RUPCO 35th anniversary logo Our Community Voice

February 2016

NYSERDA Names The Lace Mill a Trailblazer

Kevin O_Connor_ Guy Kempe_ Chuck Snyder_ NYSERDA Trailblazer Award

At the 2016 ACI New York Regional Home Performance Conference in Saratoga Springs, NYSERDA honored The Lace Mill with its Low-rise Residential New Construction Program Trailblazing Project Award. Each year, NYSERDA recognizes projects of merit innovative approaches to energy efficiency, usage, and application. Worthy of The Trailblazer, The Lace Mill hosts Kingston's largest solar array (160kW) which net-meters rooftop solar-electricity production against the building's common area energy usage. RUPCO also incorporated extensive building science in addressing energy-efficiency measures while adapting the century-old building to residential space and adhering to strict historic preservation requirements. Pictured above are RUPCO's Chief Executive Officer Kevin O'Connor, VP of Community Development Guy Kempe and Director of Construction Chuck Snyder.

Creating Tech-savvy Seniors

The Senior Supportive Housing Program (SSHP) is teaching senior residents how to take charge of family relationships, health and wellness with online tools. With funding from the NYS Department of Health grant received in 2015, SSHP is teaching our elderly crew how to connect with today's technology. Starting March 3 for four weeks, SSHP Care Manager Bob Budreau is holding 1.5 hour sessions to show seniors how to use their laptops, Androids, and iPhones. "I have 15 iPads for class use, which are available on a first-come basis," notes Budreau. "However, seniors are encouraged to bring their own technology so they can learn first-hand." Trainings will focus on email, Facebook, brain games like Luminosity, solitaire games, diabetes management and online recipes. Tech workshops are scheduled for Thursday (March 3, 10, 17 and 24) at three locations (Jenny's Gardens 10-11:30am, Milton Harvest noon-1:30pm, Golden View 2-3:30pm).

Get Out Your Calendars

DATE: Thursday, March 31, noon-2pm

LOCATION: Colden Manor at Spruce Lodge, 619 State Route 17K, Montgomery

SPONSORSHIP: Contact Faith Moore (845) 713-4468 x110 or email fmoore@ocrdac.org

To celebrate its one-year anniversary as a RUPCO affiliate, RDAC is hosting the Legacy Luncheon to honor Joseph Czajak and ERA Curasi Realty with the Alice Dickinson Legacy Award. RDAC will also announce new fund such as NYS RESTORE and share its Green Team's regional energy-efficiency efforts. Legacy Sponsor SONYMA will also announce its Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Lunch tickets are free, but online RSVP is required. Table of 8 sponsorships are available at $500 each.

DATE: Thursday, June 16, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

LOCATION: The Senate Garage, 6 North Front Street, Kingston

SPONSORSHIP: Contact Tara Collins (845) 331-2140 x276 or email TCollins@rupco.org

We're mixing things up for our annual fundraiser, Celebrate Community. We're taking it indoors at The Senate Garage (but keeping a nice outdoor cocktail hour on The Senate House lawn like old times). We're trading in the sit-down dinner for a fun, dynamic evening of food stations, beer and wine sampling, silent and live auctions to help raise money for RUPCO programs and services. Smooth jazz by Mike DeMicco and the Lindsey Webster Band are back, too. Raffle tickets for the Hudson Valley Dine Out Book with over $1000 in restaurant gift certificates also returns. Join our Premier Sponsor M&T Bank, House Sponsors TrustCO Bank and JPMorganCHASE, and Supporting Sponsors Hamaspik, Choice, Jeff Lowe Plumbing Heating & AC, Ulster County Board of Realtors in making RUPCO's 35th anniversary Celebrate Community one for the record books. Tickets are $75. Check our next newsletter for more information.

Fiber Artist Exhibits at Woodstock Commons

The LIghthouse_ Quilted fabric art by Prudence Nelmes

RUPCO's Community Showcase will feature the handiwork of Prudence Nelmes at Woodstock Commons Community Room, March 11 through April 30. Her masterpieces include bedspreads, quilts, and framed art. Join us for a Meet-the-Artist reception on Friday, March 11 from 5-7pm. This community gathering is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. Read more about Prudence's philosophy and her six-decade journey through fiber expression here.

Barbara Schacker's water color/mixed-media exhibit is currently showing through February 29 at the Woodstock Commons Community Center. Avigyail Landsman shows in May/June 2016.

35 Years of Impact

RUPCO got its start back in October 1981. Since then we've touched a lot of lives. How have we touched you? We want to know!

Share your story with us. Pictures are good too! How did you work with RUPCO over the years? Did you buy your first house? Did you save money by creating an energy-efficient home? How did we helped make life more manageable for you and your family? Your story is our story! Share your story, long or short, with Communications Director Tara Collins (845) 331-2140 x276 or by email tcollins@rupco.org.

Sponsorship Goes a Long Way

Girder Level

People-in-need depend on our services and programs year-round. Help us meet the need by adding your business to RUPCO's Corporate Sponsor Matrix. Simply complete and return this form with your check or contact the Resource Development Office

(845) 331-2140 x276.

Hearth Level

Strut Level

Ledger Level

Duncan & Duncan Associates

Jeff Lowe Plumbing Heating & AC

Ulster County Board of Realtors

Spotlight on Staff

Karyn Perez joins the Housing Choice Voucher Program as a Program Specialist in the Greene County office.

Marie Pickel HOPWA-HCV Program Specialist

As a Program Specialist, Marie Pickel splits her time between the Housing Choice Voucher Program and HOPWA client support.

HOPWA Care Manager Lisa McDonald brings supportive services to those living with AIDS.

Thank you for reading. Now please pass it on. We all know someone who could use a hand or lend a hand. Whether you pass this on to a potential client or a potential donor, the simple act of passing it on creates a positive impact on your community!

RUPCO | 289 Fair Street | Kingston, NY 12401 | www.rupco.org