MONTGOMERY, NY (August 29, 2025) – The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan (CFOS) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Make A Difference Grants, which this year focused on supporting arts and humanities programming for disadvantaged children and older adults in Orange, Sullivan, and Rockland counties.

Out of 17 applicants, seven organizations were awarded funding for innovative programs that will bring the arts to underserved communities:

This year’s Orange County recipients are:

• Wallkill River Center for the Arts – Summer Art Programs for Kids & Teens, a six-week program that transforms the Center’s galleries into a vibrant creative space for youth from low-income communities who might not otherwise have access to summer arts programming. Participants explore a variety of art forms, including jewelry making, animation, art journaling, printmaking, and sculpture.
  
  
• Land to Learn – Dig In Newburgh: Educational Gardens that Nourish & Inspire, a garden-based education program dedicated to food justice and community wellness. Serving over 3,000 K–3 students annually, including four schools in Newburgh, the program blends gardening, cooking, environmental science, cultural expression, and art. Activities include planting, harvesting, cooking, artmaking, storytelling, and journaling, fostering creativity, curiosity, and cultural connection during the school year and summer.

This year’s Sullivan County recipients are:

• STEAM Fund (Siegel Trust Enriching Arts & Music) – WCM Artist Workshop and Performance, a pilot program in partnership with Weekend of Chamber Music that brings professional chamber musicians to disadvantaged children in Sullivan County. The initiative combines interactive workshops exploring rhythm, melody, improvisation, and cultural context with live performances, integrating learning before and after the program to encourage creativity and healing through music.
  
  
• Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre – Children’s Creative and Educational Programs, immersive hands-on performing and visual arts sessions for disadvantaged youth. Activities include dance, music, storytelling, sensory-friendly film screenings, themed workshops, and community events like Breakfast with Santa. Designed for accessibility, HPAC offers sliding scale fees, and family-friendly scheduling to reach those with the greatest need.

This year’s Rockland County recipients are:

• Strawtown Studio – InHabit Art: A Nature-Discovery Art Program, a nature-connected art program for underserved youth ages 7–12 in Haverstraw. Activities such as painting with natural pigments, printmaking with river clay, and drawing with handmade charcoal foster creativity, environmental stewardship, and community connection, aligning with NYS visual arts learning standards.
  
  
• Phoenix Theatre Ensemble – Rockland County EVOLVE Senior Program, a six-week artist-led program that engages older adults in storytelling, creative writing, movement, and performance. Culminating in a public theatrical presentation, the program combats isolation by recognizing participants as artists, celebrating their creativity, and honoring their life stories.
  
  
• Rockland Conservatory of Music – Access to Music for Youth with Disabilities and Creative Aging for Older Adults, a dual-purpose initiative. The Chorus for Teens with Special Needs, a 35-week music therapy program in partnership with Music for Life Creative Arts Therapy, supports social, emotional, and cognitive development through music. The Creative Aging Programs include the Main Street Chorus, a free 35-week choral program for older adults, and the Songwriting Workshop for Life-Long Learners, a 5-week virtual course that culminates in a showcase of original compositions.

“The Make A Difference Fund was created to inspire and support programs that bring meaningful change to our communities,” said Elizabeth Rowley, CFOS President & CEO. “This year’s grantees are doing just that — using the arts and humanities as a bridge to connection, healing, and opportunity.”