Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress launches Community ReBuilders Program

Newburgh, NY Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress held the first class of its Community Rebuilders program. The program is designed to assist community leaders who have an idea to help their communities in their revitalization efforts. Ten program participants, representing community development projects from across the Hudson Valley region, will begin the 12-week program to focus and refine their projects and move them forward.

“When it came to rethinking the main street of the hamlet of Parksville as we come out of the Pandemic, we turned to Pattern for assistance,” said Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo.

Joe Czajka, Pattern’s senior VP said, “We are pleased to be assisting 10 community developments throughout the region with our new Community ReBuilders program. We understood that as towns and villages try to put the pieces back together in the wake of COVID, they might need some help.”

Pattern staff Kate Stryker, Eric Pierson, and Michelle Pfeffer, worked to put the program together. During the course of the Community ReBuilders program, participants receive educational resources and training to research local issues, evaluate project benchmarks, identify potential sources of funding, and achieve specific project goals. The goal is to take a concept from the idea stage to get it “grant ready.”

“The Town of Middletown has worked together on multiple occasions with Pattern on project management. We were excited to participate in their Community Rebuilders program to develop some concepts for the old O&W Train Station which is both an eyesore and the gateway to the city,” said Caitlin McNamara.

This year’s cohort brings together participants from Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan Counties. The projects are focused on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in need of repair and revitalization; on reinvigorating downtowns to become vibrant community spaces; on creative housing solutions to address the housing crisis; and on addressing unemployment through job training, skills development, and by removing barriers to employment in collaboration with area businesses.

The Community ReBuilders program will be in session through June 28th. Community members can follow along with the Community ReBuilders program participants and their projects at Pattern-for-Progress.org/Community-ReBuilders. There you’ll find information about each project, as well as ways you can support the program and the participants through sponsorship or donations.