The Cornerstone Residence
Dedication
On December 1, 2006, Safe Harbors of the Hudson celebrated the official opening the Cornerstone Residence, a 128-unit supportive housing residence for formerly homeless, previous tenants and working artists in the City of Newburgh. The occasion marked the achievement of the major goal for which the organization was found five years ago.
Ribbon cutting attendees included Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine, City Council member Regina Angelo, City Manager Jean-Ann McGrane, Rich McCauley of the Richman Group, John Ebert of Orange County Development, Doug Hovey of Independent Living, SHOH founder and executive director Patricia Haggerty-Wenz, and Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who said that the Cornerstone Residence will "bring back the essence, the life of this city of Newburgh."
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, an estimated 7,000 of the 28,000 City of Newburgh residents of Newburgh suffer from mental illness, and over 25% live below the poverty line. Safe Harbors estimates that approximately 160 residents of Newburgh are homeless. Since opening this fall, SHOH founder and executive director Patricia Haggerty-Wenz says that they have already helped 17 residents secure employment.
"Newburgh is a place that is waiting for miracles every day," said Reverend Deborah Dresser at the ceremony last week, "And Safe Harbor's Cornerstone Residence is just what we've been waiting for."
As SHOH Board Chair Anne McCarthy Kennedy described it, the new building is "the Cornerstone of our tenants' lives, of Newburgh's economic revitalization, and of the city's cultural life."
The Cornerstone concept, combining supportive housing with artist lofts and providing social services in-house, is modeled on similar projects in New York City created by Common Ground, which has served as co-developer, helped secure financing, and assisted in the overall planning and design.
Brought to life through the support of elected officials, business leaders, and community members, Safe Harbor's new building will anchor the revitalization of downtown Newburgh, while providing urgently needed homes for its most vulnerable residents.
Bottom picture: Safe Harbors of the Hudson board chair Ann Kennedy and Executive Director Trica Haggerty-Wenz receiving a certificate of appreciation from Deborah Devin of the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal.
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