Pattern’s 50th Anniversary
Pattern for Progress Announces 50th Anniversary Campaign and Initiatives
“Pattern for the Future” Aims to Raise $1 million – Donate Today!
NEWBURGH, NY – Thursday, November 6, 2014 – Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress today announced an overall plan for the 50th anniversary of the regional research and policy organization. The anniversary will be celebrated throughout the next year.
Plans include “Pattern for the Future,” a campaign to raise $1,000,000 to support a multi-year research agenda on three fronts — revitalization of the Hudson Valley’s urban areas, innovations in the public education system and Pattern’s ongoing regional solutions agenda – which includes work in infrastructure, housing and community development.
As part of the 50th anniversary initiative, Pattern President Jonathan Drapkin announced that the organization has already met a substantial portion of its million-dollar goal. A grant from the Ford Foundation will support urban revitalization in a project called the Hudson Valley Urban Action Agenda, Drapkin said. The $400,000 grant comes to Pattern through the Regional Plan Association (RPA) which is now working on its 4th Regional Plan for New York City and surrounding regions. The core of Pattern’s work will focus on attracting and retaining young people to urban areas throughout the valley by building on existing efforts as well as helping to create new ways to reach revitalization goals. Representatives from 20 of those urban centers convened with the Pattern research and planning team today to begin work on the Urban Action Agenda.
The 50th anniversary announcement was made at Pattern’s annual awards reception in New Windsor with some 450 people in attendance.
“We’re thrilled to get off to such a strong start on our anniversary campaign and initiatives,” said Pattern President Jonathan Drapkin. Drapkin also announced that TD Bank Vice President John Rath has been named chairman of the campaign and that development consultant April Gozza will lead the campaign outreach effort.
Pattern for Progress was founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders at a time of intensive debate about the future of the Hudson Valley. Pattern’s mission then as it is now is to seek balanced and sustainable solutions to enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley.
“The 50th Anniversary marks a pivotal moment in Pattern’s history and provides an opportunity to rally around the need to find ways to support the future of the region,” said Gozza.
Rath said the 50th Anniversary of Pattern provides a time to reflect on the work that’s been done and the work that lies ahead.
“As we approach the 50th anniversary of Pattern for Progress, I think back to the vision and purpose the founders had in forming a regional organization focused on critical issues impacting the Hudson Valley,” he said. “Then and now, Pattern exists to help preserve the beauty, vitality and quality of life we all enjoy in the Hudson Valley by providing an independent, honest voice on tough issues many can’t or won’t undertake. I am honored to chair the anniversary campaign as we continue to fulfill this mission.”