Jarvis Receives Citizen of the Month Award

GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has recognized Colin Jarvis, Executive Director of the Newburgh Ministry, as February’s Citizen of the Month for his many contributions and dedication to the city and its residents.

“Colin Jarvis is a kind and generous man who cares deeply about helping those in need,” Neuhaus said. “Through his service at the Newburgh Ministry, he has had a positive impact on hundreds of Newburgh residents. We all appreciate his passion for Newburgh and all that he does for the community.”

The Newburgh Ministry provides shelter, emergency meals, financial assistance and counseling to residents in need. Jarvis has served as the Newburgh Ministry’s Executive Director for six years and has worked in the Social Services field since the early 1990s. He said his own humble beginnings growing up in Antigua inspired him to help people.

One of eight children, Jarvis and his family grew up poor. He came to the U.S. in 1984 after earning a scholarship to St. John Fisher College in Rochester. Jarvis returned to Antigua after graduating to work for a United Nations program that helps high school drop outs. In 1992, he moved to the U.S. permanently, earning his master’s degree in Human Services at the Metropolitan College of New York.

“Poverty doesn’t always have to mean doom and gloom,” Jarvis said. “Struggles tend to build character. I grew up dirt poor and I consider my story a miracle, but in the grand scheme of things nothing is impossible. The sky is the limit.”

Jarvis’ work during his career has ranged from projects serving the homeless population to workforce development programs for disenfranchised youth and adults. He and his family live in Newburgh and Jarvis, who sits on the Boards of Cornerstone Family Health Center and Independent Home Care, has said that some of his proudest work has been accomplished in the bustling city.

“This is the best job that I have ever had,” Jarvis said. “The possibilities, the future of Newburgh is what inspires me. I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by County Executive Neuhaus. This is also about the people in Newburgh. They are some of the poorest folks, but they are genuine and have big hearts.”

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information. Nominees must be from Orange County.