Vassar College Decides Not to Participate in Local United Way; College Develops Its Own “Community Works” Campaign

Vassar College will not participate in this year's local United Way campaign because the United Way of Dutchess County has chosen to accept the decision of the Boy Scouts of America, a member agency, to retain its legal right to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation against the providers of services, both staff and volunteers. Instead, the college has developed its own "Community Works" fundraising campaign for its employees and students, aimed at continuing and strengthening the institution's philanthropic support of the local area. The "Community Works" goal has been set at $80,000, a record amount for Vassar's on-campus campaign. One-hundred percent of funds collected will go to the recipient organizations and agencies.

"In light of Vassar's strong non-discrimination policy, it would be inconsistent, and wrong, for the college to participate as an institution in the upcoming United Way campaign," said Vassar president Frances D. Fergusson. "We view our decision as an affirmation of the human dignity we afford to everyone on our campus."

"The decision to withdraw from the United Way was made after much consideration," said Mark Cladis, professor of religion and chair of the new Vassar campaign. The "Community Works" campaign is about working as a community, for community. We have tailored a philanthropic campaign that is appropriate for our institution, one that seeks to address the vast, ongoing needs of the local community and beyond." Cladis worked with a representative group from the Vassar community, including faculty, staff, administrators, and students, to develop the campaign and select this year's recipients. All of these organizations and agencies have confirmed their commitment to non-discrimination policies consistent with Vassar's in regard to the recipients and the providers of services.

The organizations and agencies that will receive funding through the "Community Works" campaign are:

• DUTCHESS OUTREACH is a significant part of the local answer to the problem of hunger in Dutchess County. They operate the Lunch Box, a soup kitchen that serves up to 300 hot meals a day. Dutchess Outreach also provides emergency food and medicine to families.
• NEW HORIZONS RESOURCES serves people with developmental disabilities. They operate 17 group homes and provide services to children with disabilities. All their work, which has earned them a reputation for innovation and commitment, aims to make people with developmental disabilities more a part of the everyday life of our community.
• CHILDREN'S MEDIA PROJECT, located on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, focuses on self-exploration as the route to community commitment. Their pioneering methods combine the powers of art and technology in working with children of all ages, social histories, and ethnic backgrounds. Some programs: "Talking Walls" for at-risk youth; "Smokescreens," an anti-tobacco use program for fifth to eighth graders; and "Video Diary for Girls," personal filmmaking for young women.
• BATTERED WOMEN'S SERVICES of the YWCA of Dutchess County is, with their 24-hour-a-day hotline, a first line of help for women who are physically or psychologically abused by their partners. They provide a safe haven for women, a place where abuse is understood and where individual and group counseling, as well as advice in court, are offered.
• SEPTEMBER 11th FUND was established by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust. Our contribution will be used to help respond to the immediate and longer-term needs of the victims, their families, and communities affected by the events. United Way of New York City and the New York Community * Trust are underwriting all administrative costs. Please note that the United Way of New York City subscribes to a non-discriminatory policy in line with Vassar's.
• AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, DUTCHESS COUNTY unit is part of a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Headquartered in Poughkeepsie, the society's goal is to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from cancer through the support of research, education, advocacy, and community programs and services.
• AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH (amfAR), an international organization based in New York City, pursues programs in basic research, clinical research and information, public and professional education, public policy, prevention science, and global initiatives. The organization's public and professional education program seeks to keep people with HIV/AIDS and their health care providers informed about advances in research.
• GAY, LESBIAN, AND STRAIGHT EDUCATION NETWORK (GLSEN), a national organization based in Washington, DC, fights anti-gay bias in kindergarten through 12th grade. GLSEN works to insure that all members of every school community are respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Among the organization's local efforts are programs to educate the educators, help students fight for their rights, and shape public opinion.
• NEW HOPE COMMUNITY CENTER is a creation of the City of Poughkeepsie Housing Authority. They operate a vibrant recreation center with a full gym on Smith Street and an after school mentoring/homework program at the Thurgood Marshall Housing on Delafield Street. New Hope also has an adult education center geared toward high school equivalency degrees and job training. Every summer they also operate an enrichment camp for neighborhood children between the ages of 7 and 12.
• HUDSON RIVER HOUSING operates Hillcrest House, an overnight shelter for people who are homeless in the Dutchess County area. HRH also provides long-term temporary housing for families, and they encourage first-time home ownership through their course on the basics of buying and owning a home. This forward-looking agency leads an innovative collaboration of public and private partners in the revitalization of Garden Street and other properties in Poughkeepsie.

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Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2001.