Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet Visits Harlem Children's Zone to Learn from Community Pride Program

June 16, 2025 - A delegation from the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet traveled to Harlem on June 14th to visit the Harlem Children's Zone's Community Pride program, exploring grassroots community engagement strategies that could strengthen Poughkeepsie's own approach to building neighborhood connections and resident empowerment. The learning visit brought together community engagement leaders from across sectors, including education, housing, and family services, reflecting the collaborative spirit central to the Cabinet's cradle-to-career work.

The delegation from the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet outside of Harlem Children's Zone after visiting their Community Pride program

Community Pride serves as HCZ's robust community organizing hub and storefront office in Central Harlem, investing in both the people and spaces of the neighborhood. At its core, the program functions as a connector and community builder, taking a grassroots, culturally-responsive approach to establishing strategic partnerships, training community advocates, and serving as a liaison between HCZ and residents. Community Pride's mission centers on ensuring every Central Harlem resident has countless reasons to take pride in their vibrant community, its culture, and its history.

The Poughkeepsie delegation observed Community Pride's three-pronged approach in action. The program educates community members about HCZ services and connects families to appropriate support, develops strategic cross-community partnerships to meet residents' greatest needs, and empowers individuals through leadership development opportunities and community organizing training. Community Pride's work spans community outreach through door-to-door engagement, community organizing that encourages residents to become advocates for change, neighborhood revitalization projects that bring beauty block-by-block, and leadership development that helps residents create lasting institutions within their communities.

The visit provided valuable insights as the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet continues building its own community engagement infrastructure, particularly through initiatives like the Choice Neighborhoods Community Ambassador program. The delegation learned how Community Pride staff stay connected to residents through regular presence at local stakeholder meetings, maintain updated knowledge of benefits and social programs, and function as a trusted hub where community members can access resources, guidance, and partnership opportunities. These strategies offer important lessons for Poughkeepsie's ongoing work to ensure authentic resident voice and leadership remain central to neighborhood transformation efforts.

The Community Pride visit represents the latest chapter in the Cabinet's deepening partnership with Harlem Children's Zone and the William Julius Wilson Institute. Over the past year, HCZ has provided ongoing technical assistance to Poughkeepsie, welcomed multiple delegations to Harlem for learning visits, and supported the development of the Cabinet's strategic plan. From early childhood providers visiting Baby College to community engagement leaders exploring Community Pride's grassroots organizing model, these exchanges continue to inform and strengthen Poughkeepsie's approach to building coordinated systems of support for children, youth, and families across the cradle-to-career continuum.