
Celebrating Creative Talent: Announcing The Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship
We are thrilled to announce the recipient of the inaugural Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship. This fellowship, a joint initiative by The Spark of Hudson Foundation and CREATE Council on the Arts, is a testament to the power of collaboration in nurturing local talent and inspiring artistic innovation.

Cooling Down Hudson: The Free Air Conditioning Program
The Spark of Hudson, in partnership with The Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood and The Eutopia Foundation, is proud to announce the continuation of a valuable community program - the Free Air Conditioning Program. Now in its third year, this program has been a lifeline for residents of the City of Hudson during the scorching summer months.

Welcoming Caitie Hilverman as Executive Director
The Spark of Hudson is delighted to introduce our new Executive Director, Caitie Hilverman. Her unique blend of local roots, community leadership, academic background, and startup experience makes her the perfect match for our mission.

HudsonSTEP - Empowering Future Trades Professionals
The Spark of Hudson, in partnership with the Eutopia Foundation, is thrilled to announce the launch of a transformative initiative - HudsonSTEP (Hudson Skilled Trades Education Program). This groundbreaking program is made possible through a collaboration between Columbia-Greene Community College and Build Hudson.

Honoring Alan Skerrett: The Spark's Contribution to the Alan Skerrett Scholarship Fund
The Spark of Hudson is proud to announce its contribution of $10,000 to the Alan Skerrett Scholarship fund at Columbia Greene Community College. This scholarship is dedicated to supporting a student majoring in psychology or a related field of study, in remembrance of the late Alan Skerrett, an esteemed mental health professional and community activist. With this contribution, the Spark aims to honor Alan's legacy and empower future generations to pursue their passion for mental health and community service.

Columbia County Sanctuary Movement's Comida Para la Gente Program: Building a Just Food System
The Spark of Hudson is proud to highlight the incredible work of the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) and their groundbreaking food justice program, Comida Para la Gente (Food for the People). As an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering immigrant communities, CCSM has made significant strides in addressing food insecurity and creating a more just food system in Columbia County. This food justice program originated from mutual aid initiatives at the West Taghkanic Diner and Wally Farms, and it was nested within CCSM with a substantial financial commitment from the Eutopia Foundation. This program recently received the prestigious 2023 Community Food Funders Champions Award.
Exploring the Power of ChatGPT: A Round-Up of Spark's Transformative Workshops
In recent weeks, the Spark of Hudson has been buzzing with a series of captivating workshops delving into the realm of ChatGPT. Led by Caitie Hilverman, a long-time local resident with a PhD in cognitive psychology and a career in data science, these workshops have provided attendees with valuable insights into the potential of language models and their ethical application. In this post, we'll take a look back at the three dynamic events that have taken place so far, as well as an upcoming release that promises to revolutionize personal productivity.

Hudson In Concert : A Community Celebration
Join us for a community celebration, "Hudson in Concert," sponsored by The Spark of Hudson.

Monarda Community Care: Expanded Summer Hours and New Programming
The Spark of Hudson and Eutopia Foundation are thrilled to announce their ongoing support of Monarda Community Care for the 2023 season. The monthly wellness clinic at the Hudson Area Library will continue to offer its valuable services, along with an exciting addition: a new youth workshop called "Plant Defenders." Furthermore, Monarda has expanded its reach by launching an acupuncture clinic in the Columbia County Jail.

Introducing Live Bus Tracking for a Better Riding Experience in Hudson and Greenport
The Spark of Hudson is excited to announce a new feature that enhances the convenience and reliability of public transportation for residents in Hudson and Greenport. Riders on the popular Shopping Shuttle, operated by ProPark, can now access live updates of the bus location and arrival times.

Recap of the Herb Alley Walk with Lauren Giambrone
On a lovely Friday afternoon, community members gathered at The Spark of Hudson office to participate in an Alley Walk, searching for medicinal native herbs led by local community herbalist Lauren Giambrone of Good Fight Herb Co.
Revitalizing Charles Williams Park: Starr Whitehouse Chosen for Redevelopment Project in Hudson
We're thrilled to provide an exciting update on the progress of the Charles Williams Park renovation project, a collaborative endeavor between The Spark of Hudson/Eutopia Foundation and the City of Hudson. Our shared objective is to revitalize and enhance Charles Williams Park for the benefit and enjoyment of the Hudson community.







