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Writer's pictureTina Dierna

Helping Others is Key


Collaboration may seem similar to community, and in some respects it is. However, collaboration is actually where the magic happens. In helping others, one builds a sense of community.


Collaboration is where the seeds of a community start to grow.


Without all of the following founders and partners of The Coop Concept, it would not be where it is today.


First up, we have the NoVo Foundation. This Foundation was created in 2006, and it "supports initiatives that promote a holistic, interconnected and healing vision for humanity." The foundation provided us with a small grant to start this work and train 9 youth over the summer.


The New York State Power Authority. The NYSPA's mission is to "Lead the transition to a carbon-free, economically vibrant New York through customer partnerships, innovative energy solutions, and the responsible supply of affordable, clean, and reliable electricity."


The Cornell Cooperative Extension. "Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being."


The Ulster County Summer Youth Employment Program is an initiative to get kids into the workforce during the summer.


MASS Design Group. Their mission "is to research, build, and advocate for architecture that promotes justice and human dignity." They believe that "architecture has a critical role to play in supporting communities to confront history, shape new narratives, collectively heal and project new possibilities for the future."


Trust Up mission is to "rebuild trust in our selves and our communities by circulating our many resources." Rob Jamison, the founder of Trust Up is also on our advisory board and a huge part of our community. He spent significant time with the youth this summer and working on our ideal


Hudson Valley Credit Union, a local banking institution that serves the Hudson Valley. Their purpose is "To partner in building successful futures for individual members, employees, and our entire community." Their impact: "To foster financial freedom." They came through for a workshop with our youth and taught them about saving their paychecks, budgeting their money and planning for their future success!


Goose Studio is a close friend to our feathered flock! The owner, Rebecca Fogg is also a fellow hockey player with the founders of The COOP Concept. Fun fact, our hockey logo looks like a scary chicken, it's really a horse on fire... but I guess you can say we really like all things feathery! At Goose Studio branding is on point and "creativity meets strategy." Goose Studio will "elevate your design experience, create killer content, engage with your community, reach new audiences + much more." Thanks for the rebrand of our logo to reflect the COOP is chicken related and not Co-Op related (with Co-op in mind)!


Good Work Institute exists to "build and amplify the collective power of people to reject systems of oppression and extraction and create regenerative, just, and life-affirming communities." Thank you for being our fiscal sponsors and holding our 501c3 status so we can do the good work we want to do while building our programming and community relationships!


Stewart's Shops funded an entire garden bed, or an entire week of lunches for all youth participants and healthy snacks with their financial donation! They "are committed to growing strong communities."


Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health provided our youth with safety equipment for the entire summer and some of their tools needed with their financial contribution they made our work environment safe "The Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health, Inc. is an independent, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping develop, maintain and expand prevention and early intervention programs for youth in the region – targeting the service areas of Delaware, Ulster, Greene, and Columbia Counties and the Northern Dutchess towns of Red Hook and Rhinebeck."


Mid Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union provided a small donation to help build a garden bed "At our core, MHV believes that people deserve guidance wherever they are on their financial journey."


Radio Kingston provided a small donation to help build a garden bed as well! Their continued support in the community allows so many local programs to flourish! "Radio Kingston is a non-commercial platform dedicated to a vibrant, just, and healthy Kingston centered around community storytelling, artistic and musical expression, conversation and connection."


The people of our local BUY NOTHING Project. Your plant donations and house plant clippings allowed us to add diversity to our programming, meet new people and share this resource with youth in Kingston "We exist to build resilient communities where our true wealth is the connections forged between neighbors."


The Coop Concept would like to thank William and Siobhan Burch, Maya Rzek, Rebecca Fogg, Claudia Patch, Natalie Uriuoli, Jennie Swantz, Candace Garnes, Frank Waters for their financial contributions and program support.







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