Issuu

FEBRUARY 25, 2026

The Grandview

176 Rinaldi Blvd, Poughkeepsie

Featuring Tara Rosenblum, guest speaker

News 12 Network veteran anchor, host and investigative reporter

Emcee, Anne Marie Leamy

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 Third 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 the visionaries and culture-shifters who have profoundly impacted others’ lives.

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region swiftly addresses critical community issues by providing essential services, including eviction prevention, job assistance, food access, literacy initiatives, and school supply distribution through our Essential Supply Hub. We also offer free emergency transportation to food pantries and vaccination sites, along with crucial wraparound services.

We are particularly honored to feature speakers from two of our vital community partners today: Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster and Grace Smith House. Their work provides a critical safety net for our neighbors, offering compassionate support to those facing crisis and empowering survivors of domestic violence to find safety and independence. We thank them for sharing their stories and their tireless advocacy for the vulnerable.

We would like to thank our wonderful guest speaker, Tara Rosenblum, for joining us today. As a veteran anchor and investigative reporter for the News 12 Network, Tara’s dedication to storytelling and community advocacy inspires us all. We also extend our gratitude to our amazing emcee, Annie Leamy, for her continued support and energy. A special thank you to the nonprofit organizations and women-owned businesses tabling with us today, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and service-driven heart of our region, as well as to our event sponsors, volunteer committee, and the various auction and raffle donors.

We are thankful and 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.

Jeannie Montano President & CEO

Kevin Cleary Chair of the Board

luncheon program

our emcee

Anne Marie “Annie” Leamy, emcee, has been hosting mornings on the radio for close to 20 years. Her rock all these years has been her husband, Sean. He’s an elementary school teacher and collegiate basketball coach at Pace University. She has three boys, Michael, Christian and Aidan. Being outnumbered by the boys, she’s grateful to have her rescue dog, Maple. She resides in the Hudson Valley. She’s always ready to make new friends. Find her @annieonair on social media.

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Welcome - Annie Leamy .........................................................................................................

Jeannie Montano - President & CEO Remarks

Kevin Cleary - Chair of the Board Remarks

Tara Rosenblum - Guest Speaker Q&A

Kim Dangerfield - Grace Smith House

Cristina Saito - Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster

guest speaker

Tara Rosenblum, guest speaker, is a veteran anchor, host and investigative reporter for the News 12 Network, specializing in political reporting, breaking news and long-form investigative journalism. She is one of the most award-winning local TV reporters in the nation, with more than 300 industry accolades, including two National Edward R. Murrow Awards (2017, 2022), 71 Emmy wins and 221 Emmy nominations. From 2014 and in every year between 2016 and 2024, she was the most Emmy-nominated TV reporter in the New York market. She has been recognized as New York’s top general assignment, political and investigative journalist.

non-profit spotlights

Since 1981, Grace Smith House has provided free, confidential services to domestic violence survivors in Dutchess County. Their mission is to empower individuals and families to live free from abuse through comprehensive support, including a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy.

They also offer community outreach and educational programs for all ages to raise awareness and prevent future violence. www.gracesmithhouse.org

Cristina Saito is the Director of Human Services at Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan & Ulster. An Ecuadorian immigrant with over 20 years of experience, she holds an MSW from Adelphi University. Cristina leads Hudson Valley programs focused on housing, food security, and emergency assistance, driven by a passion for advocacy and uplifting vulnerable families.

thank you to our committee

Many thanks to our wonderful committee of dedicated women that have helped promote the work of Women United and this event. Their inspiration and wisdom have led to a successful “Women Empowering Women“ leadership luncheon.

Sheba Abrahaim

Sabrina Alloca

Gunta Broderick

LaTanya Bryant

Heather Cimorelli

Felicita Colon-Cordero

Kathleen Contreras

Jasmin Davis

Ellen Dumbleton

Kathy Fisher

Nicole Gilmartin

Kristie Hagen

Jen Henion

Jessica Kaznowski

Debbie Kohanek

Margaret Kranz

Samantha Lowe-Durling

Elizabeth Manning

Susan Marchewka

Vicki Mastronardi

Jeannie Montano

Kerry Moustakas

Shelby Outwater

Angela Rein

Rebecca Reynolds

Elizabeth Pelaez

Candy & Bill Davies

SILVER SPONSORS

Kevin Cleary & Holly Wahlberg

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

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Jasmine Bonnell

Resorts World Catskills

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 Electric Transmission LLC

Timothy Kane

Retired, IBM

Phillip Lekanides *

Rhinebeck Bank

Michael Lesler

Orange Bank & Trust Company

Sharon A. McGinnis

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Matthew Murphy Operations Group Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Marta Newkirk

Dutchess Community College

Barry Rothfeld *

Retired, Poughkeepsie Journal

John Stroligo

TD Bank

Mark Villanti

Retired Educator

* Advisory Board

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

Michelle Nepton Vice President of Grants & Institutional Giving

Susan Marchewka Director of Events

Anne Marie Schoonhoven Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving

Brienne Cliadakis Business Development Manager

Isabella Hamel

Donor Development Coordinator

COMMUNITY IMPACT DEPARTMENT

Rebecca Lull Vice President of Community Impact

Sharon Shah

Data and Prospect Research Manager

Michelle Macina Community Navigator

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.

Youth Force

Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, Inc.

Youth Force is a workforce development program 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.

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

Goal: Increase opportunities for positive youth development and literacy services

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.

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.

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 socialemotional 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 below their grade level. Volunteers are equipped with training on differentiated 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.

Life Skills

Warwick Valley Community Center

Life Skills for Teens is designed to cultivate internal assets and instill 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.

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-toperson 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.

Financial Stability

Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster

The Financial Stability program offers essential care coordination services to help vulnerable individuals and families achieve financial security. We 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, we empower children to thrive and enable families to become more engaged, contributing members of their community.

Case Management

Dutchess County Community Action Agency, Inc.

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 postpandemic 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.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP)

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 victims 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

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.

The 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 postassistance. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Food for Kids Program Food for Kids

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

Food For Kids supports an average of 250 students each week within the WCSD’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 of 2023, the program supplied breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks for a six-week duration.

Food Access Program

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.

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 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 (PFP)

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.

VETERAN

Increase accessibility to affordable housing and legal service 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.

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN

AS A FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED VENUE, OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE HOSTING EASY AND ENJOYABLE FROM OUR CULINARY CHEFS, TO OUR ENTHUSIASTIC STAFF, NOVELLAS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME