Message from Leadership

It is such a pleasure and an honor to serve as the executive director of The Philipstown Hub. I have been following The Hub’s journey since the beginning and have been impressed and moved time and again at its vision and growth. Through the years, The Hub has been instrumental in creating a community in which neighbors support each other and people can openly reach out for help when they need it. We aim to be a visible force in Philipstown, an open door through which individuals and families seeking mental health or recovery resources can enter. The vision of The Hub has always been clear: to cultivate a culture of community-based mental health so that every person can get the support they need. 

We know that human connection is the key to our mental wellbeing, and The Hub is a place of connection. Whether it's talking on the phone once a week with a caring professional, seeking help at the time of a crisis, or attending one of our groups, the support is here. We are responding to community feedback regarding our support groups, and we are excited to have more programming than ever available because education and connection are linked to prevention.

The Hub is here for you. Our door is open to all, thanks to the generous support of our donors. I'm thrilled to lead The Hub as we start this next chapter together! 

Together in Light,

Michelle Kupper, PhD
Executive Director

Impact By the Numbers

Our Work in Action

Finding mental health and addiction support can feel overwhelming, but at the Hub, we ensure that no one has to navigate these challenges alone. This year, we expanded our efforts to connect community members to the resources they need, including:

• Information on treatment and recovery resources

• Guidance and support for families navigating care

• Direct referrals to trusted providers

We are proud to have served 134 participants this year, helping individuals and families access treatment and care that can be so hard to find. 

The care coordinators at The Hub provide: 

• Information on treatment and recovery resources - therapy, mental health resources, programming, medical professionals of all types

• Guidance and support for families navigating care

• Direct referrals to trusted providers

• Information about insurance and how to access The Hub’s current financial assistance program

• Programming to meet the needs of participants and the broader community

The Hub recently launched our You Matter Line, a service that offers personalized weekly check-ins for participants. This initiative provides scheduled calls with a Care Coordinator to support individuals’ mental health needs. The Hub partners with the local police department, the ambulance corps, and the senior center to spread awareness about this program to community members. Participants benefit from a weekly check in from a caring professional who can help them navigate challenges and set goals. The You Matter Line supported 47 calls totaling nearly 800 minutes, helping community members through hard times. 

Current Staff

Community events and education programs are vital to break stigma and normalize conversations around mental health and substance use. This year, we saw increased participation, with hundreds of attendees at our workshops and community events. 

• Free Narcan Trainings gave participants life-saving knowledge and tools. Participants left with a kit in hand and the confidence to step in during an opioid overdose.

• Through community events like our annual 5K and Family Fun Run, discussion panels, and remembrance ceremonies, we created meaningful spaces for education, connection, and healing for Philipstown residents.

From our robust supportive programming to youth- and senior-friendly opportunities, The Hub strives to create space for people to get support and to be their authentic selves. 

Responsive Programming 

This year, we organized 8 peer support groups that created circles of care for community members, reminding them that they are not alone on their journey.

Our groups supported women with ADHD, individuals experiencing grief and loss, caregivers of adults, those facing fertility challenges, and parents of emerging adults. We also offered a virtual Stress on the Job series to support those navigating workplace pressures.

In collaboration with local schools, The Hub provided grief support for teens who had recently lost a loved one, and we partnered with the Haldane and GUFS PTAs’ Learning Differences Committee to host bi-monthly discussions focused on support and understanding.

Creating Space for Seniors

Creating Space for Youth

The Hub teamed up with local schools and presented our You Matter Award, celebrating students who embody kindness, inclusivity, and compassion towards others. Students are selected by school staff for their leadership in looking out for their peers, serving as a positive role model, and spreading the message that everyone matters and anyone can make a difference. 

The Hub presented the You Matter Award to:

Creating the Hub on Route 9

Celebrating The hub’s 5th Anniversary

Vision For The Future

The Hub is a space that responds to the community’s needs today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. 

We have some exciting plans ahead that aim to deepen our community connections and create an even more welcoming environment for everyone. 

• Teen Space: A welcoming, youth-centered hub designed for connection, creativity, and growth.

• Onsite Counselors: Bringing mental health professionals onsite at the Hub for easier access and support. 

• Expand Community Partnerships: Collaborate with more like-minded organizations in Philipstown to reach even more residents in need of support. 

• Increase Community Training and Awareness: Host Narcan training sessions for students and various community groups and Mental Health First Aid trainings to help coaches, teachers, and community members recognize signs of distress and know when and how to help.  

• Strengthen School and Youth Initiatives - expand reach to teens and pre-teens to increase awareness of the Hub’s presence and services, like Confidence Club, a supportive space to help students build their self-esteem. 

• Launch Groups and Workshops Responsive to Community Needs - such as Compass Circle to offer parents and guardians of teens and young adults facing mental health challenges a place to turn to for support, resources, and tools as they advocate for their children.

Financials

Message from the Board

I became a social worker—and, along with your neighbors, founded The Philipstown Hub—because I believe in community and in the power of people helping people.

The Hub is about being there for you—and being there again and again—as you move through the ups and downs of the mental health journey. We know that mental health has highs and lows, addiction is a medical condition, and recovery is possible. Healing is strongest when you are supported, trusted, and connected.

We created the Hub so no one has to face life’s challenges alone. We support you by:

• Connecting you with resources and guidance at your own pace
• Being a steady, listening presence whenever you need it
• Building community connections rooted in trust and care
• Breaking down stigma so everyone feels safe and seen

We’re deeply grateful to you and to everyone who reaches out. Your courage strengthens our community and helps light the way for others. 

At the Hub, you belong to a community that walks with you, lifts you up, and opens the next door together.

You Matter,

Rebecca Lan Pearsall,
Board Chair

Board of Directors

2024-2025 Board Members: 

Our Supporters

Corporate & Foundation Sponsors

Government Sponsors

The Town of Philipstown
Putnam County
NYS Senate - Office of Senator Rolison
NYS Assembly - Office of Assemblymember Levenberg

Individual Donors ($100+)