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RECAP Presents Social Impact: The Work of Community Action Agencies

Press conference brings light to community partnerships

Middletown – In cooperation with other community agencies and organizations, today we presented to the media the area’s 2015 poverty statistics and what the numbers show about Orange County. Social Impact: The Work of Community Action Agencies, held this morning at the Mill at Middletown site, featured speeches by our CEO Charles Quinn, COO Michele McKeon, RSS Program Director Nolly Climes, RECAP Board President John Cappello, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Laurie Tautel representing Assembly member James Skoufis, and Orange County Chamber President & CEO Lynn Cione.

The statistics are from the New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA). Generated from census data, the report outlines State, County and City poverty levels as they relate to categories such as employment, race, health, gender and more. The report, published annually, is designed to be a comprehensive resource for New York’s Community Action Agencies, community-based organizations, policy makers, advocates, community coalitions and the general public. This report does not offer policy recommendations; rather, the intent is to serve as an informational source that adds value to the larger dialogue on how to address poverty in communities across our state.

“Overall the poverty rate in Orange County decreased from 13.3% to 12.6% and equates to almost 2,400 individuals.  While we acknowledge there is more work to be done, we live in a community where state, County and local officials, with their not-for-profit partners, work every day to serve those most vulnerable in our communities,” said McKeon.

Within Orange County, 19.7% of children live in poverty and 42% are enrolled in a free/reduced lunch program. The living wage for a 1 adult, 1 child household is $26.23. The complete report can be downloaded from  NYSCAA’s website at www.nyscommunityaction.org

The decline in the County’s poverty rate is a testament to the County’s commitment to working with the community’s most vulnerable populations. Hot drinks were served and copies of the report were available to attendees.
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Cookie Swap BINGO

Bingo For Everyone! Join hosts Dr. Michele Winchester Vega and Juliana LoBiondo for a night of BINGO fun! In this BINGO, there’s something for everyone!
RECAP Agency

Community Needs Assessment

Every three years RECAP completes a Community Needs Assessment (CNA). This assessment helps RECAP to design programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of our neighbors. We are please to share with you our most recent CNA.

about Linda Muller

Linda S. Muller served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Family Healthcare for 31 years, transforming it from a single-site clinic to a multi-county health system before retiring in 2022.

Career and Leadership at Cornerstone

Linda Muller joined Cornerstone Family Healthcare in July 1991, when the organization had just one site in Newburgh serving about 5,000 patients. Over three decades, she expanded Cornerstone to 24–25 locations across Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester, and Broome counties, serving over 52,000–55,000 patients.

Her leadership was marked by strategic growth, community engagement, and a strong focus on patient care. Muller was known for her dedication to the organization’s mission and for mentoring staff, as noted by colleagues who described her as a mentor and a “match made in heaven” for those in community health.

Her tenure included significant expansion, infrastructure development (notably the 147 Lake Street building in Newburgh, which she described as the “foundation for everything we have built so far”), and strengthening the organization’s mission to provide accessible, high‑quality healthcare

Muller is a 1976 graduate of the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in speech pathology (minor in audiology and communication) She later earned an M.S. in Health Policy and Administration from The New School, where she also taught for six years. She lives in Cornwall with her husband Charles Muller.

Colleagues have praised her trailblazing leadership, noting her dedication to community health and her role in building a sustainable, patient‑centered healthcare system.