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 disabilities.   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

Happy Holidays from ThinkDIFFERENTLY!

We wish everyone a wonderful season with those you love and a very Happy New Year!!

Stay tuned for more ThinkDIFFERENTLY events in 2025!!

 

We’ll see you next year!

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Community Calendar ( List View )

  • Supporting People With I/DD in Developing Healthy Relationships February 11, 2025  10:00 am - 4:00 pm Zoom

    YAI (Young Adult Institute)

    Supporting People With I/DD in Developing Healthy Relationships: Friendship, Dating, and Intimacy

    5social work continuing education credits available.
    This training will be heldvirtually via Zoom.

    Empower the people yousupport to build meaningful social connections, from friendships to intimaterelationships. Learn how to teach soft skills for friendship, build self-esteemand positive body image, develop dating skills, and navigate rejection. Thistraining addresses a vital need for social inclusion, choice, and personalconnection. 

    Cost: $125


    For more info and to register: Click here or visit www.yai.org

    -----------------------------------------------

    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

February 2025

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
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4
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop
5
  • Travel Training: Supporting People With I/DD in Traveling Independently
  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
  • Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification Webinar
  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
6
7
8
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
9
10
11
  • Supporting People With I/DD in Developing Healthy Relationships
12
  • Travel Training: Supporting People With I/DD in Traveling Independently
  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
  • Self Advocacy Group Informational Meeting
  • Zoom Training: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner
13
14
  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
15
  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
16
  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • Special Interest Mini Camp- Pokemon at Sensory Space Pk
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  • SSI & SSDI While Working Virtual Workshop
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  • Cornell Cooperative Extension's Parenting Skills
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
23
  • Marist Best Buddies Valentine's Day theme event
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25
  • Unlocking Opportunities: Employment, Job Training, and Adult Career & Continuing Education Services- Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES VR) Services
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop
  • Unlocking Opportunities: Employment, Job Training, and Adult Career & Continuing Education Services- Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) Services
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  • Taconic Innovations Open House
  • Ramapo CONNECT!

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments

Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dutchess County Tourism and Wheel the World Videos of Accessibility

Dutchess County Tourism is excited to share with you the two industry and consumer videos produced in partnership with Wheel [ …Read More ]

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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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