As of Monday, March 1, 2021, Hudson Valley Community Services (HVCS) is now a division of Cornerstone Family Healthcare. This merger, which has been in the works for over three years, unites two Hudson Valley not-for-profit organizations that share not only similar geographic territory, but also a focus on making health and supportive social services available regardless of income level or status.
HVCS has served seven counties in the Lower and Mid-Hudson Valley since its founding in 1983 as an HIV/AIDS support organization. Since then, the agency has ventured into the fields of substance use disorder, behavioral health, prison/jail services, nutrition services, hepatitis C and STI prevention and testing.
When faced with a rapidly-changing healthcare and social service landscape, a team of senior staff and volunteer Board members began to explore the possibility of merging with another non-profit. They felt that the ideal partner was one that offered direct medical services, substance use disorder treatment, and had a similar focus on ensuring that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.
HVCS found that partner in Cornerstone Family Healthcare; the two agencies were already collaborating directly on an opioid treatment program in the Mid-Hudson and made referrals to each other on a regular basis.
Cornerstone is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center with a mission to provide high quality, comprehensive, primary and preventative health care services in an environment of caring, dignity and respect to all people, regardless of their ability to pay.
Cornerstone was founded in 1967 and has been responsive to meeting the needs of local communities with a continued emphasis on the underserved and those without access to health care regardless of race, economic status, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability.
The plan to merge was approved by the New York State Attorney General last fall. HVCS is maintaining its programs and services, and clients should experience only improvements to their care. Consolidation of our administrative staff allows for enhanced efficiency and opportunities for growth.
We believe we are stronger and better together, and are poised to make even greater contributions to the health, well-being and quality of life of those in our community.
