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
Marietta Marquart President
Alisa Wright, Vice President, Secretary
Lynn Krapf, Treasurer
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
Marietta Marquart, President
Alisa Wright, Vice President & Secretary
Lynn Krapf, Treasurer
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.
Youth Board
Thank you to all the students who have served as president over the Hudson Community First Youth Board!
2018-2019 Lauren Niewolak & Maggie Lehman
2019-2020 Sadie Mrakuzic
2020-2021 Sydney Jones
2021-2022 Emi Uijtewaal
2022-2023 Easton Rowell
2023-2024 Sophie Uijtewaal
2024-2025 Alaina Walker
2025-2026 Addie Maxwell
Youth Board
Thank you to all the students who have served as president over the Hudson Community First Youth Board!
2018-2019 Lauren Niewolak & Maggie Lehman
2019-2020 Sadie Mrakuzic
2020-2021 Sydney Jones
2021-2022 Emi Uijtewaal
2022-2023 Easton Rowell
2023-2024 Sophie Uijtewaal
2024-2025 Alaina Walker
2025-2026 Addie Maxwell
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.
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.
Connect with us and stay up-to-date!
Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. Hudson Community First
Website by Pixel Drift Marketing