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.

Search for Services

Who

Who are you seeking services for?

What

What type of services are you looking for?

Where

Where are you seeking services?

Who

What

Where

ThinkDIFFERENTLY EVENTS

Thursday, December 5, 2024

8th Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Conference

“Disability Etiquette”

Communicating and interacting in a respectful way with and about people with disabilities

 

Click here for PDF version

See more details.

Community Calendar ( List View )

  • Nutcracker: A Sensory-Sensitive Performance December 13, 2024  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Bardavon, 35 Market St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA

    Arts Mid-Hudson | ThinkDIFFERENTLY | Dutchess Tourism


    Come join us for a lights up, sound down, 1 hour performance of this holiday classic performed by New Paltz Ballet Theatre!

    Doors open at 5pm - Food & drink not allowed in theater

    RSVP required at dutchessny.gov/nutcracker by DECEMBER 9TH


    Questions?  Concerns?  Contact Mara Santiago: xsantiago@dutchessny.gov | (845) 486-3568


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

    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

December 2024

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1
2
3
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop
4
5
  • 8th Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Conference
  • Self-Directed Services
6
  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
7
  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
8
  • In Flight 18th Annual Holiday Formal
9
10
11
12
13
  • Nutcracker: A Sensory-Sensitive Performance
14
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
15
16
17
18
  • SSI & SSDI While Working Virtual Workshop
19
20
21
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
22
23
24
  • Applying for Social Security Disability Programs Workshop
25
26
27
28
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
29
30
31

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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 ]

View All Inspired Thinkers

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. 

View All Inspired Thinkers