$5 Million for Family Partnership Center Cleanup

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – Some community members refer to it as a precious “lifeline;” while others comfortingly view it as a “beacon of hope.” Then there are those who describe it as a hub of critically needed mental health and well-being resources, all under one roof, connecting, assisting and empowering countless people each day.

Those individual meaning thousands of people associate with the Family Partnership Center, located on 29 North Hamilton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie, pay a telling testament to its longstanding- 100 year plus backbone of the community status, encompassing so much of what the City prioritizes: diversity, equity, empathy and affordability. Housing twenty nonprofits, offering over 100 integral services, the landmark building serves 70,000 people each year. Those revealing statistics were recognized when the Center was awarded the largest Brownfields Grant in New York State in April of this year, a nearly five million dollar monetary grant aimed at the century old building’s cleanup repairs, specifically asbestos removal.

Part of the historic 1.5 billion dollar boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grant also involves the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who was represented at Wednesday’s official reveal of the monies, aimed at repairing jeopardized infrastructure due to environmental issues as well as supporting environmental justice.

“This is a fascinating, fascinating building that serves as a clear, critical hub to serve the community, and we are so proud to be a part of this,” said Alyssa Arcaya, EPA Deputy Regional Administrator, as she marveled at the interior section of the front lobby. “This is great for the environment as well as job creation, and it’s a wonderful thing to see all levels of government come together with something like this to support the City of Poughkeepsie.”

Several of those political dignitaries, who are passionate about the environment and couldn’t be more joyous over the announcement of this grant, were on hand Wednesday for the exciting news of the Family Partnership’s Brownfields Program Grant and the extensive cleanup plans slated for 2025-2028.

“This is federal money, so I want to thank Senators Pat Ryan as well as Kirsten Gillibrand to help get this over the finish line,” said New York State Assemblyman, Jonathan Jacobson, a long-time advocate for the environment, especially in his Hudson Valley constituency. “This money is a true investment, and it’s something communities would not be able to do alone.”

Another local politician, Dutchess County Executive, Sue Serino, also someone who deeply values the environment and all pieces involved in its upkeep, was also in attendance and offered remarks of deep gratitude.

“When I think of Family Services and this building, I think of all of the families and children who come here and how many people benefit from its programs,” said Serino. “I just want to thank everyone involved in this process.”

Also present at the news of the Grant’s unveiling was Livia Santiago-Rosado, Dutchess County Health Department Commissioner, beaming with pride.

“I am so very excited about this Grant; we have a public health clinic right in this building, a beacon of health equity,” said Santiago-Rosado. “Cleaning up the environment, by doing such things as removing asbestos, is all about prevention; it’s not flashy, but it is so important to address before it becomes a concern, and this truly shows the community believes in these goals which is so exciting to see.”

Santiago-Rosado’s sentiments about the environmental prioritizing were echoed by Leah Feldman, CEO of Family Services, and the host of Wednesday’s official announcement about the Grant inside the Partnership Building.

Feldman affirmed, “This is a powerful commitment to the health and wealth of the people of Poughkeepsie.”