NEW WINDSOR – Access: Supports for Living held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Center of Excellence (ACE) facility adjacent to New York Stewart International Airport Wednesday, drawing in a crowd of more than 100 attendees.
The 15,000-square-foot building features a spacious room on the main floor that accommodates more than 100 people, with several conference and breakout rooms across its two levels.
ACE will provide training and certification courses for human services workers to improve how care and support are delivered. “We actually don’t intend to provide any services here,” said CEO Ron Colavito. “This facility is intended to be a place for learning and bringing in new ideas from not just the region but across the country, potentially internationally.”
The facility’s proximity to Stewart could help to boost New Windsor’s economy. “ACE is going to bring professionals, educators, community partners, and businesses into New Windsor,” said Town of New Windsor Supervisor Steve Bedetti. “When people come here, they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, visit our businesses, and get to see firsthand what our community has to offer.”
Access’ leadership hopes the space is used by more than just its own workforce. “We want ACE to be a place where our workforce and professionals from throughout the region come to learn and become better at what they learn,” said Board Chair Liz O’Halloran.
For-profit businesses are also welcome to hold events at ACE. “Organizations can use this space for board meetings, for board retreats, for a number of different things,” said Colavito. “It’s available to be used however someone wants to use it.”
Access aims to train and certify 5,000 professionals by 2031. By then, the non-profit also hopes to secure employment for at least 500 individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs, and to reach over 100 organizations in providing evidence-based suicide prevention practices.
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