Job Training & Business Support

Vocational Training Enterprises

  • HRH Made

    HRH Made is a workforce training social enterprise operated in partnership with residents overcoming homelessness that offers screen printing and custom designed products.

    HRH Made operates out of the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory (PUF), the anchor project in Hudson River Housing’s work to support and champion the Middle Main Street corridor of Poughkeepsie.

    Through the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, we’re using the rich bounty of arts and food in the Hudson Valley to amplify community assets, build connections, and provide a wide variety of meaningful experiences and opportunities to all who use the space.

    The goal of HRH Made is to prepare people for future jobs, providing participants with a sense of confidence, creative expression, skill-building, job readiness, and money management skills.

    We support a rotating cohort of trainees who have experienced homelessness and barriers to employment such as housing instability, age, disability, health issues, and others.

    When you hire HRH Made, you're not just getting a great product, you're supporting an even greater mission. 100% of profits support the job training programs at Hudson River Housing.

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  • Downtown Stewardship

    Downtown Stewardship is a social enterprise and job training program focused on bringing art, beauty, and life into the Middle Main corridor in the downtown City of Poughkeepsie and surrounding areas.

    From maintaining green spaces and planting flowers, to painting murals and assisting with ad-hoc repairs, the Downtown Stewardship team is committed to improving the quality of life in the Main Street corridor through beautification projects and activation of public spaces.

    Downtown Stewardship is focused on hiring teens and young adults who have experienced housing insecurity (homelessness, eviction, multiple moves, living in subsidized housing, foster care), providing an opportunity for participants to learn community outreach and leadership skills while building pride in place.

    To hire Downtown Stewardship to help with your outdoor space or special project, email aslade@hudsonriverhousing.org or call 845-654-4087.

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Small Business Support Incubators

Open Kitchen

Open Kitchen is a culinary business incubator and a network of professionally equipped shared-use commercial kitchens rented to entrepreneurs in the Hudson Valley region who are looking for spaces to prepare their culinary creations and grow their food businesses.

Open Kitchen member spaces are available on a first come first serve basis, with priority given to those who are local/will hire locally in Dutchess County. Kitchen rates are affordable at $25/hour, and hours are flexible and available 24/7.

Current Open Kitchen sites include the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory (PUF) in the City of Poughkeepsie, and the River Valley Arts Center (RVAC) in Wappingers Falls. Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, surrounded by culinary institutions, local farms, food businesses, and diverse cultures, Open Kitchen harnesses our collective love of food to build community pride and connectedness.

PUF
Open Kitchen at the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory (PUF) is located on the first floor of the factory and offers 3,000 square feet of combined cooking, preparation, and storage space. The space is well suited for caterers, food truck operators, retail or wholesalers, cooking or nutrition instructors, food concept developers, pop-up restaurant space, and more.

Space equipment and amenities include:
Stainless steel prep tables and abundant counter space
6-burner gas range with flat top and oven
Convection oven & baking and pizza ovens
30 quart floor mixer
Dry and cold storage
Small wares such as food processor, blender, mixers, etc.
Cooking, baking, cooling, and storing equipment and tools
Separate prep, hot food, and baking spaces
Dedicated cleaning area with dishwasher
Beautiful seating area for pop-up restaurants

RVAC
Open Kitchen at the River Valley Arts Center (RVAC) is a 433 square foot space licensed for small catering, bakers, culinary classes, and more.

Space equipment and amenities include:
Commercial range with gas burners
Residential range with gas burners
Commercial & residential gas ovens
Prep tables
Commercial reach-in refrigerator
3 compartment warewashing sink
Microwave
Janitorial supplies for cleaning

Interested in joining our Open Kitchen community? Set up an appointment to visit the spaces and learn more by emailing dbelding@hudsonriverhousing.org or calling (845) 337-0263.

  • PUF Studios

    A select number of private studios are available for rent on a monthly basis for artists looking for a dedicated space to work. Each studio is located within this beautifully renovated historic building and vibrant community artists hub! Prices start at $350/month and include access to the larger printmaking studio upon approval from the studio manager.

    Printmaking Studio Rentals:

    The printmaking studio is available for rent on an hourly basis with an annual membership. The cost of an annual membership for individuals is $30/year. Studio time is:

    $5/hour for personal use
    $20/hour for studio members, arts organizations, or instructors that would like to offer classes or lessons in the space

    Click below for our new Policies and Procedures, as well as for full details on becoming a PUF Studios member.

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