throughout the Summer. Staff members are committed to identifying and building on individual strengths, which helps youth gain the confidence and social-emotional tools necessary to manage their behaviors and navigate their social environments effectively. All activities are strategically designed for comprehensive life and vocational skills development.

Seven-year-old Cara's struggles with homelessness and a lack of focus were consuming her. But her life changed when she joined a United Way after-school program. The program provided a safe haven and consistent support for her and her family. With the staff's guidance, Cara began to thrive. She became a leader, her newfound confidence and bright energy inspiring others. Her story shows that with compassion and support, a safe space can be the launching pad for a child's success.

Community Connect CultureConnect

Community Connect is an after-school and summer academic enrichment program specifically designed for K-5 English as a New Language (ENL) students within the Rhinebeck and Red Hook school districts. The program delivers essential academic support, addressing challenges that language barriers might present in the home environment. As a result, students experience improved language, reading, and writing skills, leading to increased literacy and academic performance, enhanced confidence, and better social development.

THRIVE: Advancing Mental Wellness for Youth Family Services

Youth in communities like Poughkeepsie are facing an escalating mental health crisis, compounded by significant disparities in accessing support.

THRIVE: Advancing Mental Wellness for Youth directly addresses this by providing essential behavioral health services. We are dedicated to helping young people overcome the long-term effects of trauma, such as violence, poverty, and food insecurity, which can lead to poor social outcomes and health disparities.

River Haven

Hudson River Housing River Haven provides emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth, assisting them as they collaborate with a Care Manager to either reunite with family or find alternative safe housing. The program offers a range of evidence-based Positive Youth Development opportunities and learning experiences designed to help youth heal from past trauma, acquire new skills, and cultivate protective factors essential for healthy development.

Illiteracy is a major factor in whether adolescents graduate from high school. One in 6 high school students — or about 1.2 million teens — drop out each year.

SproutEd in Newburgh & Beacon Land to Learn

SproutEd in Newburgh & Beacon offers a garden-based educational program specifically for K-2 students. The program involves maintaining school food gardens and providing lessons throughout the school year that focus on nutrition, cooking, plant science, ecology, and food systems.

Its curriculum emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning, which allows students to engage in a fun and effective way to build their academic and social-emotional abilities.

Book Buddies

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley Book Buddies works to improve reading proficiency by recruiting volunteers to read individually with 3rd and 4th-grade students who are reading below their grade level. Volunteers are equipped with training on various materials to build students’ reading skills and confidence. Additionally, Classroom Book Buddies volunteers engage in dialogic read-alouds, ensuring children have a positive and enriching experience with literature.

Ending the Silence NAMI Mid-Hudson

Ending the Silence (ETS) delivers a powerful presentation to middle and high school students, featuring a certified NAMI lead presenter alongside a young adult who shares their personal story of navigating a mental health condition. This program directly addresses critical concerns including substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, bullying, and the fight against stigma. By sharing these experiences, ETS works to increase awareness, alter perceptions of mental health, and cultivate essential citizenship skills that enable students to support their peers.

Children & Young Adult Programs Pawling Free Library

Pawling Library’s Children and Young Adult Programs aim to improve social and educational outcomes for children by providing opportunities to learn, play, and interact positively with others. The staff focus on developmentally appropriate programs that utilize kids’ interests to improve the skills that will help them achieve ongoing school and career success. Literacy is a primary focus.

Spark Studios The Art Effect

Spark Studios offers film and media arts instruction to 60 underserved teens (ages 14-19). The program also provides paid work experiences and a safe, after-school environment where participants can acquire valuable technical and workforce skills, access technology, explore creative sector careers, build positive relationships, engage in creative activities, and establish community connections.

VELLOP

Vassar College Urban Education Initiative The Vassar College-English Language Learners Outreach Program (VELLOP) endeavors to boost the academic success of English Language Learners (ELLs) within the Poughkeepsie City School District, a district challenged by a scarcity of Spanish-speaking teachers. VELLOP tutors, comprised of Vassar students (many of whom are Spanish speakers), work in partnership with teachers to support ELL performance. A total of thirty college students commit as much as eight hours per week to tutoring these schoolchildren.

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Life Skills

Warwick Valley Community Center Life Skills for Teens is designed to cultivate internal assets and instill protective factors in teenagers. The program incorporates various prevention, educational, and cultural diversity activities, and supports students as they transition between elementary, middle, and high school.

Participants engage in both community service and leadership skill-building initiatives. The program is further strengthened by the implementation of evidence-based environmental strategies and evidence-based/informed programs.

Ethan’s world fell apart at 14 after losing his parents. He arrived at River Haven feeling defeated and alone, his pain manifesting as difficult behavior. Yet, the staff saw beyond his struggles, recognizing a kind boy who just needed someone to believe in him.

The holidays were especially tough, but the staff transformed River Haven into a festive, caring home. This gesture of support helped Ethan open up, and he began to form connections and trust again. Soon after, he was accepted into a residential educational program where he could thrive.

A celebration of his 15th birthday at River Haven marked a turning point from pain to hope. Now, Ethan is succeeding in a stable environment and returns to visit, a powerful example that with compassion and consistent care, transformation is truly possible.

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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 provides a vital hotline for neighbors facing crisis and seeking to meet their basic needs. The program prioritizes direct, person-to-person communication, understanding that immediate connection is crucial during difficult times. All calls are either answered live or returned the same business day. Requests for assistance are promptly triaged by their Coordinator and Executive Director, with case managers assigned as appropriate to provide comprehensive support.

Mike, a veteran, had a relapse in his sobriety, costing him his job and leaving him behind on rent. He immediately rejoined AA, found a new job, and sought help from the United Way and Hudson River Housing. Now, with his back rent paid and his housing secure, he feels confident and hopeful about his future. His story demonstrates the power of resilience and community support.

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Financial Stability

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster The Financial Stability program offers essential care coordination services to help vulnerable individuals and families achieve financial security. They provide crucial support like rental assistance, utility assistance, and financial crisis intervention for challenges such as medical expenses, eviction, or homelessness. By addressing these critical needs, they empower children to thrive and enable families to become more engaged, contributing members of their community.

Case Management

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County The Crisis Intervention and Case Management program offers emergency financial assistance to families facing economic hardship. It also provides essential case management support to guide them out of crisis and toward stability. Many families are currently struggling to maintain housing and utility payments as the post-pandemic recovery continues to be difficult and protracted.

Emergency Assistance Program Dutchess Outreach, Inc.

The Emergency Assistance Program supports families and individuals facing various life emergencies. It helps them achieve self-sufficiency through case management and advocacy, specifically designed to overcome financial crises.

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103,890 households

in our community are in crisis, unable to secure the very essentials needed to live.

You are making a

difference to these families.

Financial Assistance Program Fearless! Hudson Valley

Designed to support individuals engaged with Fearless! services, the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) facilitates access to emergency financial aid for crisis intervention. The program’s core objective is to improve victims’ and survivors’ safety and sustainability by mitigating the detrimental and ongoing consequences of intimate partner victimization and abuse, including financial and economic injury.

Meets Basic Needs Grace Smith House, Inc.

Meets Basic Needs helps survivors of domestic violence stabilize their lives.

The program provides direct financial assistance to resolve impending financial crises, while also offering the necessary support and services to empower them and their children toward building a solid foundation of financial stability and independence from their abuser.

Housing Navigator

Hudson River Housing, Inc. 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, health care, legal services, and other community resources.

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Financial Empowerment Program Jewish Family Services

The Financial Empowerment Program offers a one-time financial aid solution for families and individuals facing temporary financial challenges.

Applications are meticulously reviewed by a committee, which evaluates documentation of the short-term circumstance and the applicant’s potential for self-sufficiency post-assistance. Payments are disbursed directly to landlords, utility providers, or for auto-related costs.

Income Stabilization and Homelessness Prevention

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Income Stabilization and Homelessness Prevention offers 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, Medicare, and Veterans Benefits. The program also provides Emergency Cash Assistance for rental and utility arrears and handles Consumer Law cases. This ultimately stabilizes household incomes at a subsistence level, minimally.

Billie, a client with mental and physical disabilities, was living at 76% of the federal poverty level when she was accused of a $768 food stamp overpayment. The accusation, which arose from a bitter custody dispute, led to a distressing investigatory meeting where she was threatened with criminal prosecution. Feeling overwhelmed and frightened, Billie sought legal assistance.

With the help of her attorney, Billie admitted to working “off the books” but clarified her minimal earnings. Her lawyer advocated on her behalf, challenging the documentation from the Department of Social Services (DSS). The persistence paid off when DSS decided not to pursue the overpayment claim.

Billie was able to avoid the substantial financial burden and received clear guidance on how to report her wages moving forward, thanks to the crucial support she received.

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FINANCIAL STABILITY

INCREASE ANNUAL EARNINGS AND WORKPLACE ADVANCEMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR REGION.

CA$H Coalition Program Through the CA$H Coalition Program, low and moderate-income residents receive crucial support with free tax preparation. The program is designed to assist them in identifying and claiming every refund applicable to their personal tax situation.

Last year, 6,557 community members used this program and received over $5 million in refunds and credits while saving over $1.9 million in tax preparation fees.

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HEALTH

INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY

Beacon Schools Food Access Common Ground Farm

The Beacon Schools Food Access program actively works to ensure vulnerable students receive fresh, nutritious food. Each Friday, the program distributes groceries to students, providing essential food for their weekends. Furthermore, it engages families in broader food access initiatives by supplying double-up coupons and market cards for use at the Beacon Farmers’ Market.

Food for Dutchess & Orange County Feeding Program Food Bank of the Hudson Valley

The Food for Dutchess & Orange County Feeding Program aims to provide nutritious food to low-income residents of Dutchess and Orange Counties through local food pantries and soup kitchens. The program achieves this by funding lines of credit at the Food Bank for these agencies. This funding covers handling fees for donated food and the cost of purchased food, allowing agencies to serve more people.

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Food for Kids Program Food For Kids

Food For Kids supports an average of 250 students each week within the Washingtonville Central School District’s five buildings. The program offers sufficient provisions to cover two breakfasts, two lunches, beverages, and snacks for the weekend. For extended holiday weekends or school breaks, extra food is distributed. During the summer, the program supplied breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for a six-week duration.

Nourish Newburgh

Newburgh Armory Unity Center The Nourish Newburgh project will utilize the educational resources of NAUC to create comprehensive programming designed to overcome longstanding, systemic barriers to nutrition and healthy eating. This initiative will be integrated into an established food distribution program that feeds 500 local families monthly at NAUC, providing mutual benefit to clients of both programs.

Food Access

North East Community Center The Food Access Program is dedicated to distributing fresh food across Northeast Dutchess. It operates a food pantry that provides both weekly walk-in service and convenient home delivery. The program partners with farms to ensure the sourcing of fresh foods that align with cultural needs.

Food distribution occurs in environments designed to uphold dignity, foster self-efficacy, and offer comprehensive wraparound services. Additionally, the program’s hub actively supports coalition efforts aimed at enhancing the resilience and equity of the regional food system.

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Bill had always been a man of routine. His days were structured around his job at the factory and the drive he took in his reliable old car. But a workplace injury changed all that, leaving him unable to drive or work for the foreseeable future. The loss of his income and mobility was a major blow, and he worried about how he would manage, especially with his dietary needs for diabetes and high blood pressure.

A social worker referred him to a United Way funded food pantry. It was a simple process; he was added to their home delivery program, which was a huge relief since he couldn’t get around. He filled out an order form, carefully selecting foods that were low in sodium and sugar—items like whole-grain bread, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins.

For the next six months, while he recovered, a consistent rhythm of support was established.

Every two weeks, the food pantry volunteers would arrive with boxes of groceries tailored to his dietary requirements. The deliveries were more than just food; they were a chance for a brief, friendly conversation. The volunteers would chat with Bill for a few minutes, offering a bit of social connection that helped break up the monotony of his days at home.

The regular, reliable deliveries ensured he ate healthy meals and didn’t have to worry about how he would get his groceries. As he healed, so did his spirits, knowing he had a dependable system of support in place.

Food Insecurity Program Pawling Resource Center

The Food Insecurity Program provides a food pantry accessible to individuals and families connected to Pawling/Holmes, NY, whether through residence, employment, schooling, or church attendance. The pantry offers clients access twice a month, with hours from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekdays (extended to 5 PM on Wednesdays), and from 10 AM to 12 PM on the second Saturday of each month. For homebound clients, food delivery is also available twice a month when requested.

City FRESH

Poughkeepsie Farm Project The City FRESH program actively works to remove obstacles to healthy food choices, simultaneously encouraging healthy eating and lifestyle habits for youth and families. This is accomplished through providing access to nutritious foods, with a special emphasis on fresh vegetables, and by delivering positive, engaging learning experiences at PFP, PCSD schools, and throughout the community.

A RIPPLE EFFECT

Think of a child starting their day without a bowl of cereal and milk. For many of our neighbors this isn’t a minor inconvenience— it’s a daily struggle. Parents are forced to choose between groceries and other bills, and essential staples are often the first to go.

By giving, you can provide not just food but a sense of relief and stability. Your contribution ensures that children get the nourishment they need to thrive and that parents can rest easier. Let’s create a community where everyone has enough to eat.

When the emergency early dismissal was announced due to a building-wide plumbing issue, the news for most students was a welcome surprise. But for ten-year-old Leo, it meant something far more serious. When his teacher announced that no lunch would be served, his shoulders slumped and he began to cry. He explained that a recent power outage meant there would be no lunch for him at home either.

Thankfully, the school was prepared. Because of the Food For Kids program, there were already boxes of food packed and ready for situations just like this. Without hesitation, his teacher was able to give him a bag of non-perishable food, ensuring he wouldn’t go hungry that day. This simple act of having resources on hand made all the difference.

Beyond that single meal, the school used the opportunity to sign Leo up for the Food For Kids program permanently and connect his family to the local food pantry and HEAP programs for ongoing support. A building emergency became the catalyst for a lasting solution, providing stability and relief for Leo and his family.

VETERAN

INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LEGAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

VetZero Program

Hudson River Housing, Inc. VetZero Program aids low-income veterans who are homeless or nearly so, with the primary goal of securing stable housing. It achieves this by providing vital services such as outreach, housing counseling, assistance with upfront housing costs, transportation, benefit support, and service linkages. This enables the program to quickly transition veterans into housing and offer the ongoing support required for them to maintain housing stability.

Free Civil Legal Services for Veterans and Military Families Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Legal Services for Veterans & Military Families provides free, comprehensive civil legal services to veterans and military family members residing in Dutchess and Orange County. These services span a range of practice areas, including Public Benefits/Income Stabilization; Housing/ Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention, and Intensive STEHP Casework Services (Orange County only); Domestic Violence/Family Law; Disability Law; Elder Law; LGBTQ; and Veterans & Military Families Law.