Community Works Committee
November 8, 2021
Dear Vassar Community Members,
The Community Works organizing committee is excited to announce the beginning of our 21st annual Community Works fundraising campaign!
This year we have established a goal of raising $87,500 from the Vassar faculty, administrative, staff, and service employees because the needs in the community are so great. The effects of the COVID pandemic are continuing to be felt among the community and our contributions have a major impact. We need your help to meet the needs of our neighbors in the Hudson Valley.
Please support the ten local non-profit organizations selected based upon the nominations of fellow employees. These agencies have demonstrated their ability to address important community needs such as domestic and gun violence, the environment, LGBTQ+ community building, animal rescue, and racial awareness. For more information on the grant recipients please see the list below or visit our website at communityworks.
Each organization receives a share of the Community Works funds raised. One hundred percent of the contributions go directly to the agencies as Vassar assumes all the administrative costs of the campaign. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution via payroll deduction, credit card, or check. Please visit our website https://www.vassar.
For payroll deductions please submit your pledge form by December 20th. All contributions are important no matter the amount.
Sincerely,
The Community Works Committee
John Bradley, Mary Ann Cunningham, Doreen Hammell-Backer, Rose Hartman, Miriam Mahdaviani, Matthew Righter, Nicole Scalessa, Laura Streett, Tracy Wright-Mauer
ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED THROUGH THE 2022 COMMUNITY WORKS CAMPAIGN
CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN SPIRIT will present memorials to celebrate and
commemorate the contributions of Africans and their descendants to the
building and growth of Poughkeepsie and the Dutchess County region,
from the work of the earliest enslaved persons through today. We will
collaborate with other organizations and entities to provide
opportunities for education and exploration, so that the entire
community can learn more about this purposefully neglected and ignored
aspect of American history.
THE POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL TEEN CLOSET meets the needs of students
where they are - at school. Federal and state programs don't always
provide funding for items such as shampoo, sanitary pads/tampons,
lotion, socks, underwear, etc...so families may have to do without
those necessities, which increases absenteeism and social anxiety
among teens. Sometimes the simplest solutions have the most impact and
this organization has had a tremendous impact on the City of
Poughkeepsie students and their families.
THE DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY (DLC) is dedicated to preserving the
scenic, environmental, and agricultural resources of Dutchess County.
DLC carries out its mission by obtaining conservation easements on
privately held land and monitoring those easements in perpetuity. DLC
educates the public on matters of land conservation and stewardship.
FINISH STRONG is a non-profit organization located in the Family
Partnership Building in Poughkeepsie that promotes the strengths and
abilities of young people by providing trauma-informed services that
empower and enrich them to face life’s challenges with confidence,
competence, and dignity.
THE POUGHKEEPSIE FARM PROJECT (PFP) located on the Vassar farm has the
mission of cultivating a just and sustainable food system for the
mid-Hudson Valley. PFP fulfills its mission by growing fresh fruits and
vegetables for its Community Supported Agriculture shares, training
future farmers, providing hands-on educational programs, and improving
access to healthy locally-grown food.
FAMILY SERVICES COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS works with individuals who
have a history of gun-related, domestic violence, or aggression in
their relationships in order to help them learn a healthier approach
to the people in their lives and community.
GRACE SMITH HOUSE provides residential and non-residential services to
victims of domestic violence and their families. They offer shelter,
counseling, transitional housing, advocacy, safety planning, and
preventative education to residents of Dutchess County.
HUDSON VALLEY ANIMAL RESCUE AND SANCTUARY rescues domestic animals,
farm animals and rehabilitates wildlife. It also runs a low-cost vet
clinic with wellness appointments for cats, dogs and a spay/neuter
program for cats, dogs, and rabbits.
DUTCHESS COUNTY PRIDE CENTER is a safe place for members of the LGBTQ+
community in Dutchess County including LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and
their families, and allies to feel comfortable and free to express
themselves. Their goal is to support, educate, and advocate through
outreach, support groups, and social events.
REBUILDING OUR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY (ROCC) provides youth services
5-13 of Dutchess County through year-round programming. In addition to
youth programs, ROCC hosts various community outreach events,
connecting with over 1,000 families per year.
Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
VASSAR COLLEGE
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar