Funded by donations from Vassar College employees and students, the Community Works Campaign provides financial assistance to local not-for-profit organizations. Last year, the campaign raised $88,000 to donate to 14 area organizations. Our dollars go a long way. Consider this: a $30 donation to Dutchess Outreach provides nine meals for a family of four. Better yet, $50 purchases a whopping 417 pounds of food from the regional food bank to fill Poughkeepsie’s busiest food pantry and provide up to 300 hot meals a day for those who would otherwise go hungry.
“We’re very grateful for the significant contribution,” says Dutchess Outreach executive director Brian Riddell. “Our funding isn’t as steady and there have been fairly significant cuts. To have the Community Works funds available makes a big difference.” Dutchess Outreach has received funding since the program’s inception in 2001 and has used the donations for a number of things, including assisting HIV/AIDS patients with the purchase of medicine and to provide food for patients and their families. According to Riddell, support from Community Works was also one of the driving forces that helped the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library get up and running and get books on its shelves.
Community Works has also supported New Horizons every year. “We became fast allies,” says executive director Regis Obijiski. “Students volunteer here. We’re all neighbors, so for us to be named in Community Works is all the more gratifying.” The funding helps people acquire expensive prosthetics or wheel chairs and also assists in programming for support staff.
This year’s campaign supports 10 organizations and will run through mid-December. “We’re trying to raise money for groups doing important and innovative work and also to create a great sense of community on campus and to meet the needs of our neighbors,” explains Jeffrey Schneider, associate professor of German and this year’s director of Community Works. “Our goal is to increase the number of people on campus who have an opportunity to get to the know the agencies, particularly through our tours. Seeing is believing.”
Battered Women’s Services - Providing a 24-hour hotline, seven days a week, Battered Women’s Services also offers crisis intervention, advocacy services, and counseling, as well as a youth domestic violence prevention program.
Celebrating Community (John Flowers) - This grass roots organization sponsors voter education and community building events like an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Father’s Day Parade which attract over 3,000 people and serve to promote community pride.
Children’s Media Project - Focusing on media and technology, Children’s Media Project strives to create a positive teaching and learning environment. The award-winning programs teach youth how to create media, and how to critically evaluate it, along with the messages it carries. Children study and create public service announcements as well as their own short videos.
Circles of Planned Parenthood - Circles offers a number of programs to create a safer environment for LBGT youth, including social events and support groups, and provides training and assistance for health and human service workers and school districts.
Dutchess Outreach - Serving people facing food shortages, utility problems, or who lack essential medication or supplies, Dutchess Outreach also provides hot meals through the Food Pantry (last year, they provided 57,000 free meals to those in need, including over 1,650 children). The agency also runs the GIFTS program, which provides a nutritious meal to homebound HIV/AIDS patients and their dependent children, and offers resources, including help acquiring medication, for people with HIV/AIDS.
New Horizons - A resource for children and adults with disabilities, the center runs 19 community-based residences and assists people to live as independently as possible. The organization also operates Briggs Farm in Hyde Park.
River Haven - Assisting runaway and homeless youth for nearly 30 years, River Haven operates a crisis center and a shelter that provides short-term housing. Case managers and residential staff offer crisis intervention services and counseling, and help clients find employment, continue their education, and develop basic living skills. The agency also offers a transitional housing community for older youth (ages 16-21) capable of independent living.
Rural and Migrant Ministry - Through programs of youth empowerment and education, this multifaith organization has served rural and migrant people since 1981. The multifaith program works to overcome prejudice and poverty, while celebrating diversity and leadership development. The program also hosts youth arts groups and provides mentoring and scholarships.
Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library - Housing a collection of books, videos and programming for all kids, the library has built pride among African American children and will offer an adult research center in the future as well.
Sustainable Hudson Valley - Devoted to sustainable development, SHV’s goal is to foster economic and community development by promoting the use of renewable energy, integrating food sourcing, and implementing green building practices.