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Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.
William Kaplan
Our Mission
The Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC) was created in response to the specific needs of the residents of the City of Newburgh and the students of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.
It is a place where community members of all ages may come together for educational, athletic and civic opportunities, in order to engage with others and advance our community.
The Center aims to be an effective agent of change that will embody and promote civic unity among people of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds and conditions.
The Newburgh Armory Unity Center is an organization and facility that fosters collaborative relationships including opportunities in education, health and wellness and athletics.
The Newburgh Armory provides a new paradigm for a non-for-profit incubator, building a culture of excellence and service within the mission of NAUC.
NAUC provides a facility for other organizations and volunteer groups that might need the resources that our facility offers. NAUC enables participating organizations to conduct their own programs with their own expertise, and collaborates with other programs, for the benefit of the community. Following this concept the facility operates with low overhead.
NAUC is self-supporting and not dependent on Federal or State grants for operating expenses. Operating with a unique financial model, NAUC aims for income from rental and various events of the indoor field to support public programs. NAUC does require grants for capital expenditures and welcomes private sponsorships for its programs.
Our History
In 2010, the Newburgh Armory stood empty—a decommissioned military installation with an uncertain future. Local businessman and philanthropist Mr. William Kaplan saw a different path. Leasing the facility for just $1, he set out with a vision to renovate the basketball courts and create a safe, welcoming haven for the Newburgh’s youth. He named it the Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC), signaling his commitment to bridging the geographic, economic, and cultural divides within our city.
While NAUC began as a place for secure athletic recreation, it quickly became clear that our community’s needs reached far beyond the court. We recognized a profound opportunity to integrate learning into our model, starting with a library and literacy training. What began as a safe place to play soon became a place where we were "changing lives." Today, more than 15 years since our founding, NAUC has evolved into a state-of-the-art educational facility. While we remain a hub for athletics, we have pivoted to an education-first model: students are now required to participate in at least one educational class to engage in our athletic programs.
Our mantra is rooted in Mr. Kaplan’s "Emphatic YES" to any initiative that improves our city. While educational programming is our first priority, we serve as a true community anchor by:
- Collaborating with countless partners to meet local needs.
- Hosting community groups and providing space for constituent programs.
- Promoting Prosperity through dedicated literacy and vocational pathways.
The Newburgh Armory Unity Center is more than a building; it is a movement dedicated to bringing unity to the community and changing lives every day. We welcome you to join us in these efforts as we continue to promote prosperity through education.
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