A mental health and child welfare treatment center in the city of Newburgh has secured a $250,000 grant via the efforts of state Sen. Bill Larkin, R/C-Cornwall on Hudson and the New York State Economic Development Assistance Program.Â
The center is known as Occupations.
“Senator Larkin”™s a strong supporter, and we thank him for his continued commitment to helping the people in his district,” said Dr. Thomas B. Glendening, chairman of the Occupations Foundation Board of Governors.
Occupations, headquartered in Middletown, recently purchased 23 Grand St. to expand its program services to Newburgh. Combined with it current building at 21 Grand St., Occupations now has more than 12,500 square feet of usable space for its programs. Â Occupations has seven locations throughout Orange county offering a variety of treatment and work programs. It provides busing and transportation for workers in its facilities and operates nine group homes and several single-living opportunities for its clients.
The nonprofit is currently conducting a capital campaign to raise $2.5 million to develop the new complex, scheduled for groundbreaking by the end of August. That effort will be boosted by its third fundraising gala at Anthony”™s Pier 9 in New Windsor on Saturday, September 20, beginning at 6 p.m., which will honor Sullivan Renaissance and Sandra Gerry, who founded the movement.
Sullivan Renaissance”™s mission is to help small communities rife with economic strife to beautify their main streets to attract new business. Gerry”™s work for Sullivan Renaissance and other local philanthropic efforts for the region are “what community giving is all about,” said James DeStefano, president and CEO of Occupations.
The 500-employee organization relies on its dedicated volunteers, including Louis Arbia, chief clerk in Orange County Family Court in Goshen, who regularly donates his Saturdays by driving Occupations”™ clients to and from their jobs. “I wouldn”™t trade that time for anything in the world,” said the longtime volunteer.
For more information on services provided by Occupations, visit www.occupations.org.
