RECENT SUCCESSES

• Academic, Community Service, Performing Arts and Visual Arts Scholarships were awarded to 16 Columbia and Greene County students.
• The James Park Scholarship Memorial Scholarship for Transportation was awarded to three Hudson High students.
• Laptop Society awarded 8 laptops for college bound students.
• Career Exploration in the Performing Arts in partnership with Athens Cultural Center. We experienced 3 concerts involving 25 musicians, vocalists, tech, and production staff. Participants viewed production set up, up close playing of instruments and heard the real education and artistic journeys. Artists included Juma Sultan’s Aboriginal Music Society, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, and Lady Moon and the Eclipse.
• The 3rd Annual collaboration production with the Camphill Players featured “Forgetful Divas”, with resident artist Ifetayo Cobbins and dancers Addison Geer, Ummuy Chowdhury, and Elena Mosley of Operation Unite. The play was well received to a sold out audience at Hudson Hall, Camphill in Copake and a private show at Ten Barns in Ghent. A film documentary has been made and is being shared through lead partner Camphill Hudson.
• Components of our Family Garden Program: 1) 4H Freedom Farmers lead Youth Garden Club programming at the Hudson Youth Center, 2) They completed a bountiful harvest and homemade dinner at the Outreach Garden serving adult men with challenges, 3) Dominique Geer received the 2024 4H Leadership Award, and 4) Five Youth in Action members received awards at the 2024 Columbia County Fair.
• In support of Black Farmers and LGTBQ plus, Youth in Action visited Wild Seed Farm for an interactive hand on learning experience and Art Exhibition curated by Naima Penniman.
• Community Beautification: Flowers were planted in the tree boxes to welcome spring and summer, adding beauty to the neighborhood.
• Kuumba Dance and Drum Academy: 1) Ujima Community Collective served many participants for Drum and Dance Workshops, a four-week Workshop series with John Ward in partnership with Hudson Hall. 2) A series of 8-week workshops were presented at Waterfront Wednesdays with John Ward and movement by Elena Mosley.
• 2) Uganda Guest Artists Godfrey Opio, lead five dance & drum workshops with culminated in a presentation at the National Night Out with Hudson Polic department and at the Annual Hudson Sankofa Festival at the Hudson Riverfront Park with Mental Health Association of Columbia and Green Counties serving as our community partner.