About Us
Mission
Since our founding in 1948, the Mid-Hudson Workshop for the Disabled has diligently focused on a singular goal: To provide meaningful work for the New York Hudson Valley’s physically and medically handicapped.
Our dedicated staff possesses many valuable skills. As a result, our mission benefits the business community. Why? Because the outsourcing services we provide save dollars and valuable resources for those who contract with us. Firms are also comforted in the knowledge that their outsourced expenditures remain here, supporting the local and regional economies.
Mid-Hudson Workshop’s cost-effective, timely and satisfaction-guaranteed services have helped many clients—in New York’s Hudson Valley and well beyond—to be more competitive within their respective industries.
The Mid-Hudson Workshop Story
More than 60 years of service to Hudson Valley’s disabledIn 1947, an idea was conceived by Dause Bibby, the general manager of IBM, to establish a workshop, modeled after one in Binghamton, which would employ the physically handicapped. With the assistance of Stephen Puff, New York State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Ben Van Winkler, executive secretary of the Mid-Hudson Industrial Association, an effort was begun “to establish, maintain, manage, and support through public and individual effort and appeal, a place for the employment of persons who are physically handicapped and to provide means, whereby, such people can enter into gainful employment.”
The Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce arranged a dinner at the Hotel Campbell (later the Poughkeepsie Inn) in November 1947 to demonstrate how handicapped people could be trained and rehabilitated.
Early in 1948, the Poughkeepsie Kiwanis Club took over the sponsorship and solicited $3,500 for the initial operating expenses from eight manufacturing concerns and individuals, all of which have since been repaid.
A board of directors was set up consisting of leaders in several fields, including industrial, law, medical, education, political, insurance, banking, horticulture, nursing, commerce, retailing, chemical, personnel, and administrative management.
On Sept. 16, 1948, Mrs. Marion D. Coday was hired as managing director and the Nelson House contributed what was Radio Station WKIP, as rent-free quarters.
The organization was incorporated in November 1948 and, on Dec. 13, 1948, the workshop opened with two physically handicapped employees and soon added two more. What made the organization unique was the skill-sets of its workers. Unlike similar groups, since the MHW staff consisted solely of physically and medically disabled workers, the workers were adept at handling much more higher-tech types of jobs than could be provided by the majority of vocational workshops as they employed a developmentally disabled population.
IBM was always very cooperative and generous in furnishing work to the Mid-Hudson Workshop, as well as similar workshops in other areas.
Larger quarters became necessary in the spring of 1951 as the workshop expanded its workforce to 34 people. The second floor of the Swift Refrigerator Parts Supply Co. at 912 Main St. in Arlington became the home of MHW for the next six years.
In February 1957, the workshop moved to its present location on Washington Street to accommodate its 53 employees. The modern 6,600-square-foot building was purchased for $125,000.
During the summer of 1964, a 1,200-square-foot addition was opened at a cost of $44,000.
Mrs. Marion D. Coday, the founding managing director, retired on Nov. 30, 1964, and Alfred Hanson was named executive director to carry on her duties.
In 1968 a 9,000-square-foot addition was completed at a cost of $150,000.
As the amount and scope of work received from IBM continued to grow, additional space continued to be needed. In 1983, a three-story addition was completed, followed by a second three-story addition in 1985, bringing the total size of the Workshop to 52,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space.
In January 1984, Al Hanson retired after 20 years. Norman J. Coppinger, who had served as a member of the board of directors representing Western Printing, was hired as executive director.
During the 1980s the workshop flourished. Fueled by IBM’s requirements, employment grew to more than 80 people handling assembly, warehousing, reclamation and office projects.
In 1993, IBM Corp. announced massive employment reductions at its Poughkeepsie and Fishkill plants. As a result, the majority of the work performed at the workshop was returned to IBM, leaving the workshop with an uncertain future. During this time the workshop’s workforce was reduced through buyouts and early retirements to 20 employees.
During the mid 1990s alternative revenue sources were pursued. Stephen Gould Corp., a packaging company with a local office in Fishkill, became a customer supplying packaging work for the workshop’s employees.
In 1995 the Big Indian Water Co. relocated from Wappingers Falls to the 188 Washington building, occupying space left vacant by IBM warehousing operations; the workshop began operation of Big Indian’s water bottling production facility.
Norm Coppinger retired in June, 1997, and Edward R. Mongoven, president of the board of directors, was named interim executive director. In September 1998, production manager Donald E. Rajczi was promoted to general manager to oversee workshop operations.
Since the early ’90s, many new customers have been attracted to the workshop by the quality of the work, dedication of the employees, and the cost savings. These have included Lumb Woodworking, Fargo, Bausch & Lomb, Creative Crates, Naked Earth Distributors, Conklin Instrument Corp., James Taylor Manufacturing, D.C. ARC, KDI Paragon, Pawling Corp., Laerdal Medical Corp., the Harran Group, MPI, Inc., Staff Lighting, Eran Lighting, and the Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce.
In April 2002, Douglas M. Depew was named general manager. He brought to the workshop his 25-plus years of IBM experience along with an extensive background in corporate and retail sales and marketing.
In 2008, Depew left before the workshop celebrated its 60th anniversary. Late that year, William D. (Bill) DelTosta joined MHW to bring an aggressive approach to marketing the workshop’s services. Bill came to the shop with more than 30 years of sales, marketing and media experience garnered from the advertising industry. As director of sales and marketing, Bill approaches many potential clients and is advising firms that in the current economy, all good business plans should capitalize on outsourcing to help keep costs down and save valuable company resources. Outsourcing regionally not only keeps those dollars in the Hudson Valley, but provides meaningful work for the disabled.
As part of these new efforts and in conjunction with the anniversary, a significant media campaign was developed to promote MHW’s mission and to help build a larger stable of clients. The effort has included donated regional newspaper advertising and feature articles, radio spots and interviews, magazine coverage and billboard messages.
Contracts with Stamford Scientific International, Inc., A.W. Mack Machine Shop, CSI, IBM Corp., Laerdal Medical Corp., Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union and other area businesses continue the foundation of providing meaningful work for the disabled to enjoy full and productive lives.
Board Members/Staff
The Mid-Hudson Workshop for the Disabled is guided by a dedicated board of directors. Their efforts on behalf of MHW’s mission are valued by workers we serve and by the many businesses our outsourcing services benefit.
2010 Board Members:
- President: Robert Nellis, American Graphic Design, Washington, NY
- Vice President: W. Rick Stark, Stephen Gould Corp., Whippany, NJ
- Treasurer: Larry Miller, IBM, Poughkeepsie/Kingston/Thornwood, NY & Danbury, CT (retired)
- Secretary: Robert Smith,Central Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Ronald Bowers, IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY (retired)
- Peter Cantline, Spectra Engineering PC, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Clifford Crispell, Poughkeepsie, NY (retired)
- Jim Dankelman, IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY (retired)
- Anthony DePasquale, IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY (retired)
- Robert Dietz, Dietz & Dietz Attorneys LLP, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Ron Montesano, Spectra Engineering PC, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Cliff Scholl, Complete Sound, Poughkeepsie, NY
Bill DelTosta, Director of Sales and Marketing, brought his 30-plus years of sales, marketing and media experience to MHW from the advertising industry in 2008. Long-active with the Carmel Central School district, Bill, a resident of Kent Lakes, is delighted to be able to give back to the community on a full-time basis. Since his arrival at MHW, Bill has facilitated contact with firms including Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Hunt Country Furniture, Selux Lighting, Blair Upholstery, élan Cosmetics, Kid Directed Inc., TickleMe Plant Co., Easy Twist Tools, the United Way, Occupations, Inc and Minuteman Press.
Ralph Malone, Production Manager, has been with MHW since 2003. Ralph has extensive expertise in manufacturing garnered from more than 20 years of experience in production management with Proctor & Gamble, Experian and a major adhesive coatings company in New Jersey. Ralph lives with his wife in Hamptonburgh, NY and takes pride in his home shop and tool collection.
Pat Brittingham, the Office Manager, has been with MHW more than 25 years. She is responsible for bookkeeping, purchasing, human resources, board reports and more. An avid RVer with her husband, Pat hopes to tally many more miles on her 31-foot camper with her two Dachshunds in tow when she retires from MHW.
Erwin Watson, part-time office assistant helps keep management on our toes. His digital prowess and attention to detail is usurped only by his love of the links.
Facility
- More than 52,000 square feet
- Four docks, plus one drive-in 15-by-15 foot bay
- Three hydraulic dock lifts
- More than 30 parking spaces
- Up to 20’ ceilings in dedicated areas
- Fully heated and air-conditioned
- Dining area with kitchen
- Two elevators (one personnel; one 5,000-pound freight)
- Sprinkler system throughout
- Fully alarmed building
- Designated secure and lockable client rooms or areas
- Numerous stationary tool and work-stations
- The entire facility is wheelchair accessible
Licenses and Equipment
MHW maintains a New York State Agriculture Department Food Preparation license. Should your job require a specialized license or specific machines, materials or staffing, we will make every effort to fulfill those needs.
Our goal is to effectively manage and complete any new job requested by a current or potential client.