Satara founded Rebuilding Our Children and Community Inc. (ROCC), which provides youth programming for children ages 5-13 of Dutchess County and hosts various community outreach events that connect over 1,000 families to necessary resources each year. Learn more from Satara!

Tamoya Norwood is an Administrative Organizer at 1199SEIU United Healthcare. A resident of Poughkeepsie for more than 30 years, Tamoya works to make sure that community hospitals are staffed and that staff are protected. Learn more about what positive changes Tamoya envisions for Poughkeepsie here!

Carrie fundó el Over Art On Tour, una van de arte ambulante dedicada a dar vida a las artes de comunidad en comunidad. Aquí Carrie nos cuenta sobre la importancia de llevar arte a las comunidades.

Debra lost her son more than a decade ago to gun violence. She’s been on a lifesaving mission ever since, working with SNUG, an outreach program under the Family Services umbrella. The program focuses on youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who are at high risk for involvement with gun violence with the goal of saving lives and helping individuals turn their lives around. Learn more from Debra.

Azia Brown is the owner of Zhanés Palette Studio, which aims to add more fun and vibrancy to the world of paint party entertainment. With over 10 years experience in the study of visual art, operations management and education, it’s Azia’s love of people that keeps her thriving in all of these endeavors. Learn more from Azia here!

Marquis and Leonardo of Smart Staffing Group work with community members in Poughkeepsie to provide job opportunities and skill development. Learn more about how and why they lift up youth to keep the community strong moving forward.

Mary Ellen is the Director of Programs for The Art Effect. Learn more about the work of The Art Effect to unlock community and empower youth through the arts.

Robert founded Nubian Directions which provides technology training, work-readiness and educational support services for youth and adults to enhance workforce skills. Learn more here!

Michelle es Consejera de Vet2Vet con la Mental Health Alliance del Condado Dutchess. También cultiva hortalizas frescas en su parcela de la Granja y Jardines de Pershing Avenue. Aquí Michelle nos cuenta más del poder de la comunidad.

Anthony is the Main Street Stewardship Coordinator for Hudson River Housing and more. Hear about all of the projects he’s engaged in to keep the community inspired.

Minister Joyneia Joyner fue un alma increíble que dejó a su paso muchos recuerdos especiales y un legado de amor para su comunidad y más allá. Fueron muchas las vidas que marcó en Poughkeepsie y fue una verdadera bendición. Es un honor haberla conocido y la vamos a extrañar.

Heather Ann Pitcher Is a NYS Certified Peer Specialist, and the Office Administrator for NAMI Mid-Hudson. She strongly believes that one person can make a difference in the life of another. An individual’s mental health condition does not define them, and there is no health without mental health. Hear more from Heather here!

Josayne Anderson-Tejera is Executive Director and Founder of the Love Quest Foundation. The Love Quest Foundation provides and promotes opportunities for youth, survivors, advocates, and community members to collaborate on projects that help break the silence surrounding domestic and dating violence and sexual assault, and to help heal those impacted by that trauma. Hear more from Josayne here!