Tri-Town Coalition supports community efforts during COVID-19

HARLEM VALLEY — With its main objective being to help people in need find suitable housing, the Tri-Town Coalition has decided to channel its energy into supporting local organizations that are assisting those who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

“There’s a lot going on and what the Tri-Town Coalition is trying to do is amplify and support these different efforts,” said Hudson River Housing Director of Strategic Initiatives Elizabeth Druback-Celaya. “What we want to do is support all this good work and spread the word to people who might be in need.”

As an example of an organization that has come to the community’s aid during the pandemic, Druback-Celaya praised the North East Community Center’s (NECC) initiative in determining the region’s needs and making its services available to residents in Millerton and beyond. As listed online, at www.neccmillerton.org, NECC, in coordination with the Millerton Community Care Network, recently formed the NECC Cares Exchange Board, a “citizen-led response” platform dedicated to providing a place and space to share goods and services. 

Additionally, NECC’s transportation program is still running for senior citizens, families and individuals in need of transportation to their local pharmacy, grocery store and emergency supply outlet. It’s adhering to social distancing regulations while doing so.

In Millbrook, Druback-Celaya said Grace Church is heading up the Northeast Dutchess Mutual Aid, an informal coalition of northeastern Dutchess community members and organizations that have joined forces to deal with the health crisis. According to a recent email from the Tri-Town Coalition, the goal behind the Northeast Dutchess Mutual Aid is “to connect people who want to lend a hand to people who need a little help getting through this crisis,” whether that means offering tutoring, food delivery, social support or other means of assistance. Donors and volunteers interested in contributing can go to https://sites.google.com/view/nedutchessaid/home. People in need of assistance are also advised to visit the website for more information about mutual aid initiatives in the local region.

Meanwhile, in addition to putting together policy briefs pertaining to long-term housing and conducting advocacy work for local families, Hudson River Housing has set up its own Emergency Response Fund to support families dealing with homelessness or individuals struggling with home insecurity at this time. To contribute, go to www.hudsonriverhousing.org.

As for the Tri-Town Coalition and its town-based working groups focused on housing, Druback-Celaya reported they are currently looking at virtual ways to meet, to discuss both housing and broader issues. In their group email, coalition members urged one another to reach out with ideas for helping each other and their communities through the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 crisis is not a reason to back down from our work but rather, to the extent we are all able to, a reason to lean in,” wrote Jordan Bourdreau in the group email. “We look forward to staying engaged and helping each other through this difficult time.”