Kingston’s Center for Immigrant Culture (Aired on February 28 & March 1, 2015)

Barbara Blas and Barbara Cohen

Barbara Blas and Barbara Cohen

Rotarians Barbara Blas and Barbara Cohen of the Kingston Sunrise Rotary Club visit RadioRotary to tell about the developing Reher Center for Immigration and Culture in the Roundout section of Kingston, NY. The project began when the Jewish Federation of Ulster County came into possession of the large building that previously housed the Reher Bakery, famous for its rolls, the only intact historical building in the Roundout. With help from state, federal, and local funding, the building has been stabilized and will soon have a permanent display of the history of immigrants in Kingston as well as other rooms for exhibits and lectures. The original bakery kitchen is also intact and will be able to be visited. The two Barbara’s also describe exhibits housed in the Stockade part of Kingston dealing with immigrant history in the city as well as several projects of the Sunrise club.

Learn more:
The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History
Jewish Federation of Ulster County
Rotary Club of Kingston– Sunrise

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February 28, 2015 · Posted in Education, History, Hudson Valley  

Grace Smith Domestic-Violence Assistance House (Aired on February 21 and 22, 2015)

Michele Polluck-Rich

Michele Polluck-Rich

Co-host Jonah Triebwasser and producer Kathy Kruger interview Michele Polluck-Rich, Executive Director at Grace Smith House, the principal organization in Dutchess County for aid to victims of domestic abuse. Victims of either sex can be helped; the hotline is (845) 471-3033. About 90% of the abused are women, who can be removed from their domestic situation to one of two secretly located residences for stays of 90 days. There are also arrangements for men. The clients are provided with a family advocate to help get through the legal arrangements necessary for orders of protection or for finding permanent housing. Not all abuse is physical—victims of psychological or financial abuse can also get help. Services are free and confidential. Since one in three of adolescents have been affected by partner violence, Grace Smith House supports an important outreach program of teenagers working with other teenagers, The Peace Group. Evening support groups meet weekly as well.

Learn more:
Grace Smith House
Domestic Violence Hotline: (845) 471-3033
The Peace Group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/peace.gsh
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

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February 21, 2015 · Posted in Domestic Violence, Service Organizations  

Community Outreach in Newburgh (Aired on February 14 & 15, 2015)

Jonah Triebwasser & Marietta Allen

Jonah Triebwasser & Marietta Allen

RadioRotary Co-host Jonah Triebwasser interviewed Marietta Allen about her current Outreach program at St. Mary’s Parish in Newburgh. Newburgh suffers from high poverty and crime rates. Each of the four Roman Catholic churches has a program to help alleviate the city’s problems. Among the components of the St. Mary’s Outreach are the provision of emergency food and toiletries for immediate needs; a program that delivers food and other supplies to homebound veterans; a program to provide food and other aid to the elderly in their homes; as well as several similar outreaches. Perhaps the most dramatic aid comes with Giving Day, every 3rd Friday of the month. Those in need can visit a large area filled with tables of food—fresh, meat, and canned; supplies and toys for children; clothing; furniture; and other items not covered by food stamps. Giving Day also features a nurse for minor medical needs, legal services, and representatives of community departments.

Learn more:
St. Mary’s Parish
Giving Day Photos
Newburgh, NY

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February 14, 2015 · Posted in Financial Aid, Housing Assistance, Nutrition, Service Organizations, Volunteers  

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue (Aired on February 7 & 8, 2015)

(l-r) Jonah Triebwasser, Deanna Mancuso, Sarah O’Connell

(l-r) Jonah Triebwasser, Deanna Mancuso, Sarah O’Connell

Deanna Mancuso tells the story of how her grandfather’s gift to her of an abused horse when she was 12, gradually led her create the Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue farm, which now hosts 43 formerly abused, neglected, or abandoned horses. Today these horses are not only living out the remainder of their lives (which can be as long as about 50 years), but also they are providing significant equine-assisted therapy to humans in need of help—it is people helping horses helping people. Dutchess County currently has a horse population of about 42,500 horses, but abused horses from all over the country are also welcomed to the Lucky Orphan’s farm. Volunteers, some of whom are doing community service, provide all the work on the farm.

Learn more:
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)
Natural Lifemanship Therapy

 

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February 7, 2015 · Posted in Animals, Dutchess County, Service Organizations, Volunteers