Speaker Heastie Visits Dutchess Community College with Assemblymember Barrett on Annual Statewide Tour

Speaker Heastie Visits Dutchess Community College with Assemblymember Barrett on Annual Statewide Tour

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Didi Barrett today visited Dutchess Community College (DCC) to learn about the achievements the college has made in reducing housing and food insecurity for students.

"I was proud to see that DCC goes above and beyond to ensure that no student, especially those with families, goes without the support they need to succeed in and outside of the classroom," said Speaker Heastie. "The prolonged commitment Assemblymember Barrett has shown to DCC reduce many of the barriers students face when it comes to some of their most essential needs, such as access to healthy foods, personal care items, and safe, reliable housing."

"It was an honor to join Speaker Heastie today to see the important work DCC continues to do for the student community through the DCC CARES program," said Assemblymember Barrett. "Investing in DCC is an investment in the future of Hudson Valley communities, and I will remain committed to supporting the services that DCC provides to students so that they can focus on accomplishing their goals and becoming the leaders of tomorrow."

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Barrett joined Dr. Peter Jordan, DCC president; Rebecca Edwards, Poughkeepsie town supervisor; Dan Aymar-Blair, Dutchess County comptroller; Michael Dupree, DCC Board of Trustees member; and Renee Fillette, Dutchess Outreach executive director, to tour the school's on-campus dorms. They also stopped by the food pantry that provides students with nutritious food and other personal care items.

In the past, Assemblymember Barrett has secured funding in the budget for the DCC CARES program, which provides emergency assistance to students and keeps the doors open to the food pantry. Last legislative session, Assemblymember Barrett also passed legislation that allows DCC the option to refinance the loan on their dorms with Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to ensure DCC can continue to offer affordable, on-campus living options to students.