Here We Grow: The Story of the Hudson Youth Department

542films and Friends of Hudson Youth present Here We Grow: The Story of the Hudson Youth Department. This short documentary highlights the voices of people who’ve grown up at the Hudson Youth Department and explores how this institution continues to shape Hudson today.

For generations, the Youth Department has been a place where kids learn, belong, and grow into our good neighbors and leaders.

Cast & Crew

Directed & Edited by / Karl Frederick Mattson

Produced by / Friends of Hudson Youth

Cinematography, Color & Sound by / Karl Frederick Mattson

Starring (as themselves) / The Youth of Hudson, Pamela Badila, Arone Dyer, Isaiah Heard, Tyrone Hedgepeth, Mayor Kamal Johnson, Calvin Lewis Jr., Patrick Maloy, NaQuera Roach, Jackie Salvatore & Todd Smith

Music by / Kyle McEvoy, featuring Michael Christmas

Main title design by / SUPERHYVE

Tech Specs

Premiered / December 4th, 2025, at The Spark of Hudson

Runtime / 19 min 37 sec

Aspect Ratio / 16:9

Format / Digital, ephemera & newspaper clippings

Camera / Sony FX6, Sony a7S III

Lens / Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4 lens, Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 lens, Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G lens, Nikon Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 lens

Thanks

Peter Frank

Teanna Hedgepeth

Kellen Henry

Caitie Hilverman

Jahmeeka Hughes

Juliana Russo

Brenda Shufelt

Justin Weaver

A Very Special Thanks

Sponsorship, promotional support & premiere location courtesy of The Spark of Hudson.

Copies of historical photographs & documents provided by the Hudson Area Library History Room.

Premiere technical support provided by Story Screen Cinema.

Sponsorship & promotional support courtesy of the Hudson Film Festival.

Press & Coverage

The Hudson Youth Department and the City That Grows Its Own written by Caitie Hilverman of All My Dead and Living Things

Hudson Youth Center celebrated at film premiere written by Spenser Walsh of Hudson Valley 360