MILLERTON — Helping local organizations start 2022 on stronger financial footing, Dutchess County announced late last month that a total $1.5 million in awards was given to 34 local programs as part of its Agency Partner Grant (APG) program, including the North East Community Center (NECC) in Millerton.

The APG program “provides funding opportunities to local 501(C)3 nonprofit organizations on a biennial basis through a competitive grant process based on an organization’s ability to demonstrate they fulfill an unmet community need,” explained Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro’s office.

Entering its 10th year, the county received 41 APG applications requesting more than $2 million in funding.

With support from the Dutchess County Legislature, a total of $1.5 million was allocated in the county’s 2022 budget for APG grants. A portion were designated for library programming through the Dutchess Reads program.

Featured among the programs that received monies was NECC, which received three grants, two of which were allocated to its popular youth development programs and one of which was allocated to support of a variety of it much-used food access programs.

APG grants broken down

NECC received a $45,099 grant award for its Community Partnership with Schools and Business program, a paid internship program for local youths and young adults that previously received county funding on multiple occasions.

A $35,010 grant award was given to NECC so it could continue to offer a variety of local nutritional Food Access Programs, including a Summer Food Service Program, youth food access internship opportunities and two community gardens.

Lastly, NECC received $40,739 grant for its year-round Comprehensive Out of School Time program, which provides after school and summer enrichment activities for students enrolled in the North East (Webutuck) Central School District.

NECC Executive Director Christine Sergent expressed gratitude for the grants.

“This support is essential to enabling us to continue to offer these programs,” she said. “This support also demonstrates the investment being made in the people of the northeastern area of Dutchess County by our county executive, Marc Molinaro, and our County Legislature. The many issues that challenge our rural area have only grown greater during the pandemic, and these three areas these grants and their support represent some of those most vital challenges: food access and support for our children and teens.”

Sergent also thanked the county for supporting the local community in other essential ways, highlighting its provision of COVID-19 test kits and its vaccination outreach efforts.

“We are grateful to serve in partnership with the county, and look forward to continuing our partnership serving this area in every way possible,” she said.

APG grant for The Wassaic Project

Just a few miles south, tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Wassaic, the arts collaborative known as The Wassaic Project was another recipient of this year’s APG program, totaling $26,895.

The Wassaic Project received the award for its JV and Varsity Arts Club after school enrichment program.

According to Molinaro’s office, the program geared toward providing middle and high school students in the Webutuck, Pine Plains, Millbrook and Dover school districts offers the ideal opportunity “to develop technical, artistic, problem-solving and soft skills, while empowering youth to organize group performances and offer community workshops and events for peers and younger students.”

The Wassaic Project Co-Executive Director Jeff Barnett-Winsby said he was thankful for the funding.

“We are thrilled the county recognizes and supports the exciting things happening in Amenia and Wassaic, and the significant need for additional after school programming,” he said. “The Junior Varsity and Varsity Art Clubs promise to provide access to arts education and out-of-school infrastructure for Webutuck middle and high school students, as well as technical, professional and social-emotional skills, consistent adult mentorship, and a safe and inclusive community within which students can learn, explore and grow over the long-term.”

Among the funding it received through Dutchess County’s Agency Partner Grant program, the North East Community Center in Millerton received a $40,739 grant award for its year-round Comprehensive Out of School Time program to provide school and summer enrichment activities for students enrolled in the Webutuck school district. Photo submitted

Through Dutchess County’s Agency Partner Grant program, the North East Community Center in Millerton received a $35,010 grant award to provide a variety of nutritional Food Access Programs to the local community, including a Summer Food Service Program, youth food access internship opportunities and two community gardens. Photo submitted

Among the funding it received through Dutchess County’s Agency Partner Grant program, the North East Community Center in Millerton received a $40,739 grant award for its year-round Comprehensive Out of School Time program to provide school and summer enrichment activities for students enrolled in the Webutuck school district. Photo submitted