Two Dover organizations receive Youth Wellness Support Microgrants from the county

POUGHKEEPSIE — The third and final round of funding in support of the emotional wellbeing of young people in Dutchess has been awarded via the Youth Wellness Support Microgrants program, as per county executive Sue Serino. The aim of these grants, which will aid funding for six organizations in the county, is to encourage positive choices for young people such as refraining from substance use or engaging in other detrimental behaviors.

Of the six grant recipients, two are Dover-based. The Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue will offer young people in need of emotional support the opportunity to work with equines with a focus on groundwork while building their mental wellness. The program will provide 16 sessions totaling 32 hours to groups of select students from Dover High School. The Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue will receive $19,000 in grant monies in support of this program.

The Dover Plains Library Association will also receive $19,000 in grants in support of their collaboration with Dover Elementary School, in which four school assemblies and additional evening programs for parents at the library will be offered as a means of connecting families in an educational and reflective environment.

Four additional organizations throughout the county were also on the receiving end of funding. Two Poughkeepsie-based organizations, the Dutchess County Pride Center, which will offer coping strategies and depression management for youth, and The Art Effect, which will create an animated youth-produced PSA on mental health as it relates to social media usage also received Youth Wellness Support Microgrants. The other two grant recipients were the Red Hook-based Hidden Hollow Farm Riding, which will provide programming in equine-based therapy and journaling for at-risk youth, and the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association in Hyde Park, which will offer courses on garden design and African drumming for 100 young adults in need of direction. A combined total of $105,924 in grants has been allotted to these programs.

County executive Serino voiced her support for these wellness initiatives for Dutchess youths, saying, “I’m proud to collaborate with programs that give our young people the tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential, while supporting their mental health and wellbeing. These grants are an important investment in their future, funding initiatives that encourage positive growth and help them navigate challenges with confidence.”

Latest News

Amenia approves sidewalk projectalong Route 44
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — Pedestrians will soon be able to walk safely between Broadway and Beekman Park, now that a construction contract has been awarded.

The planning process continued for many months, culminating in an invitation to bid. The Town Board voted unanimously at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 20, to select the lowest bidder, clearing the way for work to begin.

Keep ReadingShow less
Science confirms: It was a cold winter

Spring has officially arrived with freezing night time temperatures forecast through the first week of April.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

Victoria Kelly, Cary Institute Environmental Monitoring Program Manager and Senior Ecologist, prepared this report.

MILLBROOK — Since 1988 the weather station at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the Town of Washington has been keeping track of our local weather — precipitation, temperature, wind, air quality, etc.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East Fire District focuses on budget, spending

The North East Fire house on the south side of Century Boulevard.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

MILLERTON — The commissioners of the North East Fire District recently held their monthly meeting at the firehouse to discuss their current needs and general business.

Discussion centered around the current work on the 2025 budget and proposed expenditures, which ranged from upgrading their heating/cooling system to the possibility of replacing car no. 3.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East okays Village use of old highway garage

Town supervisor Chris Kennan hands memorandum of understanding documents to Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek for her signature at the town board’s special meeting on March 21. Town councilperson Chris Mayville, left, and deputy supervisor Lana Morrison, right, in foreground.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

MILLERTON – The Village’s need for space in the wake of the fire that gutted the Water and Highway building last month was addressed at a special meeting of the town board on Friday, March 21.

By a unanimous vote, the board approved a resolution to grant the Village usage of the Town’s old highway garage on South Center Street.

Keep ReadingShow less