What's New:

Citizen Action of the Hudson Valley Expands into Dutchess County

In recent months, Citizen Action of the Hudson Valley has been working towards expanding its reach into Dutchess County.  At this time, CAHV has some members from Beacon, in Dutchess County, but most of its active membership is from Ulster County, the west side of the river.  The CAHV steering committee decided to focus its Dutchess recruitment efforts on the City of Poughkeepsie.  An important factor in this decision was the steering committee’s desire to recruit more people of color to its leadership and general membership.  Working towards racial justice is central to Citizen Action’s mission.  The local chapter also wants to ensure its steering committee reflects the diversity of the Valley.   

The City of Poughkeepsie is the County seat and has an interesting and prominent place in Dutchess County History.  Once considered the “Jewel of the Hudson,” the City has suffered the ill effects of economic decline, crime, and poverty since the 1950s.  Local political and community leaders have worked hard to bring Poughkeepsie back, and promising changes are being seen.  Parts of Main Street are home to new shops and successful restaurants.  The waterfront also has been revitalized with art sculpture, refurbished parks, a public walkway, and private facilities. 

The population of the City of Poughkeepsie is close to 31,000.  The City’s population is approximately 51% white, 37% Black, and 11% Hispanic, according to 2000 census data.  There are several outstanding community agencies in Poughkeepsie.  Perhaps the most well known is the Family Partnership Center, an umbrella organization of over thirty non-profit and human services organizations. The FPC was co-founded by the late beloved Poughkeepsie community leader Lateef Islam.  Among the trusted organizations FPC houses are Dutchess Outreach, Hudson River Health Care, The Living Room, and the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library.  The Catherine Street Community Center is another trusted organization in the City that offers AIDS awareness and prevention education, after school and summer programs, and a boys choir program.

CAHV held a public hearing on health care at the FPC on Monday, October 29th.  The hearing was modeled after the Partnership for Coverage panels the Spitzer administration has been holding around the stated.  The panelists at the Poughkeepsie forum were Poughkeepsie County Legislator Barbara Jeter-Jackson, Spitzer Administration Regional Representative Tara Sullivan, and Partnership for Coverage panelist Mark Scherzer. Over forty people attended the meeting and many gave testimony about the challenges they have faced accessing health care.  Representatives from the American Cancer Society and Union organizations also spoke about the plight of people who have inadequate health coverage.  The hearing was held in Poughkeepsie by CAHV in the hopes of recruiting more members of the Poughkeepsie community to Citizen Action’s statewide health care campaign. 

CAHV is interested in involving more people from Poughkeepsie in the health care campaign and other important campaigns.  If you are interested in getting involved, please contact me at (516) 749-1995.  We need your energy, activism, and leadership.  Don’t wait another day to advocate for yourself, your family, and your community - become an active member of Citizen Action today!

-Stephanie Ruggiero, CAHV Steering Committee Member

 

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