POUGHKEEPSIE – Mayor Rob Rolison’s 2022 Poughkeepsie City budget included funding for a Division of Youth Opportunity and Development, which was approved by the common council. After an interview process, Rolison announced on Monday that Karen Williams has been named as the division’s director.
Williams comes to the position with experience in similar programs. Williams is a human services and public administration professional with particular expertise in youth services. She is a former program supervisor for Hudson Valley Community Services, supervisor of the Dutchess One Stop: Level Up Dutchess Program, and Case Manager for the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Workforce Connections and for Dutchess County Healthy Families.
The mayor said creating the position was key to the city’s overall strategy, which has included teaming up with the Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser to create a Children’s Cabinet to bring together school districts, government agencies, child-serving community organizations, and other local stakeholders to improve the lives of youth and families. The Cabinet was formed in recognition of the fact that children spend 80 percent of their time out of the classroom and in the broader community.
The mayor also pointed to the growth in the city’s Youth Activities & Opportunities Grant program. This initiative, created in 2018 with $140,000 in seed money, has grown each year, with the mayor identifying nearly $500,000 in funds for this program in his 2023 budget proposal. The youth grant awards assist local nonprofits by providing funding to support clubs and leagues, other activities, and educational initiatives.
Williams will oversee the operations and management of the youth grant awards, in addition to seeking supplemental funding from other sources to help sustain and grow the program, and Williams will create and maintain a centralized directory of all youth services available in the area in such a way that the public can easily access information regarding available programs for eligible city youth.
Acknowledging the tremendous responsibilities of the position, Rolison said “Karen Williams brings with her considerable experience and a firm knowledge of the City of Poughkeepsie and surrounding areas,” adding “We are pleased to have on her board and know she will contribute greatly to the work we have been doing centered around positive youth development.”
In accepting the appointment, Williams said, “I am looking forward to seeing the growth and changes, and how this position will evolve and benefit the City of Poughkeepsie youth in a positive, tremendous way.”
