Wow, 25 years — what a proud milestone for Safe Harbors!

Since our founding in 2000, we have never settled for done — cutting the ribbon on the Cornerstone Residence in 2006 was just the incredible beginning of the journey. Every year since, we have found new and exciting ways to increase our impact, grow our footprint, deepen our engagement with our neighbors, and bring new life to the corner of Broadway and Liberty Street.

The rich tapestry of our timeline weaves together the threads of our work over the decades — equitable, affordable housing intertwined with world class visual and performing arts, strengthened by deep community engagement and the steady work of downtown revitalization, economic development, and social and environmental justice.

Now 25 years into the journey, Safe Harbors is continuing to broaden our reach in new and creative ways: reopening the Ritz Theater Stagehouse and welcoming audiences for the first time in more than 50 years; taking the steps towards extending affordable housing to 55 families; launching a podcast and soon a new radio station; and an ever-growing calendar of performances and exhibitions that have seen our audience grow by a whopping 93% in just two years!

Along the way, we’ve been honored with recognition for our good work: from Supportive Housing Residence of the Year in 2006, to NYSERDA’s 2025 Building of Excellence Award for our commitment to sustainability, and the New York State Association for Affordable Housing’s 2025 Not-for-Profit of the Year.

As we celebrate 25 years, the timeline continues — new homes are taking shape, new voices are stepping onto the stage, and the next chapter of Safe Harbors is underway!

Lisa Silverstone, Executive Director

2024 was a transformative year for Safe Harbors, a year marked by significant physical changes and capital improvements across our campus – the near completion of a multi-million dollar renovation to our Cornerstone Residence; the demolition of the historic Ritz Theater stagehouse and plans for a modern stage that will allow for public access; and major upgrades to the sound, lighting, and look of our intimate performance space, the Lobby at the Ritz.

These capital improvements are essential to bolstering our mission, expanding our unique model of downtown redevelopment, and amplifying our impact on the community we serve; but as I reflect on the pages of this Annual Report, what truly stands out is not the progress in the building, but the people that make up the Safe Harbors family…it’s Cornerstone residents, dedicated staff and board, partners, collaborators, audience members and artists, enthusiasts and passersby!

The people enliven the spaces and animate our mission! The people in all their rich and beautiful diversity, with their stories to tell, songs to sing, art to inspire, and Salsa to dance.

As we enter our 25th anniversary year, we look forward to celebrating the transformative project we have created together and the partnerships, perspectives, hard work, insights, participation, leadership, generosity, and support of the people that have contributed to its success!

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together for a stronger, healthier Newburgh for everyone!

Lisa Silverstone
Executive Director

Flowers for our Grandmothers
September 27 – October 11

Listen to the Audio here
View the Book here

Safe Harbors is proud to present an exhibition of Flowers for Our Grandmothers, a community-based collaborative creative project led by Gabrielle Burton Hill, Francois Deschamps, and Jesse Flaitz.

Flowers for Our Grandmothers aims to represent and honor the lives, beauty, and wisdom of Black and African-American grandmothers in Newburgh. Participating grandmothers were interviewed, recorded, and photographed by the creative team, and the project includes an exhibition of photographs, a 52-page book with illustrations and narratives, and an audio interview archive. A soundtrack edited from interviews with participants will accompany the exhibition. Their framed photographs and live recordings will be on display for Newburgh Open Studios Weekend in the Cornerstone Lobby, with a special opening reception and panel discussion with the grandmothers on Friday, September 27. The exhibition will be remain on view through October 11.

Opening Reception & Panel Discussion Friday, September 27 at 5:30 pm

Newburgh Open Studios Extended Hours September 28-29 from 12 – 6 pm

On View Daily Through October 11 from 12 – 4 pm

Ch, ch, ch, ch, changes could well be the theme song for 2023 at Safe Harbors! The year saw evolution taking place across the organization: on our staff, in our buildings, and in new projects that will shape and expand our capacity and impact into the future.

In 2023 and into 2024 we prepared for the retirement of founding staff members (some after 20+ years!) and welcomed 5 new team members who bring a diverse range of professional backgrounds and expertise to our work (more on page 12).

Safe Harbors was proud to be the first supportive housing organization in New York to receive funding from the State’s newly launched Supportive Housing Preservation Program. The $15 million subsidy will fully underwrite needed upgrades at the Cornerstone Residence, resulting in long-term sustainability, improved quality of living for residents, and a 20% energy savings. The 18-month project will continue through 2024, and the smell of fresh paint, the
sound of hammers, and the gleaming of new tile on the floors are daily physical reminders of progress, growth, and possibility!

Finally, in December 2023 we closed on the purchase of 69 William Street in the City of Newburgh. Working with our partner Bronx Pro, we will preserve historic architecture and build on vacant space to develop 50 beautiful, affordable apartments for individuals and families. We look forward to sharing updates on our progress as the project continues.

Energized with fresh eyes, new perspectives and exciting opportunities, Safe Harbors is focused ever onward and upward, building on our solid organizational foundation and deep community roots to further realize our mission, grow our unique model of downtown revitalization, and increase our impact on the community we serve.

Thank you for being part of our vision for a creative, supportive, and flourishing Newburgh. Together we are making a difference!

Public Notice: Please see the attached Ranking & Scoring Report for FY 2023 CoC Program Competition for NY-602 Newburgh, Middletown, Orange County.

https://safe-harbors.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FY-2023-Ranking-Scoring-Report.pdf

Safe Harbors of the Hudson is working with Avante Contracting Corporation on the rehabilitation of Safe Harbors’ 128-unit Cornerstone Residence in the City of Newburgh, NY. AVANTE is currently accepting bids for this moderate rehabilitation. NYS Certified M/WBE and SDVOB Contractors and Vendors are strongly encouraged to bid. Contact info@abra-avante.com or (914) 698-0700 for bid information.

July 31, 2023 ADDENDUM to:

Request for Proposals

Environmental Engineering Services to Perform

Brownfield Assessments

Date of Issuance: Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Date of Submission: Friday, August 4, 2023

Please see link for questions and answers regarding the above referenced RFP.