About Us
We believe that the health and wellness of our community is directly dependent on developing opportunities, skills, relationships and values that young people need to be healthy, caring and responsible. Hudson Community First is comprised of a Youth Board, a Volunteer Board, and Advisory Board and the Executive Board.
Executive Board
Alisa Wright, President
Marietta Marquart, Vice President
Jim Yurak, Treasurer
Tim Clepper, Secretary
Lynn Krapf, Member
Jack Lieske, Emeritus Member
About Us
We believe that the health and wellness of our community is directly dependent on developing opportunities, skills, relationships and values that young people need to be healthy, caring and responsible. Hudson Community First is comprised of a Youth Board, a Volunteer Board, and Advisory Board and the Executive Board.
Executive Board
Alisa Wright, President
Marietta Marquart, Vice President
Jim Yurak, Treasurer
Tim Clepper, Secretary
Lynn Krapf, Member
Jack Lieske, Emeritus Member
Our History
Hudson Community First was first conceived by the Hudson City School District in 1995.
The school administrators were observing a pattern of negative student behaviors involving drugs and alcohol. School leaders strove to combat the bad decisions being made by youth and enlisted the business community and organizational leaders to discuss what our community could do to support youth. The district's drug prevention officer researched the country for programs that addressed the issues the district was facing and what he found was the Search Institute in Minnesota.
There, educators had researched and developed 40 Developmental Assets that kids needed to possess in order to grow up healthy and happy and to thrive. Assets are skills, opportunities and self-perceptions that kids need to have. Research shows if kids have 31 of these assets, their outcome is positive and they thrive as young adults and make better life decisions.
Hudson Community First was formed and all staff was trained on the importance of the 40 Developmental Assets. In 2004, Hudson Community First was reignited as a community organization and with a grant from Hudson Community Foundation, co-directors Laura Gasbarro and Cheryl Rauch were hired.
Currently, Laura Jones and Jennifer Fisher serve as co-directors of this now vibrant community effort that promotes positive youth development. Today, working with 3 boards with over 250 members, Community First programs cover a variety of topics and support Hudson youth of all ages.
Our History
Hudson Community First was first conceived by the Hudson City School District in 1995.
The school administrators were observing a pattern of negative student behaviors involving drugs and alcohol. School leaders strove to combat the bad decisions being made by youth and enlisted the business community and organizational leaders to discuss what our community could do to support youth. The district's drug prevention officer researched the country for programs that addressed the issues the district was facing and what he found was the Search Institute in Minnesota.
There, educators had researched and developed 40 Developmental Assets that kids needed to possess in order to grow up healthy and happy and to thrive. Assets are skills, opportunities and self-perceptions that kids need to have. Research shows if kids have 31 of these assets, their outcome is positive and they thrive as young adults and make better life decisions.
Hudson Community First was formed and all staff was trained on the importance of the 40 Developmental Assets. In 2004, Hudson Community First was reignited as a community organization and with a grant from Hudson Community Foundation, co-directors Laura Gasbarro and Cheryl Rauch were hired.
Currently, Laura Jones and Jennifer Fisher serve as co-directors of this now vibrant community effort that promotes positive youth development. Today, working with 3 boards with over 250 members, Community First programs cover a variety of topics and support Hudson youth of all ages.
OUR SPONSORS
Sponsorship Opportunities Available For:
Toast to Hudson
Take a Second. Make a Difference.
Holiday Gift Shoppe
Community Service Day.
If you would like to support a Hudson Community First program, please contact
Jennifer & Laura at [email protected]
Thank You Generous Donors
GOLD MEDAL
Tim and Amy Clepper
Chris and Patty Gurreri
Ron & Lydia Harrington Family Foundation
Michael and Meredith Hudec
Anthony and Barbara Johnson
Matt and Lisa Kaulig
Jason and Stephanie Kokrak
Jack and Becky Lieske
Rick and Ellen Malson
William Markwell
Mike and Marietta Marquart
Paul and Jane Martin
Tom and Gail Tobin
Steve and Kathleen Winborn
Brad and Alisa Wright
Ryan and Tracey Yerkey
Rosewood Grill
Pattern Metals
SILVER MEDAL
Dana and Laura Addis
Jeffrey and Marilyn Anzevino
John and Sara Blankenship
Joseph and Abby Boysel
Chris and Cathy Cook
Andrew and Julie Eich
Steve and Patti Engelman
Drew and Nancy Forhan
Tony and Barbara Johnson
William and Jenn Robinson
George and Leah Roth
Grant and Colleen Shepard
Guy and Mary Swank
Mike and Cara Wright
BLUE AND WHITE
Alea Barr
Bill and Nellie Booth
Steven DiMauro and Gina Esposito
John and Tesa Funyak
James Boex and
Denise Gibson
Jonathan and Jennifer Graham
William Stemple
Matt and Kelley Virgil
Casey and Amanda Weinstein
April and Tim Yanda
HUDSONITE
Renick and Megan Blosser
Jason and Michele Bogniard
Chris and Lisa Charpentier
James and Cynthia Field
Steve and Gretchen Fritsch
Mike Gower
Gerald Hajarian
Bill and Bobbi Henkel
Kris and Ann Jaenicke
John and Jennifer Kabat
Robin and Kelly Kempf
Aaron and Kelly Lear
Jeff and Janie Lehman
Frank and Cassie Perrotta
Dave and Lyn Thomas
Mike and Mikie Wesley
Bill and Jo Wooldredge
Pat and Tracy Zappone
PATRON
Accenture LLP
Philip and Angie Butto
Steve and Lisa Coates
Don and Kathy Cybulski
Jennifer Filomena
Jeanette Fulton
Martha Hills
Richard and Trudy Painting
Tim and Genell Ritley
Ed and Mary Sogan
Candace Sveda
Stephan and Judith Uijtewaal
David and Barbara Warrington
Laurel Williams
Meredith Zaffrann
SUPPORT HUDSON YOUTH
Hudson Community First provides opportunities to make our community a place where young people thrive. We cannot do this without your support! This is all made possible through grants, private donations and our Annual Fund drive. Please consider a donation that will support programming for all Hudson students.
Because of you… Hudson is a 100 Best Community for Young People!
One-Time Donation
Support our ongoing programs
Recurring Giving
Provide sustained support for our mission.
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