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

Thursday, June 29, 2023

3rd Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness and Field Day

We’re very excited to announce our 3rd Annual Fitness and Field Day!  Come join us for a day filled with fun!!

RSVP by Monday, June 19th

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Questions?  Contact Mara at:

(845) 486-3568

or

xsantiago@dutchessny.gov

See more details.

Community Calendar ( List View )

  • Staff Assistant Experience 2023 - Session 1 June 25, 2023 22 Camp Ramapo Rd, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, USA

    Ramapo for Children


    Session 1: June 25th-July 14th

    The Staff Assistant Experience (SAE) is a residential transition-to-independence program that offers summer and year-round experiences for young adults with learning differences, ADHD, and/or autism.  The program offers opportunities to practice vocational and life skills in a communal setting that is inclusive of typically developing coworkers and peer role models.

    Multiple sessions and full summer enrollment available


    $5,500 per session
    For more information:
    (845) 687-3641
    akrause@ramapoforchildren.org
    www.ramapoforchildren.org/sae

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

    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

June 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Special Needs - TOPSoccer
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  • Special Needs - TOPSoccer
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  • Taconic Resources for Independence- SSI & SSDI While Working Virtual Workshop
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  • Staff Assistant Experience 2023 - Session 1
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  • 2nd Annual TRI Inclusion Festival 2023
  • 3rd Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness & Field Day
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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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