Annual Impact
Report 2024

Building Resilience. Growing Leaders. Educating for a Sustainable Future.

Letter from Oded Holzinger,
Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As we reflect on 2024, I am filled with immense pride in what our organization, and our broader community, has accomplished together. This past year has been one of transformation: for our neighborhoods, our climate, and our shared future. In the face of challenges and uncertainty, we remained grounded in our mission and focused on building resilience where it’s needed most.

Our success in 2024 was rooted in a strategic commitment to climate justice—improving quality of life at the neighborhood level while responding to the pressing realities of a changing world. While few could have predicted the full scope of the change we now face, we are moving forward from a place of strength and clarity. Our commitment to the mission has never wavered.

At Groundwork Hudson Valley, we believe that meaningful, lasting change starts locally. And in 2024, that belief was brought to life across every facet of our work. Green Team youth restored parks and installed green infrastructure. Students and educators explored climate science on the Science Barge, in schoolyards, and in classrooms. Residents helped define resilience priorities in response to the growing threat of extreme weather. Each initiative was fueled by collaboration, hope, and a shared vision of healthier, more resilient communities.

This work is not easy, and progress is rarely linear. Yet time and again, we’ve seen what’s possible when people come together with courage, creativity, and care. Together, we have planted seeds in gardens, in classrooms, and in hearts that will grow into lasting impact.

This Annual Report celebrates the milestones we’ve reached, the lives we’ve touched, and the future we’re building together. More than a record of accomplishments, it is a story of resilience, partnership, and the enduring power of hope.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your continued support and belief in our work fuel our progress and inspire us to keep moving forward, with hope in our hearts and our hands in the soil.

Warmly,

Oded Holzinger

Changing places, changing lives

A Year of Impact

In 2024, Groundwork Hudson Valley expanded its impact across Yonkers and Westchester County, focusing on three core areas: Community Adaptation, Youth Leadership, and Sustainability Education.

Through community partnerships, impactful environmental projects and initiatives, and a commitment to resilience, we turned environmental challenges into opportunities to transform people, places, and possibilities.

Our Year in Numbers

FEET OF RIVERBANK CONSERVED

HOURS OF JOB TRAINING FOR YOUTH

YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS

TREES IDENTIFIED AND INVENTORIED

Community Adaptation

Creating Healthier Communities

In 2024, the Community Adaptation program helped neighborhoods adapt to extreme heat and flooding by expanding green spaces and restoring ecosystems in Yonkers and across Westchester County, including the Saw Mill River watershed. In Yonkers, new air quality monitors improved pollution tracking, and completed green stormwater infrastructure projects boosted resilience to natural hazards. Yonkers residents became climate advocates and ambassadors, increasing community awareness and action.

200 bags

of trash collected from the Saw Mill River

10 new air quality monitors

installed across areas of concern in Yonkers

1,326 trees inventoried

and their species, size, health, and ecological benefits identified across Southwest Yonkers

3,961 residents

engaged through climate-focused outreach and events

"Groundwork Hudson Valley has been an instrumental partner for the Village of Dobbs Ferry’s conservation work. We have together removed vast numbers of invasive plants, and we have re-planted over 500 trees and shrubs in their place as we have worked together over the past several years on the Saw Mill River in our village. We could not have achieved that without them!"

Matthew Scott-Hansen

Dobbs Ferry Conservation Advisory Board Chair

Youth Leadership

A Year of Service

The Green Team saw substantial growth in 2024, with youth deepening their job skills and stepping further into their roles as environmental leaders. Their efforts brought meaningful improvements to local neighborhoods, enhancing green spaces, promoting sustainability, and building climate resilience, leaving a lasting impact on both the environment and their development.

45 youth employed

in paid positions

3 bioswales and 4 drainage systems

installed, and 65 trees planted

4,890 hours

improving parks, gardens, green infrastructure, and the physical environments of their communities

210 hours

of civic engagement and outreach

Great picture of Team C working on trench (1)-2

"Joining the Green Team was a new and exciting challenge. At first, I felt nervous, but working alongside a supportive team gave me confidence. Building a bioswale at Lincoln High School was especially meaningful because I saw firsthand how our efforts could reduce flooding and make a real impact in the community. It was my first time working on a team, and it showed me the power of collaboration."

Christine

Green Team Member 2024

Sustainability education

Learning by Doing, In the Classroom and on The Barge.

Throughout 2024, our Sustainability Education led engaging, hands-on learning experiences both on The Science Barge and in the classrooms. Through interactive tours and direct in-classroom outreach, participants deepened their understanding of food systems, sustainability, and energy use. These experiences strengthened Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education while fostering environmental stewardship and advancing food equity in the community.

5 Science Barge Fellows

led research on water quality and urban growing

77 different species

grown on the Science Barge

146 pounds

of fresh produce donated

1,673 students and youth participated

in environmental education programs

"Working on the Science Barge was a monumental experience that gave me some much needed insight into my long-term career endeavors. Being on the barge provided me with the hands-on knowledge to grow plants and maintain them using different growing techniques. My time as a STEM Educator also encouraged me to enroll in technical school to further develop my sustainability skills and expertise."

Duala Dawson

Seasonal STEM Educator

Community and Partnerships

Community

Action Led by Residents

Groundwork Hudson Valley amplified its impact by putting community leadership at the forefront. Nearly 60 residents stepped into advisory roles, advancing civic leadership and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience and action. The launch of two new Community Working Groups gave those most affected by extreme heat, flooding, and air quality concerns a powerful voice in planning, ensuring that every project reflected community priorities and drove meaningful, lasting change.

These groups, alongside volunteers:

Conducted air quality research and data analysis to identify pollutant hotspots and potential areas of concern
Offered on-the-ground insights to guide local interventions and help shape clean air strategies and research policy recommendations
Planted trees and assessed tree health at community centers, schools, churches, and other neighborhood sites
Led outreach and education in Yonkers’ most climate-vulnerable communities, helping neighbors understand the links between health, environment, and advocacy

"Working on the Climate Safe Yonkers Task Force has been very informative and inspirational. Just knowing that I'm a part of something that is doing something about climate change instead of just talking about it is something that I'll never forget. I hope that the work that Groundwork Hudson Valley is doing will encourage others to talk less and do more."

Norma Silva

Climate Safe Yonkers Task Force Member

Partner Spotlight: Yonkers Public Schools

Through a distinct partnership with Yonkers Public Schools, Groundwork Hudson Valley delivered targeted environmental education programs that engaged students across grade levels. Our Connecting the Drops initiative, funded by the EPA, introduced hands-on watershed science and stormwater management projects, while the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) collaboration provided high school students with real-world sustainability experiences linked to STEM career pathways. Additionally, our STEM Series brought interactive, Next Generation Science Standard-aligned lessons into classrooms, sparking curiosity and building climate literacy. Together, these programs reached hundreds of students and reinforced our shared commitment to education and environmental resilience.

“Groundwork Hudson Valley and Yonkers Public Schools share a deep, enduring partnership that has opened doors to environmental experiences rarely available in urban settings. Through Science Barge visits, in-class sustainability lessons, and hands-on green infrastructure projects, students engage with real-world environmental practices. The Green Team program empowers high schoolers with leadership training and employment, preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders. Last fall, we proudly celebrated the new P-TECH greenhouse,another milestone in our commitment to experiential learning and environmental equity, especially at the Barack Obama School.”

Anibal Soler, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools, Yonkers Public Schools

Connecting the Drops at the Barack Obama School for Social Justice

Empowering students to reimagine their schoolyard through the lens of climate resilience. From classroom to community, young changemakers designed real solutions and saw them take root through the Green Team's summer work. A glimpse into what happens when education meets action.

“Our partnership with Groundwork Hudson Valley has opened both the minds and hearts of our P-TECH students, inspiring them to connect with Mother Earth. Through hands-on learning and joyful exploration, they’re discovering fun, meaningful ways to care for the environment and build a better future for their community.”

Zack Stelzner

Special Education & P-TECH Teacher, Barack Obama School for Social Justice

Looking Ahead to 2025

Building on 25 Years of Impact

As we approach our 25th anniversary, Groundwork Hudson Valley is preparing for a new chapter. Our work in 2024 has laid a solid foundation for the future, transforming communities, fostering resilience, and empowering residents to thrive in a healthier, more sustainable environment.

In 2025, our goal is to expand this impact, driving innovation and partnerships to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in climate-resilient communities. Together with our partners and supporters, we will continue to prioritize the well-being of people and the planet, building a future where communities not only survive, but flourish.

Donors and Supporters

Faith and Marc Ackerman
AITEC Gives Back Foundation
American Power & Gas, LLC
Nancy Amo
Anna Devine and Jacob Anbinder
Madeline and Stephen Anbinder
Paul Anbinder
Anonymous (5)
Elizabeth Anderson and Dale William
Jamie Matias Anderson
The Tammy & Keith Anderson Foundation
Sarah Arnold and Rick Magder
Robert Backus
Richard Barcham
Bank of America
Tracy and Robert Baron
Bartlett Tree Expert Co.
Bell Invito
Doris W. Benson
Kathleen Biggins
Roberta and David Binder
Anna and James Birittella
Claudia and Matthew Bogdanos
Nicola Bonham and Fergal Walsh
Barbara Bonomo
James Boorstein
Nanette Bourne and John Delfs
Joan and David Bowen
Noreen Doyle and Michael Bradley
Liz Bracken Thompson and Geoff Thompson

Bill Braine
Sara and Ira Broday
Andrea Brown
William C. Bullitt Foundation
Ellen and Ronald Burg
Denis Cachoian
Merry and John Camhi
Carol Capobianco and Joseph Squillante
Anna Carlson Gannett and Bill Gannett
Sarah Carrier
The Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation
Celia and Brian Carroll
Julie Chang-Normoyle and Patrick Normoyle
Chapman Family Foundation
City of Yonkers
Judy Cohen
Peter Cohn
Patricia and William Colavito
Columbia University
Con Edison
Consortium for Climate Risk in the Urban Northeast
Helen Crenshaw and Meagan Green
Marian Lapsley Cross
Kathy and Joe Curto
Dagher Engineering, LLC
Delores Daly
Shannon and Patrick Daugherty
Robert DelTorto
Patrick DiCerbo

Joan Dinowitz and Robert Matsuoka
Domino® Sugar Yonkers Refinery
Sharon Douglas
Thatcher Drew
Dorothy Dunn and Steve Brosnahan
Catherine Dunn-Brosnan
Rina and Daniel Dzen
Debra and Scott Edelman
Ellen Edwards
Nance Ellis and Geoffrey Domm
Betsy and Richard Ellison
Gayle Katzman and William Estes
Andrew Fader
Natasha Fapohunda
Beth and Richard Fitzgerald
Drew Fixell
Miriam and Michael Foley
Ruth Gastel
Susan Gershenhorn and Jim Lazarus
Jack H. Gilman
Gerry and Pat Gilmartin
Ilona Fobia and Shaun Gorman
Grace Episcopal Church
Peggy and William Greenawalt
Susan and Lawrence Greenberg
Groundwork USA
Amanda and Jeff Hack
Laura and Harry Hall
Harriett Hamlin
Catherin and Jody Hansen
Susan and Paul Harris

Marilyn Hartl
The Henry Luce Foundation
Holm & O'Hara LLP
Hudson River Foundation
Betsy and Stephen Hunter
Intercontinental Exchange
Patti and Robert Ivry
Elizabeth Jacob
JL
Terry and Satish Joshi
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A,
Junior League of Bronxville
Carol Katz Connelly
Sara Kaye
Marla Keller and Adam Silvers
Patrick Kelly
Chet Kerr
Key Bank Foundation
Nancy Klein
Neil Klein
Kamillah Knight and Stephan Spilkowitz
Jane Korach
Jessica Kuonen
David Kvinge
Sherazade Langlade
Eliza Lansdale and James Modula
James Lazarus and Susan Gershenhorn
Liberty Lines
Margaret Lavender and Morgen Fleisig
David Liebler
Loretta and Roger London
Patti and Brad Lubin

Christina Smith
Deborah and Scott Smith
Ellen Smith
Nancy and Turner Smith
Suzanne Smith
St. Faith's House Foundation
Sustainable Westchester
Carol Sommerfield
Susan Sonders
Tanya Southerland
Leola Specht
Nortrud Wolf Spero
Jesse Spiro
Andrea Stewart- Cousins
Trip Advisor
US Fish and Wildlife Service
USDA Forestry Service

Macquarie Group
Mastercard
Shirley Magder
Holly Malekian
Michelle Mang and Mark Koester
Nick Matviko
Kathleen Ruen and E.J. McAdams
Martha McCluskey
Sara McLeod and William Braverman
Eileen Marie McKenna
Julie and Kevin McKnight
Michelle and Charles McNally
MGM Resorts Foundation
Martha Mercedes
David Mermin
Pam Michels and Steve Rosenblatt
Claire Miko
Renee Milligan
Ann-Marie Mitroff and Norman Groner
MOM's Organic Market, Inc
Joan Monk
Julie and Jason Monroe
Roseline and Leo Morandin
The Mulford Corporation
Terry M. Nagai
Wendy Naidich and Elliot Wiener
The Nature Conservancy
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Jackie Nelson
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
NYSERDA

US Environmental Protection Agency
Dru van Hengel
Drusilla van Hengel
MaryAnn and Hugh van Hengel
James Veneruso
Jane Veron and Andrew Feldstein
Nathan Vicente
Judith Waite
Lucy Waletzky, MD
Meg Walker
Ruth Walter
Bob Walters
Leslie and Carl Walter
Susan Weisenberg
Richard Weissman
Westchester Community Foundation
Westchester County Board of Legislators

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Kathleen O'Connor
Nina Orville and Edouard Nammour
Eric Osterman
William Pasmore
Rena Patel
Ann Patton and Arthur Lowenstein
Todd Patton
Allie Petschek and Charles Robson
Holly Ross and Tim Hartung
Gigi and Steve Pucillo
PS&S
PayPal Giving Fund
Matthew Quintero
Yadira Ramos-Herbert
Regency Centers
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Edgardo Resto
River's Edge Theatre Co
Pierre Rivera
Law Office of Andrew M. Romano
Heather and Joseph Sarachek
Round River Foundation
S&P
Emily Sack
Kevin Schildhorn
Julia and Mark Schonfeld
Susan and Joel Schwartz
Tara Seeley
MaryJane Shimsky
Brooke Silverbrand

Westchester County Youth Bureau
Westchester Land Trust
Elizabeth Williams
Lindsey Willis
Shakira Wilson
Keith Wong
Edwin Woodthorpe
Yonkers Economic Development Agency
Yonkers Public Library
Yonkers Public Schools
Joy Yagid
Susie and Stephen Zimmermann
Sarita K. Zimmermann
Wendy Zimmermann and Steve Cutler
Judith Zingher
Philip Zisman
Ivonne Zucco and Anthony Simari

2024 Financials Forthcoming

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Meet The Board of Directors

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Annual Impact Report 2024