{"id":2009265,"date":"2023-08-23T12:27:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T16:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/port-jervis-teacher-redevelops-downtown-to-give-back-to-the-community\/"},"modified":"2023-08-23T12:32:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-23T16:32:03","slug":"port-jervis-teacher-redevelops-downtown-to-give-back-to-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/port-jervis-teacher-redevelops-downtown-to-give-back-to-the-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Port Jervis teacher revamps downtown to benefit community."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fport-jervis-teacher-redevelops-downtown-to-give-back-to-the-community%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2009265&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>Port Jervis physical education teacher \u200cCory Puopolo has \u2063embarked on an ambitious project: \u200bbuilding the tallest downtown hotel. But\u200c his motivations go beyond profit.\u200d Puopolo&#8217;s goal is to make a \u2064positive impact on the community, particularly\u2063 on \u200c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disturbing-report-female-teen-natl-guard-recruit-forced-to-shower-with-man-claiming-to-be-woman\/\" title=\"Alarming Report: Teenage Female National Guard Recruit Compelled to Shower with Individual Identifying as Female\">young\u200c people<\/a> from challenging family backgrounds. He envisions a brighter future for the city and aims to create \u200dopportunities for its youth to thrive.<\/p>\n<p>Port Jervis is currently experiencing an economic revival, with new businesses flocking to the area. This momentum will soon be amplified by \u200ba $10 million\u2063 downtown redevelopment grant from the \u2063state. Puopolo believes that now is the perfect time to take action.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\">\n<div class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related \u200cStories<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-seeks-public-input-on-long-range-transportation-plan-5461279\">Orange County Seeks Public Input on Long-Range Transportation Plan<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">8\/12\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-seeks-public-input-on-long-range-transportation-plan-5461279\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/national-night-out-strengthening-police-community-partnerships-for-safer-neighborhoods-5443739\">National Night\u2062 Out: Strengthening Police-Community \u2063Partnerships for Safer\u200b Neighborhoods<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">8\/5\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/national-night-out-strengthening-police-community-partnerships-for-safer-neighborhoods-5443739\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Although\u200d the construction of his seven-story\u200c hotel won&#8217;t be completed until\u200d next year, Puopolo is already planning a grand opening fundraising event. \u2064The\u200d proceeds will go towards building new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/boris-johnson-to-introduce-plan-to-lift-u-k-lockdown-open-schools\/\" title=\"Boris Johnson To Introduce Plan To Lift U.K. Lockdown, Open Schools\">basketball courts<\/a> at Church Street Park, providing a safe and engaging space\u2063 for \u200ckids to hang out.<\/p>\n<p>Puopolo&#8217;s dedication to the community doesn&#8217;t end there. He plans to organize regular charity events and encourage customers to round\u200c up their checkout \u2063totals to \u200csupport various \u2064causes. \u200dFor example,\u2063 he wants to offer free pizza\u2063 for kids on Friday nights \u2062to keep them off the streets.<\/p>\n<p>Involving the youth \u200cin the hotel\u200d project is also \u2063a priority for Puopolo. He\u2062 has\u200b enlisted Port Jervis high schoolers to design hotel rooms inspired by local themes and attractions. By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-ohio-republican-partnered-with-antiracist-education-group\/\" title=\"Top Ohio Republican Partnered With \u2018Antiracist\u2019 Education Group\">engaging young people<\/a>, Puopolo believes he can guide them\u200b towards a brighter future and ultimately benefit the entire community.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Church\u200c Street Park in Port Jervis, N.Y., on\u200c Aug. 20,\u200b 2023. (Cara Ding\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Helping Youth<\/h2>\n<p>Puopolo&#8217;s journey in\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/port-jervis-teacher-redevelops-downtown-to-give-back-to-the-community\/\" title=\"Port Jervis teacher revamps downtown to benefit community.\">helping young \u2062people began 12 years ago<\/a> in a \u2062downtown Port Jervis gym. He encountered a troubled seventh grader and encouraged him to improve his academic performance. This teenager \u2064came from a challenging family\u2063 background, with absent\u2063 parents and siblings\u2063 struggling with substance abuse.<\/p>\n<p>The impact of Puopolo&#8217;s \u2062support was evident as the student started to excel in school. One day, the teenager asked Puopolo, &#8220;You are\u2062 encouraging me to do well, \u2064but\u200c what are you doing with \u2063your life?&#8221; \u200bThis question prompted Puopolo to reflect on his own path.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>A view of Front Street in\u2062 Downtown Port Jervis, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 2023.\u2062 (Cara\u200d Ding\/The Epoch\u2062 Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Determined to make a difference, Puopolo decided to pursue a physical education degree at \u2064Stroudsburg\u200d University.\u200b While studying, he initiated a\u2064 project\u200d involving\u2062 at-risk teenagers. They\u2063 grew and sold pumpkins on a family farm, \u200dusing the proceeds to \u200csupport community causes, including\u200c funding basketball tournaments\u2063 at Church Street Park.<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, \u2063Puopolo became\u200d an educator at Port Jervis School\u2063 District,\u2062 teaching\u2062 physical \u200beducation to \u200cstudents from kindergarten to sixth\u2063 grade. \u200dHe finds immense fulfillment in his role, especially \u200cknowing\u2063 that many of his students\u2064 come \u2062from disadvantaged \u2063backgrounds and view school as a safe haven.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Cory Puopolo stands on the unfinished rooftop of the future Front Hotel in downtown Port Jervis, \u200bN.Y., on Aug. 17,\u2064 2023.\u200b (Cara Ding\/The Epoch\u2062 Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>According\u2064 to Puopolo, three of his students have followed in \u2062his footsteps and are now pursuing physical\u2064 education degrees. \u200cHis impact\u2063 extends beyond the farm and\u200c the school, as he has \u200dalso fostered and provided guardianship \u2064for several teenagers in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n<h2>Port Jervis Revival<\/h2>\n<p>When Puopolo decided\u2063 to become a teacher, he defied the advice of his\u2063 friends and bought an old house in Port Jervis. Despite the city&#8217;s \u200dreputation, Puopolo saw its potential\u2063 and affordability. He began renovating old houses\u2064 and selling\u200c them,\u200b contributing to\u2064 the revitalization of Port Jervis one property at a\u200d time.<\/p>\n<p>Simultaneously, the \u200ddowntown area\u2063 of this former \u2063railroad city started to undergo a transformation. New businesses like\u200c Foundry42 and\u2062 Fox \u2062N Hare Brewing replaced boarded-up storefronts, breathing new life into the community.<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Downtown \u200dPort Jervis, N.Y., on Aug. 17, 2023. (Cara Ding\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Puopolo&#8217;s\u2064 persistence paid off when\u2064 he \u200dfinally \u200bconvinced his \u2062business partner to invest\u200c in Port Jervis. They\u2062 attended the Fall Foilage \u2064Festival and had a drink at Fox N Hare, experiencing firsthand \u2063the positive\u2062 changes taking place in the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Port Jervis PE teacher Cory Puopolo aimed to construct the tallest downtown hotel for charitable reasons. His goal was to support youth, particularly those from difficult family backgrounds, and create a better city for their upbringing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":417,"featured_media":2009266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2009265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/417"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2009265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2009265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2009266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2009265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2009265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2009265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}