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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger |
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Dear Friends,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday. In the New Year, I have some exciting staffing changes to announce. Laura Nordstrom, formerly the Director of Research and Operational Programs in my office, will now serve as our County’s Director of Housing and Homelessness, a new position to tackle one of the greatest challenges we currently face and a chief priority of my administration. (More on her new role, below.) I have also promoted two members of my Executive team to new positions: Vanessa Shea will now serve as Director of Research and Operational Programs, and Naseem Haidaou, our former Climate Corps intern, will now serve as the Executive's Secretary.
The Climate Corps program we started two years ago has created an impressive pipeline of smart, talented young people for County employment. In addition to Naseem, three former Climate Corps interns have been hired for full-time positions, including in the Departments of Environment and Office of the Aging. We're building a strong bench of public servants who will provide leadership and service to our communities for many years in the future!
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, healthy New Year,
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Recent News & Events
Laura Nordstrom Appointed as Director of Housing and Homelessness
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Nordstrom to the newly created role of Director of Housing and Homelessness in the Department of Social Services. This position, which reports directly to Social Services Commissioner Mike Iapoce, connects all the dots affecting housing insecurity and will marshall the County's diverse resources to support housing-insecure individuals and families.
Laura previously served as Director of Research and Operational Programs in the County Executive’s office and has been the lead member of County Executive Metzger’s staff helping constituents navigate emergency housing and related support. She brings extensive experience in constituent services to the new position and a strong commitment to improving housing services and addressing homelessness. In her new role, she will oversee the new Family Centered Services program and will lead comprehensive efforts to help residents achieve housing stability through close coordination with other County service agencies and community-based partners. Laura will also coordinate with the Planning Department to expand affordable access to permanent housing and ensure equity and inclusivity in housing opportunities. We wish her all the best in this new County position!
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County Awarded $2 Million Clean Energy Grant for Construction of New Emergency Communications Center
We are thrilled to announce that the County has been awarded a $2 million NYSERDA grant toward the construction of an energy-smart and resilient Emergency Communications Center on Paradies Lane in New Paltz. The facility will feature super-insulated walls, geothermal heating and cooling, and solar with battery backup. Bid documents have now been released to construct the building, which will house the County’s Department of Emergency Services, including the Emergency-911 Center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and the Divisions of Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services. The Emergency Communications Center has been designed to operate during natural disasters, power outages, and other types of emergencies, greatly enhancing the County’s capacity to respond to emergencies whatever the situation.
County Awarded $558K Grant for Repairs to Historic Matthewis Persen House in Uptown Kingston
Ulster County has received a $558,232 grant from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for repairs to the historic Matthewis Persen House in Kingston that will maintain the building’s historical integrity. This pre-Revolutionary stone house, owned by the County since 1914, serves as a seasonal museum and community gathering space at the Corner of Crown and John Streets — the only intersection in America where the buildings on all four corners were built before the Revolutionary War. The Persen House, the first section of which was built in 1661, is believed to be the oldest building in Ulster County. The grant will support the replacement of the deteriorated wood shingle roof and other exterior repairs to preserve the building’s historic character for years to come.
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Big Improvements Coming to the Trudy Farber Building in Ellenville
Big improvements are coming to the County’s Trudy Farber Building in Ellenville in 2025 to better meet community needs – and it's also going green!
— A new staffed Community Concierge desk in the main hallway (the top request from our community outreach meetings!
— NYConnects kiosk for easy access to County resources and services
— Expanded and renovated community room and kitchen
— New energy-efficient, clean energy heating and cooling system
— EV charging hub, including the area’s first fast charger, and a solar carport
— Plus, a new roof with solar in 2026
The goal is to create a vibrant hub of community programming and government services for Ellenville/Wawarsing and neighboring communities!
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Spreading Holiday Cheer at the Kingston Motel
Ulster County Youth Bureau Director Sugely Melenciano-Weed and her team brought holiday cheer to families in emergency housing at the Kingston Motel. Sugely and many community partners prepared an amazing banquet, while the children enjoyed decorating cookies, making music, learning about Kwanzaa, and receiving special holiday gifts.
A very big thank you to all the County's partners who made this happen, including One Strike Fitness, Leonardo Party Rentals, Community Action, Clinton Ave. Methodist Church, Kingston City School District, and the Bruderhof Community.
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Ulster County Office of Employment & Training
County Executive Metzger with Director Sharon Williams and members of the OET team.
The Ulster County Office of Employment and Training (OET) connects residents to job training opportunities and supports local businesses in building a skilled workforce. From helping dislocated workers and underserved youth to providing training tailored to industry needs, OET empowers individuals to achieve career advancement while strengthening the local economy.
In partnership with the Lineman Institute of the Northeast, OET offers financial support for eligible residents to participate in comprehensive training for careers in the electrical industry. Since launching in 2024, this collaboration has seen over 12 participants graduate, with several securing well-paying jobs immediately. The program’s success highlights OET’s commitment to creating life-changing opportunities.
“Working with the Lineman Institute has been such a pleasure,” said OET Director Sharon Williams. “Our partnership with the Institute empowers individuals to gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive, and we couldn’t be prouder to support this transformative journey for our workforce."
For more information about OET’s programs, visit ulsterworks.com or call (845) 340-3170.
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January 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On Monday, Jan. 20, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who dedicated his life to justice, equality, and peace. County Offices are closed in his remembrance.
Dr. King's teachings continue to inspire us to strive for a more inclusive and compassionate society. At the age of 35, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.
Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking garbage workers of that city. On Jan. 20, and on all days, we remember Dr. King for his service and sacrifice in pursuit of civil and human rights for all.
Seeking Input on the County's Draft Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan
Ulster County has completed a draft Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan with actions and strategies to foster a thriving, resilient, and sustainable agricultural community. Review the draft plan and share your feedback by Jan. 31, 2025. You can leave feedback directly on the Participate Ulster site or email Senior Planner Burt Samuelson at bsam@co.ulster.ny.us.
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Grant Opportunity for Translators
If you speak a language other than English and have experience translating literary works, you may be eligible for a Translation Project Fellowship supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA will award grants between $10,000-$25,000 to individuals who will translate specific works of prose, poetry, or drama. If awarded, this could be an opportunity to showcase languages, perspectives, and writers that are not well represented in English.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
Volunteers Needed to Assist with Annual Point-in-Time Count
The Ulster County Continuum of Care — a coalition of County government and nonprofit partners managed by CARES NY — will be holding its annual Point in Time Count for unhoused individuals from Jan. 23-25 throughout the County. This federally mandated count, along with the annual Housing Inventory Count of residential resources, is crucial for understanding homelessness in our community and impacts funding for local services. Teams will host resource events and will conduct canvasses to ensure an accurate count of our most vulnerable population. The data collected will help us better plan how to reach and assist homeless individuals in Ulster County.
If you are interested in learning more, volunteering, or donating supplies, please contact:
📧 Laura Nordstrom, Director of Housing and Homelessness, at Lnor@co.ulster.ny.us
📧 Rhonda Garcia from CARES of NY at Rhonda.Garcia@cccsos.org
📧 Lisa McDonald from RUPCO at lmcdonald@rupco.org
Join a County Board and Make a Difference! Seeking Volunteers
Ulster County is looking for passionate individuals to help shape policies and initiatives that improve our community. Explore the opportunities below to learn how you can contribute
Are you passionate about making our streets safer?
Seeking volunteers for the Ulster County Traffic Safety Board to boost traffic safety through study, advocacy, and public education. The Board champions the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users at the most risk. The Traffic Safety Board typically meets the first Monday of the month at 6 PM.
Are you a young adult who wants to make a difference?
Seeking youth members (ages 16-21) for the Ulster County Youth Board to advise the Youth Bureau Director, County Executive, and County Legislature on youth issues. The Board recommends ways to support and coordinate all youth-serving agencies in Ulster County. The Board also helps the Youth Bureau Director review applications for funding. The board typically meets on the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM.
Would you like to help our seniors thrive?
Seeking volunteers for the Office for the Aging Advisory Council to advocate for adults ages 60 and up in Ulster County. The Council advises the Office for the Aging (OFA) on how to serve the county's older adults with dignity and purpose. The Council helps OFA develop its four-year "Area Plan" to support older adults and their caregivers. The Office of the Aging Advisory Council typically meets every other month on the second Monday at 1:30 PM.
Site Program Manager Needed in Ellenville
Ulster County is hiring a Site Program Manager at the County's Trudy Resnick Farber building in Ellenville, serving as a community connector, overseeing programming, and helping individuals of all ages and abilities access vital services and resources. Candidates with experience in southern Ulster County and Spanish-speaking skills are a plus. Pay is $31.01 per hour.
Apply for a Rewarding Job with Ulster County - NO Civil Service Test Required!
Earn a living by making a difference! The Ulster County Department of Social Services and the County Attorney’s office are now hiring for these positions:
- Caseworker Trainee ($29.59/hour)
- Social Welfare Examiner Trainee ($23.18/hour)
- Social Services Attorney ($45.09/hour)
- Assistant County Attorney ($85,942/year)
- Paralegal ($33.34/hour)
Great news for job seekers! From now until May 2025, the Civil Service exam requirement will be waived for select positions, making it easier to apply and get hired.
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
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