Voices of the Hudson Valley: What We Learned From You
Dear Friends and Community Members,
We are thrilled to announce our new report, Voices of the Hudson Valley: What We Learned From You. This report shares valuable insights gathered from residents, nonprofit leaders, and civic partners across Dutchess, Ulster, and Putnam counties over the past year.
This report focuses on the issues that matter most to the Hudson Valley—housing, education, mental health, food security, and the importance of a strong sense of community. It provides an honest reflection of our region’s pressing concerns and the aspects of our region we take pride in.
Key Highlights Include:
- Top Needs: We heard that rising housing costs, limited access to childcare and mental health services, and ongoing food insecurity are critical issues facing our residents.
- Regional Strengths: Many expressed pride in local libraries, arts, culture, and the unique character of our region—key assets that contribute to our community’s vibrancy.
- Shifting Demographics: Changes in our population, including an aging community and new waves of residents, are shaping our needs and presenting opportunities for innovation.
What This Means for Our Region:
The insights from this report will guide our efforts to:
- Focus on Community Needs: We aim to direct our support toward the most pressing concerns while remaining open to emerging issues.
- Build Stronger Partnerships: Collaborating with local nonprofits and civic leaders is essential for creating a positive impact together.
- Share Our Findings: We’re committed to keeping our community informed and engaged, showing that we are listening and responsive to your needs.
We encourage you to take a moment to read the report. Together, we can build an even stronger, more vibrant Hudson Valley.
Thank you for your support, and a special thanks to everyone who participated in our Community Conversations! Your insights and dedication have greatly enriched our efforts.
We extend our appreciation to the following Trustees and Advisory Committee members for their commitment and support:
- Ashley Alleyne, Trustee & Ulster Advisory Committee Member
- Ellie Charwat, Trustee & Dutchess Advisory Committee Member
- Bob Cotter, Board Chair & Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- T. Jefferson Cunningham III, Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- John Finch, Trustee & Ulster Advisory Committee Member
- G. Angela Henry, Trustee & Dutchess Advisory Committee Member
- Frances Knutsen, Trustee & Ulster Advisory Committee Member
- Frank E. Lucente, MD, Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- Friedrike Merck, Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- Marianne Murray, Ulster Advisory Committee
- Frederick Osborn III, Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- Nathaniel Prentice, Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- Anita Rice, Trustee & Putnam Advisory Committee Member
- Myrna Sameth, Trustee & Ulster Advisory Committee Member
- Rendesia Scott, Trustee
- Chip Simon, Trustee & Dutchess Advisory Committee Member
We encourage you to take a moment to read the report. Together, we can build an even stronger, more vibrant Hudson Valley community.
Thank you for your support, and a special thanks to everyone who participated in our Community Conversations! Your insights and dedication have greatly enriched our efforts.
How You Can Help
Your donation to the Fund for the Hudson Valley helps us respond to the urgent and ongoing needs we hear from residents and leaders—from housing and mental health to the rising cost of putting food on the table.
Nonprofits are stepping up in powerful ways, and your gift invests not only in their work but in a stronger region built on collaboration and lasting impact.
For gifts of $5,000 or more, you can establish a fund with CFHV to direct your giving in ways that reflect all of your values and priorities. Contact us at development@communityfoundationshv.org.
Organizations Represented at Community Conversations
We are grateful to the organizations that engaged with us during the Community Conversations, including:
- Adams Fairacre Farms
- Affinity BST Advisors
- Animal Farm Foundation
- AR Creative Productions
- Boscobel House and Gardens
- Brewster Cares
- Brewster Central School District
- Brewster Chamber of Commerce
- Brewster Theater Company
- Center for Creative Education
- Center for Prevention of Child Abuse
- Children’s Home of Kingston
- Circle of Friends for the Dying
- Cold Spring Speech Therapy
- Community Matters 2, Inc.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension – Dutchess County
- Cornell Cooperative Extension – Putnam
- Dutchess Outreach
- Equitable Advisors
- Ethan Allen
- Family of Woodstock
- Fareground Community Kitchen, Inc.
- Grace Smith House
- Green Chimneys
- Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County
- Harlem Valley Compassion Connection
- Houlihan Lawrence
- Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
- Hudson Valley Clubhouse
- Hudson Valley InterArts
- Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.
- Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
- Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
- HUDSY Community Project Inc.
- HV Clubhouse
- iHeart Media
- Insperity
- Kingston Lacrosse Booster Club
- Kingston Midtown Arts District – MKAD
- Kingston Midtown Rising
- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
- Mary Belle Books
- Maverick Concerts
- Mid-Hudson Energy
- Middleway School
- Millerton Community Park Project
- MyKingstonKids
- Old Dutch Church
- Opus 40
- Page and Petals
- Pattern For Progress
- Pegasus Therapeutic Riding
- People’s Place
- Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub, Inc.
- Philipstown Depot Theatre, Inc.
- Philipstown Food Pantry
- Philipstown Town Council
- Phoenicia Playhouse
- Putnam Service Dogs
- Radio Kingston Corporation
- Raymour & Flanigan
- Reunite Migrant Families
- RUPCO Inc.
- Seasoned Gives
- Second Chance Foods
- Senate Garage
- Southeast Museum
- St. John the Evangelist Church
- St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Cold Spring
- St. Philip’s Church Garrison
- Stissing Center for Arts and Culture
- Styles by Stacy
- Sustainable Putnam
- The Art Effect
- The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
- The Highlands Current
- The Overlook News
- Tompkins Corners Cultural Center
- Topfield Center
- Ulster Savings Bank
- Unshattered
- Upstate Films
- Walkway Over the Hudson
- Wesleyan Community Church of Shokan
- Woodstock Day School
- Woodstock Jewish Congregation
- Woodstock School of Art
- YWCA of Ulster County
We would also like to thank the local vendors who generously provided refreshments for our gatherings, enhancing the experience for all participants:
- Adams Fairacre Farms
- All That Java
- Bread Alone
- Hannaford
- Kobacker’s Market
- Tops
This effort would not have been possible without the care and dedication of our CFHV staff: Heather Eckardt, Kate Farinato, Elisabeth Giglio, Stephen Gnojewski, Margareth Tan Gorman, Darcy Kelly, Rebecca Libed, Serena Marrero, Cristin McPeake, Kevin Quilty, and Zoaya Schamberg. Special thanks to Tracy Pollock, Timothy Wroten, and the teams at MBM Marketing and Pattern for Progress.
With appreciation,
Laura Washington
President & CEO
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
Photos (from top): Landscape of the Hudson Valley, Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, Community Conversation in Poughkeepsie, Second Chance Foods in Brewster, Center for Creative Education in Kingston.
Published June 2025
