As an ever growing, ever evolving organization, there is typically a stand out event, program or project that defines the year at Safe Harbors. This year, that stand out was the activation of Safe Harbors Green.
Though it officially opened in 2017, over the past year, the Green has come alive! Alive with spontaneous community vigils; concerts, Salsa and dance. It has been host to Zip Zap Circus, and had community members soaring over its gardens on a flying trapeze. Tito Puente, Jr. brought his famous Latin sounds to the park for hundreds of dancing fans. The City of Newburgh presented its summer film series on its lawn; we honored the Queen of Soul with a tribute concert in memory of Aretha Franklin; and local artist Judy Thomas was inspired to create a site specific work which was installed on the Green for the Newburgh Open Studio Tour. There are benches which invite neighbors to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the space, the ever changing colors in the gardens and the monarch butterflies descending en masse in late August.
Winter is upon us, so the park will go quiet for a while, but in the spring, watch for the buds and the greening grass; rest on a sun-warmed bench; or bring a chair to enjoy a concert, dance performance or an event the community will dream up that we haven’t even thought of yet!
In the pages of this newsletter, you will see the many ways Safe Harbors is transforming lives and building community through housing and the arts. We thank you for your support and hope to see you around the building soon!