Starry Night is a networking and awareness event, where we honor the lives that have been lost to substance use disorder and celebrate all those who have found their pathway to recovery...

The Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County and the Prevention Foundation of the Mid-Hudson Valley have hosted this special annual event together since 2011. We come together to heal as a community and know we are not alone. We talk about addiction, why prevention and harm reduction matter, reducing the stigma, and the hope of recovery.

Starry Night begins with a special candlelight ceremony on the waterfront in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by beautifully decorated luminary bags. We hear from speakers sharing their experience with addiction. We light candles and take a moment of silence for those who are no longer with us. Then, we head inside to enjoy good food with good company.

If you have lost a loved one to SUD/addiction, please leave a message, memory, or photo for them on the 'Leave a message' screen during the ticket reservation. If you haven't already done so in years past, you can also light a virtual candle in their memory. We will honor them on our Facebook page and in the slideshow at this year's event.

Light a candle here: capedc.org/starry-night-memories

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MORE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

The Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been serving Dutchess County since 1987. Established with only a few staff to meet the growing need for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention/education services, the Council has now grown into a constructive framework for delivering prevention, education, and recovery services. Their goal is to promote positive change by raising awareness about the prevalence of addiction, helping the community recognize its far-reaching impact, and implementing evidence-based programs that are capable of addressing this issue effectively.

CAPE is a NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) licensed provider and a contract agency of Dutchess County. Their dedicated staff provides training, prevention counseling, community education, and recovery services to individuals, families, businesses, schools, community groups, and other local organizations. They also host annual events to raise awareness, increase inter-agency collaboration, and foster unity among community members.

CAPE's Starry Night 2026

ADDICTION - RECOVERY - REMEMBER - CELEBRATE