Poughkeepsie - Earlier today, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Mid-Hudson) hosted the first Hudson Valley Girls Summit. This summit brought together 30 participants from over 20 organizations and programs that advocate on behalf of girls in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

“I have been a lifetime advocate for empowering women and girls,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “Because of this advocacy, a number of people have reached out over the last year to voice their concerns about issues facing girls around the region. This summit was a first step to bring together stakeholders to learn what programs and services are available to girls in the region, and to start identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for moving ahead.”

“Family Services was honored to be part of such a great dialogue with so many wonderful organizations from our community,” said Katherine Raynor, Program Coordinator of Domestic Violence Services of Dutchess County. “We're really hoping that, moving forward, we can increase collaboration to improve services and empower girls.”

Organizations from both the urban and rural parts of four Mid-Hudson counties -- Dutchess, Columbia, Ulster and Orange – participated in the meeting that covered a range of topics from media pressures on girls to transportation challenges in the region. Groups serving Hudson Valley river cities, including Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Newburgh, and Kingston, found they faced similar challenges. This forum gave them the valuable opportunity to exchange resources and information during the two hour meeting at the historic Cornell Boathouse at Marist College in the town of Poughkeepsie.

“This was a great first step toward a meaningful collaboration,” said Assemblymember Barrett. “Everyone who attended today learned something new and was energized by the passionate advocacy in the room. I look forward to continuing this important discussion and working together to support the girls of the region.”