Our Community Cares, Inc.
Assisting residents of Columbia County, NY

Dawn Steward is co-founder of Our Community Cares, Inc. Dawn resides in Ghent with her husband and has lived in Columbia County for the last 38 years, having moved from the Bronx in 1978. They are the parents of five children and grandparents of seven.

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Dawn was a Technology Teaching Assistant in the Chatham School District for 10 years. She then began work in the Human Services field, having worked in eligibility at the Columbia County Dept. of Social Services, and as a Patient Eligibility Specialist for Columbia Memorial Health. Dawn currently is the Theater and Community Relations Manager for the Crandell Theatre

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Dawn is a life member of the Chatham Rescue Squad and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chatham Fire Dept. She also is a past member of NAMI, (National Alliance on Medical Illness).  While employed at Chatham Central she also served as advisor to SADD, (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

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Dawn holds an Associate Degree in Business Education and hopes to complete her BA in Human Services. Dawn’s experience in the Human Services field allows her to assist individuals with the application process for the many programs available to them during a time in need.

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Dawn has been involved with Human Services organizations since she was a child, volunteering for the Epilepsy Society of New York as a child. Her parents instilled in her the desire to assist others in need. She hopes to continue working in the community and expand the role Our Community Cares Inc. in its’ mission.

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Dawn enjoys spending time with her family. Her many pets including two parrots, and two dogs keep her very busy

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Amy joined the OCC Board shortly after it’s origination in 2013.  Amy graduated from Chatham Central School in 1987. 

A lifelong Columbia County resident, she currently lives in Valatie with her significant other Ed, and their lovable yellow lab Rocky.

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Currently, Amy works at Ichabod Crane Central School District as the Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent and District Registrar.  Previously Amy worked for Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for 19 years as the Office Manager and Program Director and  prior to that, at Chatco/The Executive Line for 11 years in an administrative role.  She also does house cleaning on the weekends.

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Amy’s past volunteer experience has been with her church and being a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.  She also participates in cancer walks and events every year.

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Amy went to Hudson Valley Community College for two years and received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and then went to Siena College for 2 years and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  She is a personable, community minded individual.

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Amy was drawn to want to volunteer for a greater cause with the hopes of making a difference in individual’s lives during difficult times.  Her hope is to use her abilities and talents to accomplish and contribute what she can during her time on the Board of OCC.

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When Amy is not working or volunteering she enjoys cooking, baking with the kids in her life, photography, yoga and gardening.   Her all time favorite thing to do is spend time with her friends and family.  She is always up for trying something new.

Marie Miano joined the OCCi  board in 2014 as Treasurer and she has since taken time away from the position only to return to it again.  Born and bred in the Bronx she moved to Columbia County in 1992.  She lives in Chatham with her fiancé Michael and her two cats Fred and Ethel.

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Marie worked on Wall Street for 16 years right after graduating from High School.  She has held various positions since moving to Columbia County such as bookkeeper, accounting clerk and finance assistant.  She has been employed for the past 6 ½ years for First Niagara Bank and currently is the Branch Service Supervisor.

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Marie is also a 24-year member of the Chatham Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and held the position of Treasurer several times and a member of the Columbia County Ladies Auxiliary for which she served previously as treasurer.

Marie has been a Sunday School Teacher at St. James Parish in Chatham for the past 13 years.  This year she has joined the Leadership Team for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for Columbia/Greene Counties.

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Marie brings with her to the board many years of working in the finance industry to aid her in her role as treasurer.

Marie joined the board because she wanted to give back to the community that gave to her when she was going through Breast Cancer 5 years ago.  The outpouring of donations, support and love she received during that time was wonderful and helped her get through what was one of the most devastating years of her life. Hearing those words you have Cancer is awful and she wants to be there for people ever since she experienced it first-hand.

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Marie enjoys traveling to the Caribbean, hanging out with family and friends, gardening , getting tattoos, playing with her cats, camping, shopping and currently has joined the adult coloring craze.  Her favorite season is summer.

Lori joined the board of OCCi in November 2015 as the coordinator for our volunteer Ambassador program

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Lori has been a nurse since 1991 and has worked in the fields of disabled children, geriatrics and ventilator dependent patients.  For the last 10 years, she has done private duty care, hospice work and respite care.

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Lori’s past volunteer service includes 12 years with Chatham Rescue Squad and 7 years with the Spencertown Fire Department.  She also volunteers for Addiction Recovery.  She also leads a weekly BINGO game for seniors and enjoys taking them to doctors appointments or shopping.

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Lori has a nursing degree as well as past experience as an EMT and a Firefighter / First Responder and has served in several capacities for AA Services.

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She loves caring for people, meeting new people and helping others.  She joined OCCi to “pay it forward”.  She is a very spiritual person and feels her goal in life is to be of service to others.

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When not volunteering for OCCi, she enjoys the NY Yankees, softball, arts & crafts and NASCAR. She spends a lot of time in nature with her camera and finds serenity in visiting the ocean.

Tracy Muller joined the board of OCCi in January 2013.She lives in Craryville with her husband Fred and their two children, Troy and Regan. She was born and raised in Columbia County and graduated from Chatham High School in 1987.

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Tracy has been a Special Education teacher with the Hudson City School District since the fall of 1993. She teaches kindergarten and first grade.

Tracy has worked with special needs children most of her adult life and has also volunteered as a respite worker.

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Tracy has a Bachelors in Special Education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Masters in Educational Psychology from SUNY Albany.

Tracy’s family has a long history of volunteer service and her hope is to continue that service through her position on the board of OCCi.

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Tracy enjoys spending time with her family, reading and going on family vacations.

Mike was born and raised here in Columbia County. All he has ever wanted to do for his whole life, was to help others.

He was a member of the Hudson Fire Dept for 20+ years.

He raised three wonderful girls, worked construction, building management, and as a chef.

He is now retired, has 4 wonderful grandsons and enjoys cooking, wood crafts, antique car shows, and helping out wherever and whenever he can, whether it’s at the local senior center, Salvation Army Soup Kitchen or just giving back to help our county through his work with OCCi.

Kari is an 8th generation resident of Columbia County, growing up in Kinderhook and currently living in Valatie. She has a bachelor’s in history from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI and a Masters in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.  She has spent most of her career working as a fundraising professional for Not-for-Profits in both Rhode Island and New York. 

Kari is the membership director of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and a licensed Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in the Kinderhook office.  She is also on the board of the Friends of Lindenwald.   In her spare time, she enjoys learning about local history, gardening, hiking and creating stained glass. 

Susan came to OCCI as a volunteer back in 2013. She later joined the board and has enjoyed organizing and assisting various fundraising events since then.  Her previous work as a Family Partner with the Brien Center, where she helped families advocate for their children within the community, reinforced her passion for advocacy. 

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Susan enjoys working with families during intakes and through the duration of their time with OCC.   She most recently spearheaded the “Lincoln’s Keepers Project” and Pediatric Fund.  She is an empathetic and creative member of our board and we are thankful for her dedication and big heart.