Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino joined nearly 50 local volunteer organizations, employers, and community partners on Thursday to host the County’s second annual “Older Adults Skills Fair,” held this year at John Jay High School in East Fishkill. Nearly 500 seniors attended the event and had the chance to explore new ways to stay active and engaged and share their talents within their community.
“Staying active and connected is one of the most important things you can do as you age and I know our Dutchess County older adults have so much knowledge and experience to share,” said County Executive Sue Serino. “I am thrilled to bring this event back again this year and am so grateful to the Wappingers Central School District and the dedicated team at John Jay High School for hosting us. Events like this help ensure our seniors can build meaningful connections and their talents continue to strengthen our communities. I’m grateful to everyone who joined us to make this event such a success.”
Dozens of local businesses and organizations participated, including Adams Fairacre Farms, the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Abilities First, the National Parks Service, Destination Dutchess, Dutchess County Government departments, and many others representing sectors such as health and wellness, community advocacy, volunteer services, and gardening.
Gabrielle Whalen, Outreach Coach for Non-Traditional Students at Dutchess Community College, said, “We were truly honored to participate in this year’s Older Adults Skills Fair. The event was full of meaningful engagement and so many enthusiastic seniors stopped by to chat with us and learn more about what we offer. Thank you to County Executive Serino for hosting this event and for her ongoing commitment to supporting our community. It was inspiring to see the community come together, and we’re grateful to have been part of such an impactful event.”
The Older Adults Skills Fair continues to support Dutchess County’s commitment to helping older residents remain healthy, connected, and independent. Those who were unable to attend can browse the online list of participating vendors or contact the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at ofa@dutchessny.gov or 845‑486‑2555 to learn more about available programs, services, and future opportunities.
Businesses or organizations interested in joining future events can reach out to the County Executive’s Office at 845‑486‑2000 or email CountyExec@dutchessny.gov.
