Dec. 12, 2015
By Pauline Liu
Shark Tan’s Daymond John at the Pattern for Progress 50th anniversary celebration.
NEWBURGH – Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress marked the end of its first half-century with a party Thursday and the beginning of the next by raising nearly $1 million for new projects.
Along the way, the Newburgh-based think tank has become an influential player in regional governmental policy.
Launched in 1965 with 40 members, mostly from the world of business, the not-for-profit has grown to about 300 members.
About 600 movers and shakers from across the region joined Pattern’s celebration at Anthony’s Pier 9 Thursday. The bash included stilt walkers, a magician, live musical performances, craft beer tasting and special guest Daymond John, who stars on the hit TV show, “Shark Tank,” and lives in Pleasant Valley in Dutchess County.
“We’re always putting together serious reports about issues and we decided to have a little fun,” said Jonathan Drapin, who has served as Pattern president and CEO for nine years.
Among some of the organization’s most far-reaching reports was a 1980 study on affordable housing which helped to pave the way for developments in Newburgh, Kingston and South Fallsburg. There was also a 2009 “discussion brief” which advocated against Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to impose a tax in the Hudson Valley.
Stilt walkers and other performers entertained at the celebration.
The organization’s Pattern Fellows program, now entering its 10th year, is highly regarded.
“Pattern wanted to put together business leaders and grow their leadership skills,” said Tom Murphy, vice president/government banking for M & T Banks. He was one of the first of the program’s alumni, now numbering 180 strong. “The contacts that I’ve made were unbelievable both professionally and personally,” he said.
Looking ahead, Pattern is wrapping up a fund drive of $1 million. The money will underwrite two new projects over the next three years.
The first is what Pattern calls an “Urban Action Agenda,” to help revitalize the region’s cities and other urban areas. The second project is “to create a center to test out new ideas in education.”
The Ford Foundation has already provided a $400,000 grant and the rest is being raised through donations, according to Barbara Gref, Pattern vice president of education research.
“We are now within just a few thousand dollars of the $1 million mark and hope to close that gap in year-end giving,” said Gref.
