ThinkDIFFERENTLY is a call to action, established in 2015 by former County Executive Marc Molinaro, to create a supportive and welcoming environment for those living with special needs.   We have been inspired by the community response! This website is designed to be a starting point to find the services and connections you and your family need.

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ThinkDIFFERENTLY EVENTS

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 & Thursday, March 14, 2024

Think Ahead Information Session for Prospective Students and Families

Click the link in the yellow banner at the top of the page or below for more details!

Think Ahead | Dutchess Community College

 

PDF Version of Flyer

See more details.

Community Calendar ( List View )

  • Dutchess County Earth Day Event April 20, 2024  10:00 am - 1:30 pm 50 Vassar Farm Ln, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA

    Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste | The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns


    An Event for the whole family!

    • Education
    • Activities
    • Gardening
    • Ecosystems
    • Composting

    For more information and a list of all participating organizations, visit: dutchessny.gov/solidwaste

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    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

April 2024

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Celebrating Autism Through Art - Putnam County
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  • Environmental Modification & Adaptive Tech
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  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
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  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
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  • DCC Career Fair
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
  • 3rd Annual Dutchess County YOUR Health Fair
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
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  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
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  • Taconic Resources for Independence- SSI & SSDI While Working Virtual Workshop
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  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
  • Dutchess County Earth Day Event
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  • Beacon CSD Community Resource Fair
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  • Psychological First Aid Training
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  • ADS Walk for Autism
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
  • PK 5K: 5K Run/Walk to Support Wellness
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ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments

Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Flourishing Farmers 4H event held 4/2/2023

“Thank you both for such a wonderful event today.  I love that you have made it possible for children of [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visits Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC

Dana Hopkins and Mara Santiago of Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visited Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC to learn more about their [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Spectrum News: Differently abled people find support with ThinkDIFFERENTLY

In December, Spectrum News interviewed Dana Hopkins, All Abilities Program Director for Dutchess County at the 6th Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Conference held at the [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Eagle Scout Project

Ryan Lugo, a John Jay High School student, recently completed his Eagle scout project! Ryan planted a garden and built [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

100 Cups of Coffee

Chief of Police, Thomas Pape attended Dutchess County’s 100 Cups of Coffee at Taconic Resources for Independence and was inspired [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Verplanck Garden Club

Verplanck Garden Club at Stony Kill Farm’s Environmental and Education Center in Wappingers Falls, NY have been maintaining the Special [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dr.  Joseph Bonanno receives award.

Dr Joseph Bonanno the Medical Director for both OPWDD Taconic Region and Arc of Dutchess was honored for his outstanding [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Coach Vincent and Jonathan “Superman” Brunot

Coach Vincent Del-Cid  is a CPA and has previously worked for JP Morgan.  Prior to meeting Jonathan “Superman” Brunot, he had [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Youth Soft Skills Empowerment & Hudson Cadillac

Emanuel Cordero, a vocational coordinator from  Youth Soft Skills Empowerment (YSSE) (left) met with Mike Mullaney, Dealer Principal (right) from [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Carnival Lion for the 2017 ThinkDIFFERENTLY Picnic

Elanor DeMan, a Roosevelt High School student and her father, Jayson DeMan created this fantastic ‘Carnival Lion’ as a bean [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Red Hook Library Creates “All Abilities Program Series”

Red Hook Public Library has created an All Abilities Program Series for families with special needs to gather and enjoy. The [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Universal Park Equipment

Congratulations to Sidney Scoralick, James Ryan and Ulises Olmedo. Special thanks to  their teacher Kimberly Sweck, Arlington High School, Teacher-Engineering and Cameron Tuller, a junior at the time, who helped  the team with the physical construction of the project. 

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