Building Excellence Together: Poughkeepsie Hosts Inaugural Out-of-School Time Summer Summit

August 19, 2025 - The Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet brought together more than 40 leaders from across the youth development sector for the inaugural PK OST Summer Summit on August 19, 2025. Held at Shadows on the Hudson, the day-long event fostered collaboration, shared best practices, and strengthened connections among organizations working to enhance out-of-school time programs for Poughkeepsie's youth.

The summit, themed "Building Excellence Together: A Day of Learning, Connection, and Growth," featured sessions addressing critical challenges facing OST providers. Matt Evans, Community Partnership Director for the Children's Cabinet, led a session on breaking down silos and working together for greater impact. Estefany Umbach from DAY ONE Early Learning Community shared family engagement strategies, while Dr. Anju J Rupchandani, Executive Director of Zone 126, delivered the keynote address on how collaborative out-of-school time programs can pave the way for youth success.

Afternoon sessions focused on practical tools for sustainability and growth. James Watson, co-founder of the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet, presented on cost model implementation and how organizations can use data for present and future planning. Executive Director Jill Gomez closed the formal programming with a session on cultivating sustainability in uncertain times, a timely topic as organizations navigate ongoing funding challenges.

OST Summit attendees participating in a group picture during lunch.

Participants represented diverse sectors including youth development, financial services, government, and education. Organizations such as Ampact, Boys & Girls Club of Poughkeepsie, Charlia Frank Inc., Community Matters 2, The Art Effect, and Poughkeepsie City School District's Community Schools were among those in attendance. Heritage Financial Credit Union sponsored the summit, demonstrating the private sector's commitment to supporting youth programs in the community.

Following the formal sessions, attendees continued networking over cocktails and conversation at Goodnight Kenny, extending the day's collaborative spirit into the evening. The feedback from participants reflected the summit's success in building connections and inspiring action. As one attendee noted, the event was "a groundbreaking" gathering that left them "truly inspired and looking forward to collaborating with everyone."

The OST Summit represents another milestone in the Children's Cabinet's effort to strengthen Poughkeepsie's cradle-to-career ecosystem by ensuring coordination and quality across the out-of-school time continuum.