Securing The Future of Hudson Valley Seniors: Vassar-Warner Home Appoints New Leadership, Works to Gather Necessary Funding

Earlier this month, Vassar-Warner Home, Dutchess County’s only nonprofit senior living facility, was forced to begin efforts to shutter its doors and relocate its residents after 153 years of diligently serving hundreds of senior citizens in the greater Hudson Valley. With just two residents remaining in the Home, a grassroots movement, Save Vassar-Warner, has gained momentum in the community, resulting in leadership changes and a final bid to secure the funding needed to keep the Home operational.

As of October 17, Ellen Smyth, president of Vassar-Warner Home’s board of trustees, resigned from her position and Rich Schuster, who filled one of the 18 vacancies on the board, was subsequently elected president. Schuster, whose mother is one of the two remaining residents, is spearheading the Save Vassar-Warner movement, representing the Home’s residents and their families, as well as its employees. He is actively working to secure the funding needed to meet the unprecedented and critical senior housing and services needs the Home has faithfully provided for more than a century. In doing so, Schuster continues to have promising discussions with Will Truitt, the chair of the Dutchess County Legislature, and Sue Serino, Dutchess County Executive, among others.

“My mother, Dorothy, now 86 years of age, has called Vassar-Warner Home her home for the last 19 years," said Schuster. "After a lifetime of commitment from her, I feel that it is my duty to save this establishment not only for her but for the hundreds of seniors that have come through the doors of the Home over the last 153 years. I am confident that, with the community's help, we can secure a bright future for this pillar of the Hudson Valley."

As stipulated by the County, Vassar-Warner Home has enacted leadership changes and is actively working to obtain stopgap funding, enabling the board of trustees to continue discussions with local and regional leadership. With hopes of providing another 153 years of unparalleled service to the Hudson Valley at large, Vassar-Warner Home is on a mission to reopen its doors.

“Rich brings substantial business acumen to our Board of Trustees and continues to demonstrate impeccable leadership on behalf of Vassar-Warner Home’s extended family,” said Wayne Quint, president, Vassar-Warner Home Foundation. “We are confident that, as president of the board, Rich will secure a bright future that is reflective of the Home’s long and storied history.”

To learn more about the Save Vassar-Warner movement, or to contribute to the future of the Home, visit www.savevassarwarner.com or join the group on Facebook at @Save Vassar-Warner. Those interested may also send a note to savevassarwarner@gmail.com to join the cause or connect directly with leadership.