Promise’s past and current programs and initiatives are thoughtfully and collaboratively planned and implemented, driven by our core values, aligned with our mission, and focused on achieving our vision: every family in our community is supported and given the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.

Current Programs and Initiatives:

• Early Learning Program

• TeamTam After-School Program

• Beyond GED

• Emergency and Rent Assistance

• BTCF Guaranteed Income for Columbia County

• HudsonUP (Basic Income Pilot)

• Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents (GHICIP)

  • Safeguarding Children of Arrested Parents

• Mentor Court

• Columbia County/Hudson Out-of-School Time Collaborative (CO-HOST)

• Financial Wellness & Empowerment

• ConnectHudson

• After-School and Summer Transportation

• Youth Prevention Network (YPN)

• Early Learning Network (ELLN)

• Cradle to Career Coalition

Early Learning Program

GHPN NOW OFFERS A NEW EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM THAT CATERS TO THE NEEDS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. DESIGNED TO CREATE A DYNAMIC, SCHOOL-LIKE ENVIRONMENT THAT BOOSTS EARLY LITERACY SKILLS AND ENGAGES CHILDREN IN ENRICHING ACTIVITIES THAT INCORPORATE MUSIC, MOVEMENT, STEAM PROJECTS, A READ-ALOUD SESSION, AND MORE!

• The Early Learning Program consists of free classes that include an  interactive read aloud, and STEAM projects for children ages 0-5

• Classes are held on weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 10:00AM to 12:00PM

• Parents are welcome to stay and learn along or drop their child off

TeamTam After-School Program

ONE OF GHPN’S LONGEST-STANDING PROGRAMS, TEAMTAM AFTER-SCHOOL, PROVIDES HCSD FAMILIES AND CHILDREN A SAFE AND FUN PLACE TO SPEND TIME DURING IMPORTANT TRANSITIONAL HOURS FOR FAMILIES.

GHPN’s TeamTam After-School Program includes HCSD school bus drop off (around 3pm); children dropped off or arriving on bus are greeted by familiar staff, and are offered homework help, a nutritious snack/meal, and the opportunity to participate in enriching activities and programs throughout the week with our community partners.

Originally developed to create an identified need, the After-School Program has expanded significantly over the past eight years, to include more diverse partnerships and opportunities to families for whom extra-curriculars are cost-prohibitive or otherwise inaccessible.

Formerly known as Promise After-School, the program was renamed in September of 2021 in honor of our late family advocate, Tamarah Jones.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Monday through Friday
2:30PM - 5:30PM
Closed for HCSD holidays/school closings

ENROLLMENT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Beyond GED

Since 2023, GHPN IS OFFERING OPPORTUNITY YOUTH (BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16 AND 24) GED CLASSES AS PART OF THIS NEW PROGRAM.

As an organization, we recognize that traditional school does not work for all youth. In response, we have created a comprehensive program that meets educational needs and assists individuals with addressing individual circumstances, adverse experiences, and stressors, so that youth may focus on their studies.

Students enrolled in Beyond GED receive a paid stipend for the time they spend studying with tutor or teacher. Beyond GED obtainment, GHPN strives to assist students with finding job placement(s) for students to further hone their skills in the workforce and overcoming barriers to to academic and career success. Beyond GED also incorporates leadership development workshops and mentoring, delivered or coordinated by GHPN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Director of Post-Secondary Success
Jes Sweat
(518) 929-7732
jes@greaterhudsonpromise.org

Rent Assistance and Discretionary Fund

DISCRETIONARY FUND

Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood has been able to help community members and families meet immediate, emergency needs through the formation of our Emergency Discretionary Fund. Through this program and with the continued support from funders/donors, GHPN was able to support families directly by alleviating some of the stress and burden surrounding their current circumstances.

Each request for Emergency Assistance that is received is carefully considered; to date, we have assisted folks meet a wide range of needs and have observed the immediate impact by providing this form of direct relief, including, but not limited to: urgent rent assistance, car insurance or vehicle loan payment, utilities, clothing, cleaning supplies, driver’s education courses, sports programming, and medical equipment not covered by medical insurance or otherwise affordable.

EMERGENCY AIR CONDITIONERS

For three consecutive years, GHPN has partnered with the Spark of Hudson to deliver a total of 159 air conditioner units to residents of the Hudson City School District, providing much needed relief from the heat to children and families in our community in need.

BTCF Guaranteed Income for Columbia County

a countywide guaranteed income pilot program
for single parents/caregivers
with children age six and younger.

Selected participants will receive $500 every month for two years.

Confidential Lottery Application Open May 1 - July 1, 2025

About BTCF-GICC

BTCF Guaranteed Income for Columbia County is a two-year pilot program providing monthly payments of $500 to single-caregiver households with children age 6 and under. Designed to increase financial stability, improve well-being, and expand opportunity, the program will reach 42 participants—two from each of Columbia County’s 21 towns—selected by lottery.

The pilot is a partnership between Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) and Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood (GHPN). For more information about BTCF Guaranteed Income for Columbia County, or to become a donor, visit berkshiretaconic.org.

Eligibility Criteria

Two participants will be selected from each of the twenty-one towns/cities in Columbia County.

Selected participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Currently resides in Columbia County

2. Single caregiver household* with a child, or children, age 6 and younger

3. Household income is below 80% of 2025 Area Median Income (AMI) for Columbia County**

*Single caregivers may include: biological parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians, and kinship caregivers.

**See chart below to determine income eligibility based on household size.

Lottery Details

• The lottery will open May 1, 2025 and will close on July 1st, 2025.

• Eligible applicants may submit their form here.

• Limit one entry per household.

• Information submitted on lottery forms will be subject to verification.

• Applicants are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns before submitting a lottery form.

• Individuals who have submitted lottery forms and need to update information or make any changes should contact program staff before submitting a second form.

Inquiries about the lottery should be directed to GHPN Director of Special Projects, Nicole Fallon.

E-mail: nicole@greaterhudsonpromise.org

Text/Call: 518-212-7391

About HudsonUP

HudsonUP is a collaborative basic income pilot program in the City of Hudson.

128 participants currently receive $500 every month, for 5 years, unrestricted and guaranteed.

Initially launched in 2020, HudsonUP has been a unique opportunity to broaden GHPN’s partnership with the Spark of Hudson and to provide direct cash relief to city of Hudson residents.  The program was designed and implemented with the influence and oversight of the HudsonUP Advisory Board, which is comprised of local leaders, elected officials, researchers, etc., to evaluate the pilot and with the shared goal of benefitting the Hudson community and to demonstrate the power of basic income for all.

In this role, GHPN has been able to ensure that participants have community-based points of contact and trusted staff, offering support from onboarding through the final pilot payment.

Since launching in 2020 as the nation’s first long-term basic income pilot in a small city, HudsonUP staff have been active members of the Guaranteed Income Community of Practice and the New York State Cash Alliance.

For more information about HudsonUP and the pilot History, visit the HudsonUP website.

After-School and Summer Transportation

In April 2023, GHPN purchased a new vehicle! In the Summer of 2023 GHPN collaborated with Columbia County DSS, and Pat Zanchelli Inc., to develop a system of transportation for our local summer programs. GHPN collaborated to assist organizations such as The Hudson Youth Department, and Kite’s Nest with youth transportation. Youth involved in our local boxing program, and Columbia-Greene College Workforce also received transportation. In July GHPN also assisted in coordinating transportation for two field trips for Oakdale Summer Program with 48 students receiving transportation on the first trip and 35 on the second.  All in all over the summer GHPN’s Transportation Program was able to serve 99 total youth, averaging 55 youth per day.

In an effort to improve chronic absenteeism in the Hudson City School District, GHPN has agreed to assist the District with transportation for students on an emergency basis. GHPN agreed to partner with Coxsackie Transport in September of 2023, to assist in transporting students home from our CO-HOST out-of-school-time programs for the 2023-2024 school year. At this time, 48 youth have received transportation home from out of school time-programming, with an average daily ridership of 31 students. 

Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents
(GHICIP)

THE MISSION OF GHICIP IS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION THROUGH EDUCATION, PROGRAMMING, AND  POLICY CHANGES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY.

Areas of Focus
- Education and Outreach
- Data
- Policy and Procedures
- Programs

Enhanced Visit Program

(IN-PERSON)
AT THE COLUMBIA COUNTY JAIL

Tuesdays 3:30-4:30PM
Fridays 1:00-2:00PM, 3:30-4:30PM

VIRTUAL VISITS ALSO OFFERED!

FREE 1-HOUR Video Visits
Facilitated by GHPN Staff

Columbia County & Hudson Out-of-School Time Collaborative (CO-HOST)

The mission of the Columbia County and Hudson Out-of-School Time Collaborative is to build a culture of learning in our community by creating pathways for youth and their families to engage in meaningful out-of-school experiences.
Co-H.O.S.T. provides high quality programs that foster a culture of learning within safe and supportive environments. Each organization brings their own ideas and experiences to work together together to find solutions to assist one another.

Youth Prevention Network (YPN)

The Youth Prevention Network of Columbia County works to support families and youth in need through a strength-based, trauma-informed and collaborative framework to build on existing community resources and by addressing service gaps. 

Vision : Through seamless coordination of resources and supports, every child and family in Columbia County is given the best opportunity to thrive. 

Values : Strengths-based, Trauma-informed, Family-focused, Person-centered, Equity-driven, Culturally Sensitive, Community-based, Culture of Collaboration

Areas of Impact

The Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood seeks to address systemic challenges and needs experienced by children and families in our community through a program model that impact five core areas.

Direct Support & Resources: GHPN offers opportunities and assistance to the youth and families we serve through direct support including our HudsonUP UBI pilot, emergency and discretionary funding, rental assistance and more.

Community & Collaboration: GHPN strives to create a culture of collaboration amongst stakeholders throughout the Hudson City School District and Columbia County. Through our Out-Of-School Time network, partner organizations come together monthly to work to address gaps in service and identify strategies to address needs. GHPN believes in the power of community-building and hosts several, large community-building events annually, including but not limited to: Community Clean-Up, Community Block Party, and MLK Day of Service.

Individual & Systems Advocacy: GHPN works to advocate for community members who are being negatively affected by systemic oppression. By enforcing the “dignity and worth of every person”, GHPN works to protect the rights of all people we serve. Through key programs and initiatives, like the Community Court Advocacy Program and Safeguarding the Children of Arrested Parents, we work as an organization to disrupt inherently oppressive systems. GHPN advocates for the rights of children facing adverse experiences and challenges through our Youth Prevention Network and Mentoring Programs.

Education & Professional Development: GHPN provides educational programming through our Early Learning and Literacy Network for children ages 0-5 as well as in our TeamTam After-School program and in Beyond GED program for opportunity youth ages 16-24.We also organize and host training on issues and topics related to our mission and work.

Legal System Reform: GHPN works to actively disrupt negative justice systems that disproportionately affect the communities we serve. Through initiatives including The Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents and Safeguarding Children of Arrested Parents, we work to develop policies and implement unique programming to serve children and families impacted by current and recent legal system involvement.