About hudson clubhouse
• About Us
Hudson Valley Clubhouse is a community where adults living with mental health challenges find hope, purpose, and opportunity.
We believe every person has strengths, talents, and the ability to contribute meaningfully when given the right support, encouragement, and environment. Through relationships, shared work, education, employment, and community engagement, members build confidence, strengthen independence, and create purposeful, fulfilling lives.
OUR MISSION
Hudson Valley Clubhouse empowers adults living with mental health conditions to achieve recovery, independence, and meaningful lives through community, opportunity, and purpose.
We provide a welcoming, member-centered environment where individuals work alongside staff as partners to build skills, relationships, and connections to work, education, and community.
Our Vision
We see a Hudson Valley where every person living with a mental health condition has access to support, meaningful work, quality healthcare, stable housing, and the chance to live with dignity and hope.
We envision a stigma-free community that has empathy and understanding which makes recovery possible for all.
Our Values
Our core values guide us in providing compassionate support, equal opportunity, and meaningful partnership for every individual we serve.
Respect
Every person is treated with dignity and compassion.
Community
Healing happens through belonging and support.
Partnership
Members and staff work side by side.
Hope
Recovery is possible, and everyone can grow.
Opportunity
Everyone deserves access to work, education, and development.
Inclusion
Our doors are open to all adults living with mental health challenges.
Too many people living with mental illness face isolation, unemployment, homelessness, or repeated hospitalizations without ongoing support.
Hudson Valley Clubhouse exists to change that.
We provide a safe, welcoming place where members are valued for their abilities, build confidence, develop skills, and create brighter futures.
a Proven Impact from Our First Year
We engaged social scientists from Marist College to document the impact that our Clubhouse has had on our members’ lives. In just our first year of operation (2024) a published Marist work cited:
- 44% of members reported an improvement in housing status since joining the Clubhouse.
- 27% of members report an improvement in employment status since joining the Clubhouse.
- 85% of members surveyed reported an increase in thriving (sense of meaning and purpose).
- 79% of members surveyed reported increased belonging and decreased social isolation.
Our success is defined by helping members...
- Build friendships and reduce isolation
- Gain confidence and self-esteem
- Return to work or begin new careers
- Pursue education and training
- Improve health and wellness
- Reduce hospitalizations
- Increase independence
- Become active in their communities
• Our History
From a vision first shared in 2022 to the growing community we are today, this is how Hudson Valley Clubhouse came to be.
In 2022, a group of advocates and individuals with lived experience in the Clubhouse Model came together to address a critical need in the Hudson Valley.
Working closely with local mental health providers and Clubhouse International, they rallied community support and generous seed funding to open our doors in late 2023.
Their vision was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from local clinical providers, government leaders, and regional allies who recognized the urgent need for this model.
From a single staff member and a small gathering of pioneer members, our Clubhouse rapidly expanded to serve over 100 adults.
We continue to grow our community, develop job training and employment assistance programs, and work toward formal accreditation, ensuring everyone living with mental health challenges has a place to belong, work, and grow.
Today, Hudson Valley Clubhouse serves adults throughout Dutchess County and the mid-Hudson Valley region.
Located at 98 Cannon Street in the heart of Poughkeepsie, we are accessible from major County bus routes and walkable for many. We have van transportation for those in outlying Dutchess County locations.
Our clubhouse offers a safe, supportive place to participate in meaningful work, build skills, connect socially, and access employment, education, and wellness opportunities.
Our Board and Leadership Team
Hudson Valley Clubhouse is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors and leadership team committed to our mission and long-term sustainability.
Our Board includes community leaders, professionals, advocates, and people passionate about mental health.
Our Leadership Team works to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, accountability, and hope.
board of directors
Lorna Hyde Graev
Chair
Mila Tewell
Vice Chair
Emma Sweeney Lewis
Secretary
Peter Sullivan
Finance Committee Chair
Denise Bauer
LCSW (INACTIVE)
Nominating Committee Chair
Diana Goldin
REV. Richard McKeon
Elsie Pyne
Sarah Rand
Lynn Nicholas, PsyD
Emeriti Member and co-Founder
leadership team
Blaise Sackett, MSW
Executive Director
Sarah Santos, BSW
Program Director