PCCE - Bard College VISTA

The Center for Civic Engagement realizes Bard¿s vision¿to act as a private institution in the public interest. CCE initiates programs, fosters sustained partnerships, and supports and connects students, faculty, and staff of Bard¿s local, national, and international networks as they work to make a difference in the civic life of their communities. CCE convenes community partners through Red Hook Together, a community working group founded fifteen years ago to strengthen the community through collaboration and coordination. The structure provides a framework to discuss community concerns and activate resources in support of community initiatives, including a 2023 comprehensive community needs assessment. Together, we intend to address the most pressing needs identified in the assessment through the Red Hook Connects initiative.

The needs assessment identified two areas critical to the health and welfare of our most vulnerable community members: 1) expansion and improvement of access to mental health services; and 2) coordination and expansion of innovative solutions for food security.

The VISTA member will launch Red Hook Connects to help community organizations coordinate efforts identified as next steps to address the key areas identified in the community needs assessment.