"The day Camphill moved into Hudson, they came right over, introduced themselves and asked how they could help. They said, 'What can we do for you?' When a church that was running our Wednesday night soup kitchen had to pull out, we contacted the Camphill crew and asked if they'd be willing to pick up those extra days. They didn't even bat an eye, they just said yes. It was such a blessing to us -- we knew our program would continue to be in good hands because Camphill Hudson is passionate about being productive people in the community. We are so grateful."
~ Captain April Griffiths, Director, Salvation Army, Hudson
Purpose
Most of us spend a lifetime digging to unearth a purpose.
When we do, it's extremely gratifying -- especially for adults that live with developmental disabilities. Every day holds new promise.
Individuals in the Camphill Hudson community experience this while making a life for themselves in -- and contributing to -- the city around them. Aside from participating in running their own homes, they make their urban environment a more productive one, helping to complete civic projects and encouraging others.
The entire household volunteers at the Salvation Army kitchen serving meals once a week. Community members are also working at COARC, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and cultivating a city garden in partnership with Time & Space Limited (TSL), a well-established cultural institution in Hudson.
Camphill Hudson - an offshoot of 50 year-old Camphill Village -- is the first truly urban Camphill community in the country. Camphill Hudson is successful because of the wonderful people who took root in Hudson, carrying Camphill's unique philosophy and inclusive way of life into the city. These men and women, some with developmental disabilities, are pioneers who have taken their skills at community building to the city of Hudson. We know firsthand the value of that contribution -- both to those being helped and those doing the helping.
Independence... and Interdependence
A visitor just needs to step inside our Hudson houses to see signs of personal independence. People's rooms reflect their lives, activities and personalities. There is joy in individual and collective responsibility and space. Yet, this kind of independence is not always easily achieved, and can be a challenge for many adults with developmental disabilities.
The structure that encourages individual contribution in our Hudson households yields a side benefit: it gives our community members strong "footing" -- a sense of inner confidence and realized independence -- as they participate in the wider community. 
As the people in the Camphill Hudson community work together and care for one another -- as the community invests itself in wider community efforts through its partnership with Hudson organizations -- each person experiences a wide spectrum of interaction and lives fully, feeling the value of their contribution to the community.
Part of the Camphill movement, residents of Camphill Hudson often attend and participate in functions of three nearby Camphill communities?Camphill Village, Triform Camphill Community, and Camphill Ghent. These relationships further expand the connection of each individual to the whole.
Culture
For centuries, art, music, cultural pursuits, and the ebb and flow of city life have brought us joy and inspiration. The emotional and sensory stimulation of the arts and of a slightly faster pace are not lost on our pioneering community members.
Camphill Hudson is in the middle of everything. The houses are located two blocks from the Post Office, four blocks from the Hudson Area Library, and three blocks from the Hudson River and the Hudson Amtrak Station. They are surrounded by art, antiques, coffee shops, theaters, restaurants and community activists. Both the city and its river are steeped in history, and Hudson was named one of "America's Top Ten Coolest Small Towns" by Frommer's Budget Travel magazine in 2006.
Community
"Camphill in Hudson means easy access to programs and a real and integrated relationship with the city's community. Camphill Hudson and Time & Space Limited have a strong ongoing partnership. We participate in all kinds of community events together, including movies, pot luck suppers, gardening and art projects. We enjoy knowing and working with our Allen Street neighbors. Our lives are enriched and we love the relationship, which is always joyful and filled with appreciation. We have woven our lives together in the fabric of this big quilt called community. We love Camphill and can't imagine a life here in Hudson without them."
~ Linda Mussmann and Claudia Bruce, Co-Directors, Time & Space Limited (TSL), Hudson
For Camphill Hudson participants, the lifeblood of "community" courses throughout their days, whether in cultivating their own household community or giving their time to others. It brings solace and stability, a true sense of belonging and friendship, and the gratification of making good things happen.
Camphill Hudson partners with many Hudson not-for-profit organizations. Community members invest themselves in the wider community, beyond volunteering and their work with local events and educational endeavors. Some Hudson Camphillers have made solid connections to local churches, and help with functions and fundraisers.
The result is recognition, appreciation, acceptance and warmth.
Bill feels this when he walks down bustling Warren Street in Hudson, where he typically fields enthusiastic "Hello!"s from storekeepers and customers who know him well. He envisions running a local shop there someday.
Elias enjoys gardening and outdoor work, and would like to share that passion and experience with younger people in an educational role.
Thomas would like to have a workshop where he could guide and support youth in need.
Allyson visits people in nursing homes and would like to find a way to help elderly people with things they can no longer do so easily for themselves.
Lori loves cooking, whether for the house or other organizations.
The hallmark of Camphill Hudson is a commitment to service and hospitality.
The Urban Landscape
The Camphill Hudson community and TSL created a city garden, and with its flowers, vegetables and beehive, it consistently catches the eye of people around town and groups interested in urban gardening. Highway-bound trucks along Third Street now frequently wait a while longer at stop signs for community members pushing wheelbarrows and carrying rakes and shovels.
Community members say it feels good to help bring healthy work and energy to "Rope Alley" -- transforming an otherwise barren backstreet into an oasis amid the concrete. The garden at the Camphill Hudson houses is also flourishing. These are the green fruits of our urban initiative.
Social Action
"We are fortunate to have Camphill now include Hudson as their community. I was very proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with many Camphill Hudson residents as we fought hard to keep the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Hudson."
~ Rick Scalera, Mayor, City of Hudson
Members of the Camphill Hudson community enthusiastically support good causes where and when they are needed.
When Columbia County's Department of Social Services had recently announced its plans to move out of Hudson, which would have deprived the local economy of business and jobs and made it harder to serve clients, the struggle did not go unnoticed in the Hudson House. The front page of the local newspaper featured Bill, Elias and Lonnie -- who also lives at Camphill Hudson -- standing with the mayor of Hudson, protesting the move. They were very pleased when the Department of Social Services subsequently decided to stay.
Future
Right in line with their independence and desire to do good, the members of the Camphill Hudson have identified specific goals for their collective future.
In the next three years, Camphill Hudson would like to add to the meaningful work and activities for those living in the community, establishing a stronger presence in Hudson in order to be as effective as possible in helping the city and those who depend upon it.
One of the Camphill Hudson's goals is to create a community center which would welcome individuals with and without disabilities, predominantly from the Hudson area. We call this place the "Center for the Social Arts." We envision cooking and hosting community dinners in this space, using produce grown in our garden. We envision hosting theater workshops in this space, inviting local residents to join us in our endeavors. We envision promoting a culture in which all can meaningfully contribute to their community.
On The Horizon
In 10 years, Camphill Hudson will ideally consist of five residential locations -- offering various living situations ranging from independent and semi-independent living to extended-family lifestyles -- for about 50 people with and without disabilities that will live, work and learn together within the Camphill Hudson community.
An active community center will be open both for Camphill residents and residents of Columbia County alike, offering:
- A cafe that is open five days a week
- Artistic workshops and movement classes
- Camphill Workshops
- A children's play circle twice a week
- Music
- An urban garden with two locations in Hudson
Support
Identifying new sources of funding will help the members of the community fulfill the purposes they have individually come to identify with as well as their common purpose - helping the surrounding community in the city of Hudson.
To support Camphill Hudson, kindly click here and under "Designation", enter "Camphill Hudson". Thank you for investing in this civic-minded urban initiative born of the Camphill philosophy and driven by the passion and determination of true pioneers.
Volunter Opportunities
Camphill communities are made possible by the many volunteers who serve in various capacities to support each other and build a strong and ethical community.
People with diverse backgrounds, skills and personal goals are welcome to join our community for a year of service or for a lifetime, and to volunteer their time and energy. Volunteer co-workers live, work, learn and grow with us.
Click here for current openings and to begin the application process.
Contact
Click here for a map showing the location of Camphill Hudson.
For inquiries and more information:
- Email: kambellamy@camphillhudson.org
- Call: (518) 828-3431
- Write: Kam Bellamy, Camphill Hudson Urban Initiative, 506 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534