POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Continuing her longstanding support for Dutchess County’s young people and their future development, County Executive Sue Serino today announced $250,000 in grant awards has been awarded to 14 local libraries and non-profit, community-based, youth-serving organizations through the County’s Youth Opportunity Union (YOU) Drop-In Center Grant Program. The grant awards will enable these organizations to build and improve safe, inclusive environments where young people can come together, find resources and form meaningful, supportive connections.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “A lot of young people need a safe, friendly place to go after school — somewhere they feel supported, can make friends and get help when they need it. These grants will build and improve spaces where kids can try new things, learn skills and connect with caring adults and peer groups. By supporting these efforts, Dutchess County is creating opportunities for every child to grow and succeed.”

Dutchess County’s YOU Drop-In Center Grants are a one-time funding opportunity for community organizations, including libraries, that primarily serve youth. To qualify, their mission must align with offering services or programs that support one or more of the County’s Path to Promise domains. Qualifying expenses include furniture and equipment; technology and supplies; sports and fitness equipment; theater and creative arts resources; and transportation assistance.

Projects funded through the YOU Drop-In Center Grant Program include:

The New Deal Creative Arts Center, Hyde Park – $10,000 to expand its theatre, music and other programs that reach 100 children by purchasing essential equipment, including body microphones, speakers, podcasting tools and musical instruments, such as pianos, ukuleles, percussion and guitars.

Nubian Directions II, City of Poughkeepsie – $30,000 to continue renovation of the third floor of the organization’s Youth Center, as well as purchase materials, supplies and office equipment, giving 62 students access to the building program space, as well as GED preparation classes and construction training.

Wassaic Project, Amenia – $15,000 to purchase slop sink, comfortable seating, rugs, computer, projector, printer, metro shelves and bins, drop cloths and butcher paper, a drying rack and a project display wall, as well as replenish much-needed art supplies for the organization’s Art Nest, which currently serves 1,000 local young people, increasing attendance by 25 percent and aiding in attendees’ social-emotional development.

Mental Health America of Dutchess County, City of Poughkeepsie – $10,000 to purchase a book house, musical instruments, sound, solar equipment and play equipment for Ellen’s Place Outdoor Classroom, designed to provide opportunities for healing and educational transformations for 300 children and their families.

The Art Effect, City of Poughkeepsie – $30,000 to upgrade equipment for arts and media education, serving more than 2,000 young people facing financial and social barriers.

Positive About Possibilities, City of Poughkeepsie – $10,000 to purchase equipment for photography and DJing programs serving 30 young people; cameras, lighting kits, laptops, tripods and editing software for creating sensory boards, as well as DJ mixers, turntables, speakers and software for event-hosting.

Pine Plains Free Library, Pine Plains – $15,000 to purchase chairs, shelving and organizational furniture for the library’s Teen Section and Children’s Room, which serve 200 children.

Dover Plains Library Association, Dover – $11,926 to purchase commercial-grade furniture so 140 young people will have safe furniture during programs and for leisure, which will improve their ability to learn and develop literacy skills while at the library.

Community Matters 2, City of Poughkeepsie – $30,000 to purchase advanced tech equipment – computers, robotics kits, software, AI software, 3D printers – to empower youth with hands-on STEM learning, fostering innovation and tech proficiency for 100 young people’s future success.

East Fishkill Community Library, East Fishkill – $15,000 to purchase mobile/configurable furnishings for library’s meeting rooms; mobile seating for its teen area; and shelving and seating for the children’s area, serving 100 children, as well as erase/magnetic presentation boards and a laminating machine.

Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County, Wappinger – $10,000 to purchase essential equipment, bus passes and ride service vouchers to improve access to CAPE’s drop-in center, which serves 250 young people.

Millbrook Library, Millbrook – $15,000 to purchase new toys and social play materials that will support at least 10 youth-focused programs annually, which serve more than 650 children, as well as accessible furniture and interactive resources which will result in at least a 20-percent increase in the use of the library’s youth areas over the next year.

Community Family Development, City of Poughkeepsie – $30,000 to purchase equipment, supplies and furniture to create a drop-in childcare center that will allow 45 families facing homelessness to access high-quality early childhood programming directly at the shelter they are staying at, which will support job search programming and mental health support.

Hope Rising Up, Rhinebeck – $18,074 to purchase desks, chairs, kitchen appliances, cookware, laptops, a driving training simulator and educational equipment for its program, serving 100 young people who will be strengthened by educational advocacy, career direction, life skills and foundational beliefs about themselves.

Applications for the YOU Drop-In Center Grant Program were reviewed by the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services (DCFS) Commissioner, as well as DCFS’ Assistant Commissioner for Youth Services, with recommendations made to the County Executive for final approval.

In the 2025 County Budget, County Executive Serino has allocated more than $700,000 in youth services investments for a reimagined YOU initiative, including the YOU Drop-In Grant Program, YOU mini grants, summer camp scholarships and expansion of the Youth Police Initiative (YPI).

The County’s Division of Youth Services is dedicated to ensuring that every young person has a fair and equal chance to reach their full potential by providing services that strengthen family life and support families in their vital role of nurturing the overall development of youth. Additional information is available on the Division’s webpage.