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Welcome from President & CEO and Chair of the Board

Welcome! We are deeply honored to have you join us as we recognize outstanding organizations and companies dedicated to strengthening our community through health, education and ﬁnancial stability initiatives.

A special highlight of the evening will be presenting the Distinguished Leadership Award to RBT CPAs, LLP. Their unwavering commitment shines through their continued support of local nonproﬁts like the United Way.

Our immense gratitude goes out to the over 200 organizations that facilitated workplace campaigns. We especially recognize our Top Campaigns for exceeding expectations. Their dedication–from employee outreach to virtual presentations, fun events and supply drives–played a vital role in the campaign’s success.

As you know, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region remains steadfast in addressing critical community needs. This past year, we prevented evictions and helped families ﬁnd employment, provided school supplies for vulnerable children ensuring they had the tools they needed to succeed and offered free emergency transportation to medical appointments and crucial wraparound services.

None of this would be possible without our invaluable nonproﬁt partners. Through our Community Fund, we collaborate with over 40 key programs, providing essential resources for survival and long-term success. These critical programs offered food assistance for low-income families, safe and secure housing for families in need, and out-ofschool learning opportunities, especially crucial amidst the youth mental health crisis.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region’s Board of Directors and staff are tirelessly dedicated to extending a helping hand to those who need it most. Our emergency crisis programming ensures timely support when needed and our Days of Sharing provides essential items, making a signiﬁcant difference in people’s lives. This year alone, we distributed over $330,000 worth of goods in support of our community.

We are deeply grateful for your presence and support at this event. Your involvement is truly invaluable and we look forward to continuing to work together in building a stronger community for all.

Jeannie Montano, President & CEO Kevin Cleary, Chair of the Board

United Way Board of Directors United Way Staff

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

Arthur DeDominicis, CPA Certiﬁed Public Accountant & Consultants

Melissa A. Gaeke, Ph.D. Marist College

Christopher Gilbert

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Julia Kammerer

Dutchess County Department of Planning & Development

Timothy Kane IBM

Phillip Lekanides Rhinebeck Bank

Kadiyah Lodge, M.S. Ampact

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

*Advisory Board Member

Jeannie Montano

President & CEO

Lauren Spangler

Executive Assistant to the President & Oﬃce Manager

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Elizabeth Manning Vice President of Resource Development

Michelle Nepton

Donor Development Director

Kristie Hagen

Donor Development Manager

Susan Marchewka Events Manager

Maddy Shannon

Development Coordinator

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Melissa Clark, MA Vice President of Community Impact

Rebecca Lull

Director of Community Impact

Sharon Shah

Data and Prospect Research Manager

Kendra Anderson

DC NOEP Outreach Coordinator

Isabella Hulihan

OC NOEP Outreach Coordinator

Lorraine Middleton

Food Insecurity VISTA

Deidre Sepp Financial Empowerment VISTA

Natalya Shemchuk Financial Pathways VISTA

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Sue Manning Vice President of Finance & Administration

Jane Johnson Director of Finance

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

Samantha Lowe

Marketing Manager

Patricia Ten

Marketing Associate

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024

City Winery, Montgomery, NY

5:30PM

celebration PROGRAM OF SERVICE

Cocktail Reception, Online Auction 6:30 – 8:30PM Dinner, Awards Ceremony, Entertainment & Live Auction

Emcee Welcome

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy & Ryan Dutcher

President’s Introduction

United Way President & CEO: Jeannie Montano

Chairman’s Introduction

United Way Chairman: Kevin Cleary

Top Campaign Recognition

Dinner

Live Auction

United Way Mission Moment

Distinguished Leadership Award

RBT CPAs, LLP

Talent United Contest Winners

Closing

Thank You to our Premier Annual Sponsors

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

M&T Bank

Pratt & Whitney

Annual Sponsors

IBM Corporation

RBT CPAs, LLP

Resorts World Hudson Valley & Resorts World Catskill

TD Bank

Ulster Savings Bank

Silver Sponsor

Prager Metis CPAs LLP

Bronze Sponsors

Kevin Cleary & Holly Wahlberg

Candy & Bill Davies

Partner Sponsors

A.M.P. Masonry, Inc

Arthur DeDominicis Accountant and Certiﬁed Consultants

Bruderhof at Fox Hill

DSL Financial Services

Hudson Valley Credit Union

KeyBank

Marshall & Sterling Insurance

Media

Talent United Sponsor

RBT CPAs, LLP

Merrill Lynch

Precision Pipeline Solutions

Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union

Mutual of America

Nuvance Health

PKF O’Connor Davies

RBT CPAs, LLP

Tompkins Financial

Vassar College

Pamal Broadcasting

Wall Radio

Honorary Committee

Sheila Appel

Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Z. Aronzon

Dr. Elizabeth H. Bradley

Christopher Capone

Frank M. Castella, Jr.

Fred Clarke, Esq.

Kevin J. Cleary

Matthew Cruz

Catherine (Candy) E. Davies

Arthur DeDominicis, CPA

Ryan Dutcher

Tim Eisentraut

Melissa A. Gaeke, Ph.D

Michael J. Gilfeather

Steve and Susan Howell

Julia Kammerer

Timothy Kane

Steven and Linda Lant

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy

Phillip Lekanides

Kadiyah Lodge

Michael Mazzuca

Sharon A. McGinnis

Jeannie Montano

Hon. Steven M. Neuhaus

Marta Newkirk

Michelle S. O’Reilly

John P. O’Shea

John F. Rath, III

Senator Robert Rolison

Barry and Rita Rothfeld

Elizabeth “Biz” Rowley

Hon. Sue Serino

Senator James Skouﬁs

John Stroligo

Mark Villanti

Laura Washington

Kevin C. Weinman

Dr. Kristine M. Young

Thank You City Winery for being our Wine Dinner Sponsor

Former Distinguished Leadership Award Recipients

2015 Steven V. Lant

Steven V. Lant was our ﬁrst recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award in 2015. In 2014 Steve retired as President and CEO of CH Energy Group and CEO of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. Steve has served in many volunteer roles with United Way including Interim President and CEO and Board Chair. Steve and his wife, Linda, are members of the United Way Tocqueville Society.

2016 Daniel Z. Aronzon, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Daniel Z. Aronzon was one of the founding partners and Medical Director of The Children’s Medical Group and served as President and CEO of Vassar Brothers Medical Center from 2004-2011. Danny is a longtime United Way volunteer including serving as Chair of the Board and is a Leadership Society member.

2017 Steve E. Howell, CPA, DABFA

Steve E. Howell is a Director at RBT CPAs, LLP. Steve has volunteered with United Way for many years including serving as Chair of the Board. Steve and his wife, Susan, are members of the United Way Tocqueville Society.

2018 Denise Doring VanBuren

Denise Doring VanBuren is the 45th President General of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and previously worked at Central Hudson for over 25 years. During that time, Denise served on the United Way Board, as Campaign Chair and on the Campaign Leadership Team.

2019 Maureen Halahan

Maureen Halahan has served as President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership since 2002. She was a longtime member of the United Way Board of Directors and served on the Campaign Leadership Team.

2020 Frontline Workers

We saluted hero Frontline workers and First Responders from Dutchess and Orange Counties as our Distinguished Leaders in 2020.

2021 KeyBank

KeyBank’s roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. KeyBank has a deep commitment to the communities where its employees work and live. We each have the power to change communities for the better. That’s why KeyBank supports and encourages its employees as they volunteer. Working together, all of us can create communities that will support and sustain positive growth.

2022 Adams Fairacre Farms

Adams Fairacre Farms is a community-minded business that loves to give back and they encourage their employees to give back as well. For many years, they have run successful workplace campaigns in their stores; they are deeply committed to serving their customers with the best fresh produce around, and they bring that same sense of commitment to their philanthropy and “fun”raising efforts that beneﬁt the Dutchess and Orange communities at large.

2023 Millbrook Vineyards & Winery

Located in the heart of New York’s historical and bountiful Hudson River Valley, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery ﬂourishes atop a 130-acre estate. Millbrook Winery is a unique combination of history, agriculture, family, and dedication to excellence. Having a long-standing commitment to the local community, the Dyson Family and Millbrook Winery take great pride in being able to support not-for-proﬁ t organizations throughout the Hudson Valley like United Way.

Distinguished Leadership Award Recipient RBT CPAs, LLP

At RBT CPAs, LLP they believe listening, combined with expertise, creates understanding. This approach is evident in the diversity and depth of services offered to their clients, and in their commitment to meeting their unique challenges and goals. As a Certiﬁed Public Accounting ﬁrm, they celebrate 55 years of experience providing accounting, auditing, tax, and advisory services to their clients.

With their roots stretching back to 1969, RBT has grown signiﬁcantly from its early beginnings thanks to their collective dedication and unwavering team values.

Ranked among the top 200 largest US CPA Firms out of 42,000 US firms, RBT CPAs is the 3rd Fastest Growing Firm ranked by Inside Public Accounting. Their team of over 150 professionals includes 26 partners and more than 50 Certified Public Accountants. There are over 25 professionals dedicated to their audit department including a compliance and technical standards partner. Their entire team remains actively involved through a distinctly hands-on approach to leading and managing clients. What does this mean? Their process is not one-size-fi ts-all. Because the variety of their client base is so diverse, they understand that each client requires unique, personalized service from their team.

As a mid-sized public accounting firm in the New York Metro Area, they serve governmental entities, commercial privately held entities, not-for-profi t organizations, and the individuals that lead them primarily located in the Hudson Valley and New York Metropolitan Area. They have a strong regional presence, with offices located in Orange, Columbia, Dutchess, Sullivan and Ulster Counties as well as New York City. However, it’s not just the physical convenience of their office spaces, but the omnipresence of their team members engrained within their communities, that truly sets them apart. Each member of their firm is connected to the communities they serve, and they each recognize their personal and professional commitment to enhance the vibrancy and development of the places they call home. They are uniquely positioned to serve organizations with rich local history as well as innovative rising startups. They are capable of servicing clients on a national scale and maintain a proven record of achievement in providing high quality service and building lasting client relationships. Their highly qualified team allows them to provide their clients with the personal attention they deserve to help them succeed and grow.

Welcome to Tonight’s Emcees ANNE MARIE LEAMY & RYAN DUTCHER

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy has been in broadcasting for over 17 years, hosting morning radio across the tri-state area, most proudly in the beautiful Hudson Valley. She has three sons, Michael, Christian and Aidan. Her rock all these years has been her husband, Sean. She enjoys bringing joy and information to your morning routine, spotlighting local businesses and giving back to the community. She currently hosts Foxx and Annie in the Morning on WCBS FM 101.1. She’d love to connect. Find her on FB/Instagram @annieonair.

Ryan Dutcher is a full time entertainer, illusionist, and comedian born and raised in the Hudson Valley. He launched his career through philanthropic work for charitable organizations and enjoys being engaged in the community. You have seen him on some of your favorite TV shows and movies. He has opened for some of today’s biggest super stars, and travels the country restoring laughter and wonder! He was also just named the Best Comedian of the Hudson Valley. When not performing, Ryan loves spending time with his rescue pup Copper (extra bonus points if you know who he’s named after) and his beautiful girlfriend Maria. Ryan is living proof that you are never too young or old to start living your dream. Connect with him on social media @illusionistryandutcher or visit www.RyanDutcher.com

2023 Campaign Award Recipients

TOP CAMPAIGNS

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

RBT CPAs, LLP

IBM Corporation

Hudson Valley Credit Union

Adams Fairacre Farms

Orange Bank & Trust Company

Hannaford Supermarkets

James L. Taylor

Manufacturing Company

C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.

Marshall & Sterling Insurance

TOP GROWTH AWARD

Ulster Savings Bank

TOP CAMPAIGN AWARD WINNERS

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., is an energy delivery company headquartered in Poughkeepsie, New York. The utility serves approximately 315,000 electric and 90,000 natural gas customers in eight counties of New York State’s Mid-Hudson River Valley, delivering natural gas and electricity in a 2,600-square-mile service territory that extends north from the suburbs of metropolitan New York City to the Capital District around Albany. Central Hudson supports local community service and business organizations, and also offers value-added products and services, including energy eﬃciency and economic development programs. www.CentralHudson.com

RBT CPAs, LLP, with their roots stretching back to 1969, has grown signifi cantly from its early beginnings thanks to their collective dedication and unwavering team values. Ranked among the top 200 largest US CPA Firms out of 42,000 US fi rms, RBT CPAs is the 3rd Fastest Growing Firm ranked by Inside Public Accounting. Their team of over 150 professionals includes 26 partners and more than 50 Certifi ed Public Accountants. There are over 25 professionals dedicated to their audit department including a compliance and technical standards partner. Their entire team remains actively involved through a distinctly hands-on approach to leading and managing clients. Their process is not one-size-fi ts-all. Because the variety of their client base is so diverse, they understand that each client requires unique, personalized service from their team. www.rbtcpas.com

IBM is the world’s leading cognitive solutions and cloud platform company for the enterprise. IBM creates value for clients through integrated solutions and products that leverage the full spectrum of data, the most advanced information technology, deep expertise in industries and business processes, a broad ecosystem of partners and alliances and the world’s premier industrial research labs. www.ibm.com

Hudson Valley Credit Union has been serving our region proudly for more than 60 years. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, HVCU strives to foster financial freedom and a better quality of life for everyone in our community, regardless of their membership status. Whether it’s a first checking account, business expansion, or retirement planning – their team is here to help. To learn more, visit hvcu.org or stop by one of 21 branches in Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester Counties. www.hvcu.org

At Adams Fairacre Farms, we see every day as an opportunity to share our unique shopping experience from the backyard to the kitchen table. At the heart of Adams is a friendly, knowledgeable staff, dedicated to helping you get what you need and find what you love. Family-founded and deeply rooted in the community since 1919. We are committed to serving our customers with the best selection of local products and freshest produce around. We now have five locations and each store supports local farmers who have been providing the Hudson Valley with a quality product for generations. Because we began as farmers, we have tremendous respect for the farmers we work with across our region. When you shop at Adams you’ll learn that our produce comes from farmers who grow responsibly and put their livelihoods on the line to bring their best from the fields to every Adams market. You’ll get to know the names, and we regularly tell their stories. To learn more about us, visit www. adamsfarms.com.

Orange Bank & Trust Company was founded over 130 years ago and is a leading provider of business banking and trust services in the Hudson Valley with 16 locations in Orange, Rockland, Westchester and the Bronx. While growing, Orange Bank & Trust has continued to focus on providing community banking services, based on personal relationships for businesses, organizations and individuals. Today, their experience and breadth of services combined with continued commitment to local ownership in giving local residents and businesses a ﬁnancial partner that has the strength and independence to meet their needs. “When you need Orange Bank & Trust to take action in a timely fashion, we are close enough and independent enough to move quickly.” They offer a full variety of banking products and services for businesses, municipalities, not-for-proﬁt organizations, and individuals. www. orangebanktrust.com

Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine, way back in 1883 - so they know a thing or two about quality. Hannaford is still connected to those early roots as a local market, and the connection they have to the sources of their fresh foods is core to the way they do business. www.hannaford.com

The James L. Taylor Manufacturing Company was founded in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1911 to produce a quick-adjusting, self-locking bar clamp. This began a series of innovations that have established James L. Taylor as the leader in machinery used in the production of wood products. Today, the company is comprised of three divisions: Taylor, JLT Clamps, and Cameron Automation. These three product lines are all manufactured in the same building-a recently purchased 100,000 square foot facility on Salt Point Turnpike in 2017. This move has allowed them to expand as a company and improve their manufacturing processes and continue to create new technology. We are the proud winners of ﬁve separate “New Technology” awards since 1986 which are presented at our biannual Machinery Exhibition (IWF Atlanta). www.jamesltaylor.com

C&S Wholesale Grocers is the lead supply chain company in the food industry today – and the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. They supply independent supermarkets, chain stores and institutions with over 140,000 different products – from more than 50 high-tech facilities, including Chester, delivering everything from seafood to soup. In fact, if it belongs on a supermarket shelf, it’s probably moving through a C&S warehouse right now. www.cswg.com

Marshall+Sterling is the 36th largest U.S. independent insurance brokerage, with total annual written premiums in excess of $1 billion. A 100% employee-owned company with more than 550 insurance specialists in 36 oﬃces across six states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall & Sterling has been recognized for its exceptional insurance services and for its commitment to the communities it serves. The company is a “Best Practices Agency” and is ranked among the top performers in the annual Best Practices Study conducted by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and Reagan Consulting. The experienced team at Marshall+Sterling is here to help secure your success, providing personal and commercial insurance, risk management support and guidance, employee beneﬁts strategies, and wealth management services. Learn more by visiting www.marshallsterling.com

TOP GROWTH CAMPAIGN AWARD

Ulster Savings Bank is more than just an award-winning bank. Supporting local is at the heart of everything they do. Whether it’s supporting the community with over $619,000 in donations last year, fi nding the right fi nancing solution for a property or small business, providing convenient banking options like remote deposit so you never need to leave your offi ce or protecting what matters most with proper insurance coverage, Ulster Savings has it all. No stockholders at this bank! That means their focus is solely on their customers and community. In their 173rd year, they continue to be an independent, well-capitalized, mutual savings bank that enhances lives through leadership and service. Last year, over 5,000 employee hours were donated to organizations who asked for volunteers. To take the extra time, to go that extra mile, to provide the unexpected, makes banking with Ulster Savings more than just a transaction. It’s a place where you just can’t help but feel you’re at a bank where you and community truly matter.

2023 United Way Campaign

2023 Campaign Chair

Christopher Gilbert

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Member of United Way Board of Directors

Resource Development Committee

Tim Eisentraut

Chair of Resource Development Committee

Member of United Way Board of Directors

UPS

Carolynn Alvarez

Precision Pipeline Solutions

Kevin Cleary

Chair of United Way Board of Directors

Retired, IBM Corporation

Loaned Executives

Sharon McGinnis

Member of United Way Board of Directors

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Shelby Outwater

Hyde Park Central School District

Thank you to our Loaned Executives and the organizations that share them with us. The workplace campaign is a monumental fundraising effort, and we couldn’t do it without the many hours of work these talented individuals invest in making our community a stronger, healthier place to live and work!

Joanne Crimi

IBM Corporation

Employee Campaign Managers

Theresa Athanas

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

We want to extend our gratitude to the more than 200 individuals who have committed to manage the campaigns for your workplace. We know the hard work and commitment it takes to run a great campaign and share the work of United Way within your organization. You are the backbone of our workplace campaign.

2023 Campaign Partners

Adams Fairacre Farms*

AmericanExpress*

Arlington Central School District

AT&T*

Ball Corp*

Berkshire Bank

BMO Harris Bank & BMO Capital Markets*

BNY Mellon Community Partnership*

Bon Secours Health System

C&S Wholesale Grocers*

Carpenter & Smith

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.*

The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County

Dutchess County Government

Dutchess Day School

Dutchess Tourism, Inc

EFCO Products, Inc*

Elevance Health*

Emery and Webb, Inc

Enlarged City School District of Middletown

Enterprise Holdings

Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions

Family Services, Inc

Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

FedEx Corporation*

Focus Media

Gannett Fleming

Global Foundries*

Grace Smith House

Hannaford Supermarkets*

Hickey Finn and Company Insurance*

HONOR, Inc

Hudson Valley Credit Union*

IBM Corporation

Illinois Tool Works*

James L Taylor Manufacturing Company*

JCPenney

Jewish Family Service of Orange County

Joy Insurance Agency, Inc

JP Morgan Chase*

Kennametal Inc

Kirshon & Company, PC

Kiryas Joel Village Union Free School District

LaBella Associates

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis LLP

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley

Macy’s, Inc

Marshall and Sterling Insurance

Masci, Hale & Wilson Advanced Aesthetic and Restoritive Dentistry

McCabe and Mack LLP

Metal Container Corporation*

Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union

Millbrook Central School District

Nationwide

New York Life Insurance

Newburgh Enlarged City School District

Onsemi

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc*

Orange Bank & Trust Company*

Orange County Government

Orange County Partnership

Orange Ulster BOCES

Pawling Corporation

Paychex

Pine Bush Central School District

Pine Plains Central School District

Poughkeepsie City School District

Poughkeepsie Public Library District

Prager Metis CPAs*

Precision Pipeline Solutions

Price Chopper

RBT CPAs, LLP *

Rhinebeck Bank*

Rhinebeck Central School District

Riverside Bank

SEI

Spackenkill Union Free School District

SUNY Orange

Target

TD Bank Corporation

TEG Federal Credit Union*

The ARC of Greater Hudson Valley

Th!nk Dutchess Alliance for Business

Thrivent Financial

TJX

Tompkins Mahopac Bank

TOPS Friendly Markets*

Torrco

Town of Chester

Town of Hyde Park

Ulster Savings Bank*

UPS*

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

USAA*

Valley Central School District

Verizon

Wappingers Central School District

Washingtonville Central School District

Westage Management LLC

*Indicates the company gave a corporate gift.

United Way Community Partners

EDUCATION

Goal: Develop opportunities for lifelong learning to increase skill-based development

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County, Inc.

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.

Hudson River Housing Inc.

The Follow Through Program aims to increase the long-term financial and housing stability of low-income, homeless households during and after their transition to permanent housing. Support is provided for up to a year as households work toward increasing financial security, sustaining housing and achieving other self-sufficiency goals.

The Art Effect

Sparks Studios provides 60 underserved 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.

The Osborne Association Inc.

Youth Experience Success (YES) offers wrap-around services to disadvantaged youth in Newburgh intended to create opportunities and teach lifelong skills that will carry them into adulthood. The program will provide positive youth development and educational support (including literacy services), cognitive-behavioral therapy, substance use disorder prevention education and various workshops.

EDUCATION

Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh

Goal: Increase opportunities for positive youth development and literacy services

The Early Literacy Center is intended to improve academic outcomes for youth through literacy instruction. The program operates during the school year, Monday - Friday 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.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County

Green Teen Positive Youth Development through Workforce Training offers youth aged 14-19 to attend programs three times per week. Using Positive Youth Development (PYD) strategies, staff mentor them, focusing on their strengths and interests to build engagement, develop self-eﬃcacy and give them the conﬁdence and social-emotional skills to exert control over their own motivation, behaviors and social environment. Youth learn as they are taught vocational and employment skills.

Culture Connect

Community Connect is an after-school and summer academic enrichment program for K- 5 ESL 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, building their conﬁdence and improving their social development.

Family Services Inc.

The Teen Resource Activity Center (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 and 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.

Finish Strong Wellness Center

Finish Strong Wellness Program PK REACH! targets ﬁve vital areas of youth psychosocial development: R=Restorative Justice/ Racial Identity; E=Emotional/Social Skill Development; A=Academic Success; C=Career Readiness; H=Health and Wellness. PK REACH! has a mentorship component where participants that have reached milestones in these ﬁve areas can complete leadership training, become Junior Youth Counselors and receive stipends.

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.

Land to Learn

SproutEd Beacon & Newburgh is a garden-based educational program for K-2 students. We maintain school food gardens and deliver lessons during the school day, year-round, that educate students 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.

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, Inc.

Book Buddies recruits volunteers to read one-to-one with 3-4th grade 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.

NAMI Mid Hudson Inc.

Positive Youth Development via Ending the Silence Mental Health Education is a 50 minute presentation to high school students given by a certiﬁed NAMI lead presenter & a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. ETS addresses substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, bullying and overcoming stigma. It raises awareness & changes perceptions about mental health & instills good citizenship skills to help their peers.

Newburgh Armory Unity Center Inc.

Educational Programming (2023-2024) is a Saturday program. Pre-K to 8th grade youth take classes in reading, writing, STEM and the arts to develop scholastic ability, life skills and emotional intelligence. Sports programs provide skills and introduce leadership and team building. After school programs range from literacy to STEAM, restorative circles and career exploration. Their basketball league also serves over 250 youth. All programming is free.

Northeast Community Council Inc.

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 that deter harmful behaviors, chosen by the Program Director.

Vassar College - Vassar College Urban Education Initiative

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

Warwick Community Bandwagon Inc.

DBA Warwick Valley Community Center Educational Non Proﬁt 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 SECURITY

Goal: Improve access to resources to alleviate short-term ﬁnancial crisis in order to increase local families’ economic position

Catholic Charities Community Services of Dutchess County

Financial Stability Program provides assistance for neighbors in crisis 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 voicemail, is huge for those looking for help. All requests for assistance are triaged by the Coordinator & Executive Director and if appropriate are assigned a case manager by the latter.

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County, Inc.

Crisis Intervention & Case Management 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 will be diﬃcult and lengthy.

Cornerstone Family Healthcare

The Healthy Connections Program provides homeless patients with prescription drugs, medical supplies, taxi vouchers and food. Patients’ health outcomes are subsequently tracked by Harper Health staff to measure program success.

Dutchess Outreach

Emergency Assistance program provides clients ﬁnancial support for utilities, rent/security deposits and other support during times of crisis and when they need it most.

Fearless! Hudson Valley

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.

Grace Smith House

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

Hudson River Housing Inc.

Housing Navigator program 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 child care, health care, legal services and other community resources.

Jewish Family Service of Orange County

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.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Income Stabilization & Consumer Law Services for Residents of Dutchess and Orange Counties provides legal assistance to individuals who have been incorrectly denied, or terminated from, public assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, unemployment insurance, Social Security, SSI, SSD, Medicaid & Medicare and Veterans Beneﬁts and handles Consumer Law cases, as a means of stabilizing household incomes at a subsistence level.

FINANCIAL SECURITY

Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition

Tax Preparation Program provides free tax preparation service for low- and moderate-income residents helping them to claim all available refunds applicable to their personal situation. Goal: Increasing annual earnings and workplace advancement of individuals and families in our region

HEALTH

Goal: Increase access to healthy food for families in our community

Common Ground Farm

The Beacon School Food Access (BSFA) program ensures that vulnerable students have access to fresh, nutritious food. They distribute groceries to students each Friday to ensure that they have food over the weekend. They will also encourage families to participate in their market-based food access programs by providing coupons that double purchasing power at the Beacon Farmers’ Market.

Food Bank of The Hudson Valley

Food for Dutchess and Orange County Feeding Programs 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 the agencies’ capacity and enable them to feed more people.

Food for Kids

Food For Kids currently serves 194 students on a weekly basis from all ﬁve buildings of the WCSD. They provide enough food to cover two breakfasts, two lunches, drinks, and snacks for the weekend. They provide additional food when there are longer holiday weekends or extended school breaks. Throughout the summer, they provide breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks to cover seven days of the week for nine weeks.

Northeast Community Council

NECC Food Access Program supports Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants using the NECC Food Pantry and other food pantries in northeast Dutchess. This includes the purchase of staple foods, coordinated distribution to pantries, staff time for multilingual support of pantry guests and management of the client choice pantry model at NECC. The program includes weekly Spanish language case management consulting.

Pawling Resource Center

Food Insecurity Program provides round trip rides to medical appointments for Pawling residents. Clients can also access rides to a local grocer, the food pantry or receive a food delivery if they are homebound. All services are offered Monday through Friday at the client’s request and the second Saturday of each month the food pantry is open from 10 am to 3 pm (no rides/deliveries on Saturdays).

Poughkeepsie Farm Project

PFP Foodshare Program works to eliminate food apartheid and create food sovereignty in our community by distributing fresh, wholesome produce to community members who do not have access to this local food source due to social and racial injustice. We do this through donations to local emergency food partners and free produce distributions by PFP educators.

VETERANS

Goal: Help veterans and their families’ access affordable and safe housing that meets their needs

Hudson River Housing, Inc.

HRH’s VetZero Program provides housing assistance to address the needs of low-income veterans who are homeless or are at imminent risk of homelessness. Services ensure that veterans are quickly placed in stable housing and includes outreach, housing counseling, assistance with initial housing costs, transportation and service linkages to help them sustain housing or obtain entitled beneﬁts.

VETERANS

Goal: Help veterans and their families to access legal services

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Civil Legal Services for Veterans and Military Families, Dutchess & Orange program 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 Law; Elder Law; LGBTQ; Veterans & Military Families Law.

KEY COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Hudson Valley 2-1-1 Helpline

A free, conﬁdential, multilingual service to assist the public in ﬁnding the answers to a variety of Health and Human Services related questions. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Mid-Hudson Valley Community Proﬁles

Is an indicator project and resource that assesses our Mid-Hudson Valley region to quantify strengths and challenges, and help determine priorities and launch community-wide discussions about improving quality of life.

Lorraine Middleton

I am the ﬁrst born child to my parents and was naturally a leader to my siblings while growing up. This innate leadership trait continued throughout high school and college where I served as a Class Captain and a Computer Lab Assistant, respectively. I believe that serving in these capacities has developed in me a nurturing heart of servitude to those in my community who are in need of help. Whether that community is family, neighbor, friend or associate, my natural reaction is always to see how I can help to effect change for the better. Volunteering as a VISTA at United Way has provided multitudes of opportunities for me to do just that. I enjoy the day to day activities of rolling up my sleeves to join a team of staff members who joyfully give back to the underserved - without any reservations. One day we are giving out back to school supplies, the next day we are giving diapers to needy families in the community, the next day we are at a Women’s Leadership Conference learning effective leadership skills with which to positively impact future generations. I think I have found my calling, I think I have seen how the world can truly live united, and this is why I have happily signed up for a second year as VISTA!

Deidre Sepp

After retiring from 40 years as a career development professional at Mount Saint Mary College, Susquehanna University, and Marist College, I joined AmeriCorps as a Financial Empowerment VISTA for the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. My role is to help those living in our area who are at or below the poverty line to achieve ﬁnancial stability and independence. I have served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and Mount Gulian Historic Site, and as president of the PTO at Poughkeepsie Day School. I am a member of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby and have served as a facilitator for Parents’ Anonymous, a self-help group for parents with the goal of preventing child abuse and providing support for parents. I am also a theater nerd, performing with a number local theater companies. Offstage, I work in the summer at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in Garrison. Thanks to the fabulous team at United Way for putting me to good use!

Natalya Shemchuk

I am always have been passionate about helping others. I am happy that AmeriCorps gave me the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives by volunteering here at United Way. When I joined as Financial Pathways VISTA, I could see how many people need help obtaining ﬁnancial stability. Working on various projects through the Food Bank or helping people during short crises with essential needs I realized that every effort counts and together we can help people who are struggling through hunger or ﬁnancial crisis to feel economically secure. Hearing the success stories of people makes you understand how important what we are doing. I appreciate that in United Way I can be a part of their invaluable work.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

United Way is Making an Impact!

Days of Caring and Volunteerism

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is proud to be recognized as a regional volunteer center of New York State. We have a network of approximately 3,500 volunteers working together to donate their time and efforts to making our community a better place. We operate a volunteer portal which offers hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. United Way hosts ﬁve signature volunteer events throughout the year called our Days of Caring. Our Days of Caring are Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and the 21-Day Equity Challenge in January, National Volunteer Week in April, Juneteenth Equity Challenge and Day of Action in June, 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance in September and Make A Difference Week in October. With the help of our nonproﬁt partners and generous volunteer groups, we are able to complete close to 30 capacity building projects throughout the year.

Days of Sharing and The Louis Greenspan Children’s Corner

This program meets the increased needs of the community, including those of children. We host an annual Diaper Drive in which we distribute 100,000 diapers to new parents facing financial hardships, as well as equip students returning to school with urgently needed school supplies each fall. We offer basic need items to representatives from nonprofits, faith-based organizations and schools that serve individuals and families in Dutchess & Orange counties. We offer clothing, bedding, home goods, children’s books, office supplies and an entire room designated for children’s items called The Louis Greenspan Children’s Corner. This special space has many items that families need when raising children including diapers and hygiene items.

Financial Stability Project

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is one of the few United Ways across the country to be selected to host three AmeriCorps VISTA service members focusing their year of service on economic mobility in our community. Through this AmeriCorps supported program, United Way is able to coordinate and offer free ﬁnancial literacy workshops and support free tax preparation programming in an effort to alleviate poverty.

ESPRI Newburgh

Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative was awarded to the City of Newburgh in 2016; United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is the coordinating agency and has enhanced the community’s capacity to respond to human service needs throughout the pandemic through the ESPRI Task Force. The focus of the initiative is to impact intergenerational poverty through engaging the voices of those most affected by poverty. Newburgh ESPRI has a focus to inform systems change to better serve the needs of the most vulnerable communities, while granting funding to disrupt the cycle that keeps people in poverty.

NOEP Coordinators for Dutchess and Orange Counties

Nutrition Outreach Education Program is a free and confidential service provided by United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. There are two NOEP Coordinators to provide one on one services to help families and individuals determine if their household is eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), previously known as Food Stamps. One of our NOEP Coordinators can help you find out if you qualify for SNAP, fill out and file your application, gather documentation, and recertify each year that you need your benefits. NOEP Coordinators can also answer any questions you may have about the process at any time. Contact one of our NOEP Coordinators to find out if you qualify or if you have any questions!