Late this spring, the DASNY grant funds from the State of New York finally arrived in our bank account, amounting to $100k in reimbursement for the new roof and gutter systems at Epworth Hall.

As many of you know, securing these funds, promised in 2018, has been a long journey for us. After the funding was awarded, the state was silent on actually providing the money, and pursuing it quickly turned into a game of political finger-pointing.

However, thanks to the tireless efforts—and I do mean tireless—through letters, phone calls, meetings with our State Senators, and support from partner organizations and several Institute residents, the funds have finally arrived, 7 years later.

The absence of funding left the security of Epworth Hall in limbo during this period. The roof work was urgently needed and deteriorating each year. Consequently, in 2023, we were forced to use our reserve funds to cover the roof replacement ourselves.

With the release of the funding now official, we are in the process of reallocating those funds and replenishing our reserve accounts.

It's quite a relief to be made whole on this effort. Special thanks to Loren Penman and Jill Knitter authors and advocates of the original grant as well as members of the Grants Committee and the Board of Trustees for getting this across the finish line.