The YOU will be a visionary new community center for youth and families throughout Dutchess County, located in the heart of Poughkeepsie, New York.
Updates
County Legislature Updated on Design, Fund-Raising Efforts
County Legislature Gets Details of Approximate $70 Million YOU Project
YOU Advisory Board Engages at Flag Football Pep Rally
County Executive Provides Update on YOU Project
YOU Team Visits Two YMCA Facilities in the Bronx
‘YOU Goes Boo’ Takes Place Under Sunny Skies
‘YOU Goes Boo’ Event set for Eastman Park on Saturday, October 22
YOU Team Engages Public at Dutchess County Fair
YOU Advisory Board Members Attend Leadership Institute at Harvard
Video: Dutchess County Takes Next Step Toward The YOU
More Updates and News
Timeline
About
The Youth Opportunity Union (YOU) will be a visionary new community center for all Dutchess County youth and families, located in the heart of Poughkeepsie, New York. Serving the entire Dutchess County community, the YOU will be a welcoming and inclusive space, where children can play, learn, and grow — from infancy to young adulthood.
The YOU will focus on recreational, educational, and healthy opportunities — both physical and mental. It will be a fixture for Dutchess County’s Path to Promise initiative that employs strategic ways to ensure all young people in the county have the assets they need to realize their full potential as they grow into young adults.
Based on community input, the YOU’s offerings might include a pool, gymnasium, fitness center, wellness and health services, and a 24-hour childcare center — among many other enriching programs and classes.
The YOU will be a safe and vibrant center that values kindness, inclusivity, and respect.
“The community needs and deserves a place to gather and feel a part of—with their family, neighbors and community—that expands friendships and respect.”
Diane Maffei
Dutchess County Resident
History
The YOU has been made possible through a coalition of local community organizations, civic entities, and education and healthcare leaders who are invested in creating a model community center focused on supporting and empowering our local youth who have sorely missed the presence of a community center in Poughkeepsie for over a decade.
The YOU will be located at the former Dutchess YMCA site at 35 Montgomery Street. The three-acre property has been vacant and become increasingly deteriorated since the YMCA’s closing in 2009. In 2020, Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie formally partnered to create a new youth center at this location (click here for a timeline of the project's development). Dutchess County’s $25 million investment will support demolition, design, and construction of the YOU campus. The City, County, and members of the 35 Montgomery Community Coalition are working to secure additional funding in support of the project.
“A youth center is a vital component missing in the city of Poughkeepsie. The [YOU] is essential and will provide a safe, structured and horizon-expanding space that will benefit young people throughout Dutchess County, providing much-needed educational, healthcare, childcare and recreation opportunities.”
Rev. Dr. Jesse V. Bottoms, Jr.
Pastor, Beulah Baptist Church
”This will be a place where children and young adults will feel right at home. They will know it was built with them in mind. The county needs such a youth center, and I am excited this project is underway. I know it will bring joy to so many once it’s built and the doors are open.”
Sanjay Natesan
President, Dutchess County Youth Council
News Releases
County Legislature Receives Update on YOU Project (5/8/2023)
County Takes Next Step Toward Youth Opportunity Union (6/6/2022)
County Names YOU Advisory Committee, Future Operator (11/18/2021)
County Executive Molinaro to Present $25 million Youth Center Plan to Legislature (7/6/21)
City of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County Propose Land Deal for Youth Center (2/24/21)
City of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County Sign Agreement to Make Youth Center a Reality (8/19/20)
Public Meetings
Dutchess County Legislature, Public Works & Capital Projects Committee Meeting (5/4/2023): Recording + Meeting Minutes
Dutchess County Legislature, Board Meeting (7/12/21): Recording + Meeting Minutes
Dutchess County Legislature, Public Works & Capital Projects Committee Meeting (7/8/21): Recording + Meeting Minutes
City of Poughkeepsie Common Council Meeting (5/17/21): Recording + Meeting Minutes
City of Poughkeepsie Common Council, Special Meeting - YMCA Future Use (3/3/21): Recording
City of Poughkeepsie, YMCA Future Use Public Information Session (10/23/19): Recording + Meeting Summary
City of Poughkeepsie, YMCA Future Use Community Meeting (6/26/19): Recording + Meeting Summary
City of Poughkeepsie, YMCA Future Use Community Meeting (5/13/19): Meeting Summary
YOU Advisory Committee Members 2024
The vision for the YOU was developed by the 35 Montgomery Community Coalition, a unique group of architects, designers, grassroots community leaders, youth service providers, educators, healthcare providers, government officials, and community members.
The Coalition was formed by the City of Poughkeepsie; Community Matters 2; DAY ONE Early Learning Community; Dutchess Community College; Dutchess County; MASS Design Group; Nuvance Health; Poughkeepsie Farm Project; Poughkeepsie Public Library District; Vassar College; and the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County.
Project partners, in addition to the Coalition, include: Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.; Family Services, Inc.; Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet; Poughkeepsie City School District; and Scenic Hudson
Meet the Designers
MASS Design Group has been selected as the Architect and Project Lead for the YOU.
As a global nonprofit, MASS has developed an international reputation for its commitment to social impact and environmental sustainability through award-winning and innovative work. MASS is driven by a focus on maximum impact for the constituents its projects serve. The firm strives to demonstrate that great design can engage civic responsibility, deliver economic and social outcomes, and inspire by bringing beauty and dignity to everyone.
MASS’s work on the YOU is being led by its Poughkeepsie office, operating from downtown since 2017. The firm’s Poughkeepsie team recently moved into its new location at 289 Main Street.
MASS Design Group’s Poughkeepsie office
Be in touch
Are you a community member who wants to stay in the loop? An organization who wants to partner? Someone hoping to donate?
Whoever you are, the YOU wants to hear from you!
Please fill out our form to get connected
“The [YOU] will be one of a kind in the Poughkeepsie area, and will bolster and host many opportunities for youth in the community, supporting access to health education and services and expanding access for continuing educational services.”
Ellen M. Gambino, Ed. D
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services, Dutchess Community College
”The essential services that will be provided will have a significant impact on the lives of our residents as well as many others in our service area. Working together, we can ensure that the holistic needs of individuals, children and families will result in positive outcomes.”
Shirley Adams
Former Executive Director, Catharine Street Community Center
“The YOU will be a hub for our Path to Promise efforts—a place where young people from around the county can access diverse programs and services, and we can more efficiently and effectively invest in and support our kids.”
Marc Molinaro
Former Dutchess County Executive