Wondering what the AFF has been up to this summer?
A lot!
Here are some highlights:
Summer Academy at Red Hook High School recently completed its sessions. We’re proud to support the district in offering unique opportunities in theater, automotive maintenance, bird watching, farm to table hands on activity, writing the all important college essay, and other unique coursework.
In July there was a community build at the Linden Avenue School. A much needed physical education space complete with various apparatus was constructed in the northeast corner of the school’s grounds. Volunteers, a few AFF directors included, met to install equipment and help in the landscaping.
Nick was a panel judge for LearnServe’s 2022 Global Fellowship Program - his 2nd panelist appearance this year! The fellows had been working on social impact ventures in their communities vying for funding to move their concept forward. LearnServe is a grantee of AFF, and it was so nice to collaborate with them.
Long Table is a food sourcing agency serving Columbia and Dutchess counties. We’ve approved an application from them to assist in their gleaning operations - the produce of which will make their way to various local food pantries and organizations.
A shout out to Four Corners Community Farm in Red Hook’s backyard. Sam Rose has been creating programs designed to support “community resilience in providing a center for residents to adopt garden parcels, produce and donate agricultural products, acquire education in food security and self-sufficiency, and congregate to promote community recreation and initiatives.”
CultureConnect has been a partner of the AFF for five years now! Culture Connect offers after school enrichment programs for English as a New Language Learners students in grades K- 5. They support the entire family to nurture a sense of the child’s and family’s belonging in the school and local community. Recently, they have begun CollegeConnect in Red Hook High School - mentoring seniors through the college search process.
We all know there is joy in learning- the AFF recently approved a grant from the Rhinebeck-based nonprofit Joy of Learning, which will provide support for a magazine and programming to promote, and make more accessible, early childhood education in the area. Welcome to our newest grantee!
A second round of funding to the Kingston Boys and Girls Club was just finalized. Thanks to AFF Director Fran, who sponsored this Director’s Grant! We’re assisting the Kingston Boys & Girls Club in their Teen after school programming which has an average of 80 young adults per day.
Red Hook Together is a group of civic leaders and active citizens who gather monthly to chat about topics pertinent to the Red Hook scene, with an ultimate goal of fostering inclusivity and comfort for everyone within the community. Their first physical meeting in over two years took place in August at the Rec Park.
Lastly, a big congratulations to our new class of 2022 ambassadors - Maria Rizzolo Barsa, Luke Franek, and Fiona Dwyer-McNulty. Additionally, we’re happy to announce the 2022 AFF scholarship recipients: Ava Michaelides, Lucia Link, and Cassandra Coleman, received $2,000 scholarships each.
Please stay in touch! We always like to hear from our neighbors near and far.