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December 2007 Newsletter In This
Issue:
Dear Friends: I want to offer you my best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year! This has been a truly record year for the Department for the Aging. Many of our programs received national awards, and we have laid a strong foundation for future achievements. As the year draws to a close, I’d like to thank DFTA staff, our network of community providers and the many other stakeholders in the welfare of the senior community who have partnered with us on these endeavors. Together we are working to deliver services to the City’s elders that are responsive, dynamic and forward-looking. Read the full text of my letter here.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Also, call 311 to learn about the Department's services for seniors or read more at nyc.gov/aging
Making Monet (And Other Artists as Well!) Proud Your local senior center is a hotbed of creative activity and cultural exploration, right? You'd better believe it! Thanks to a City Council initiative, over 150 of the City's senior centers will soon be partnering with a New York City arts or cultural organization to promote senior participation in the arts. The Council, working through the Department for the Aging (DFTA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), will award grants to a wide variety of organizations that have proposed "quality" projects that enrich the cultural/arts programming of their senior center partners. "The interest generated by the initiative has been very encouraging," said Joy Wang, a DFTA Deputy Assistant Commissioner. "More than 184 organizations on DCLA's list of eligible cultural/arts programs attended pre-proposers' conferences, and, if their questions and inquiries are any indication, it appears that a wealth of program ideas is under discussion," Wang continued. She cited program ideas that include art, dance, poetry and theater workshops; performances of all kinds; meetings with artists; exhibits; even projects that tackle environmental issues and many that take an intergenerational approach. "The initiative has been an amazing jump-start engine for new partnerships and programs at senior centers," noted Wang. "Although each project will receive only a relatively small amount of money, the possibility of a City Council grant is enabling organizations to leverage additional monies. It's proof that a little push can have a tremendous impact." The initiative supports New York City efforts to modernize senior centers through programs that help promote healthy aging. "Research continues to show the enormous positive effect on health and well being of staying mentally active and involved in creative challenge and new experiences. Arts programs at senior centers represent a major step toward making centers more vital contributors to the 'new aging,'" says DFTA Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago.
New Initiative Educates Seniors about Financial Scams Seniors are a favorite target of scam artists, identity thieves, predatory lenders and others who see people over 60 as easy prey for unscrupulous schemes. To educate seniors about these scams and how to avoid them, the Federal Trade Commissioner's Northeast Regional Office, DFTA and the Department of Consumer Affairs launched "Senior Savvy," December 11th. Mayor Bloomberg also declared December 11th "Senior Savvy Day."The Stanley Isaacs Center in Manhattan hosted a preview of the presentation as part of the project launch. Over the next year, senior centers throughout New York City will be offered the opportunity to host "Senior Savvy." Internet-related fraud, identity theft, predatory lending and reverse mortgage offers that are not on the up-and-up will be some of the topics covered. "A little training can go a long way in transforming people from potential victims into knowledgeable and empowered consumers," said DFTA Commissioner Mendez-Santiago. "Seniors are an important segment of the consumer market. This empowerment approach will give them the information and tips they need to maneuver intelligently in that market." To learn more, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/aging.
A Place to Turn for Queens Seniors Facing Eviction Two years ago, DFTA and the New York City Civil Court joined forces to create the Assigned Counsel Project (ACP) to help elders facing eviction proceedings. Living on fixed incomes, many seniors at risk of eviction cannot afford to hire a private attorney and their access to free legal services is limited. Many also have unmet social service needs complicating their legal problems. Without both legal and social service assistance, these seniors are at risk of homelessness and deteriorating mental and physical health. ACP targets elders in need of both free legal representation and social work intervention to stabilize their lives. It pairs social workers and attorneys in assisting older clients. The Project began by working with elders referred from Brooklyn and Manhattan Housing Courts. In its first year, the program assigned lawyers and social workers to more than 200 clients from 60-90 years of age, double the caseload anticipated. Last month, the Assigned Counsel Project expanded to Queens. Two graduate school social work interns doing their field placement at DFTA and a DFTA social work supervisor are now stationed at the Resource Center of Queens Family Court in Jamaica. There, while project-assigned attorneys are assisting their older clients with legal issues, the social workers are helping them obtain services, complete SCRIE applications, find new places to live and deal with family and other issues. The teams will also assist landlords who are 60 years of age and older and dependent upon their rental income take action against tenants who have not paid their rent. Ultimately, each social worker will have a case load of 20 clients. "We're all encouraged by the welcome we've received from staff of the housing court, said Catherine Giblin, director of the Assigned Counsel Project. "It's great to be building this relationship with such supportive partners." In 2006, the Project was recognized by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging for its achievement.
Interdisciplinary Team Tackles Elder Abuse The Manhattan Elder Abuse Case Coordination and Review team, a group of professionals from many different agencies and organizations who meet monthly to discuss current cases brought by team members, is creating a new standard in New York City for collaborative problem-solving and action plan development in elder abuse cases. Team members represent social service agencies, academia, the legal and medical communities, public agencies including DFTA, APS (Adult Protective Services of the Human Resources Administration), the NYPD, district attorney offices and others in law enforcement. They are a working group. As cases are discussed, members make suggestions and raise issues from their different professional vantage points. Sometimes members even offer to actively participate in a case. Cornell Medical Center organizes the meetings, takes minutes and is developing a membership directory. Issues raised by case discussion at recent meetings included options for an older woman who had been kicked out of her apartment by its co-owner, her significant other who was now stalking her; strategies for moving a victim of domestic violence toward independent living when she did not want to be discharged from the safe environment of a shelter; and protections for a 84 year old in fragile health who was resisting guardianship although he was being financially abused and medically neglected by his son and ex-wife who lived with him. The Manhattan Team model is expected to be duplicated in Brooklyn early in 2008. These case consultation teams are an outgrowth of the New York City Elder Abuse Prevention Network, launched last year by DFTA. The Network, whose membership is also multi-disciplinary, is a focal point for legislative advocacy, professional training, public education on elder abuse prevention and system coordination.
This is a dream-come-true story of eight aging amateur artists and their age sixty-plus instructor in East Harlem. Calling themselves Los Artistas Rebeldes (The Artist Rebels) in defiance of the stereotype that the creative "juices" dry up when one gets older, the group dreamed of recognition and of a large, sunlit studio to work in. That dream came true because a community believed in them. Los Rebeldes, and their professional mentor, Virginia Ayress, had been sharing their love of painting and each other's company for several years before they decided to look for "studio" space. Last winter, hearing of their search, City Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito offered them an unused basement room at her East 116th Street offices. Soon their landscapes, still lifes and portraits of family and friends hung on every wall. Visiting the office, local artist and muralist Manny Vega was "wowed" by the light, color and passion of the work he saw. "You cannot keep this work a secret, it must be presented to the community!" he declared. From there, events moved quickly to find exhibit space for the group. The East Harlem Chamber of Commerce lined up six local bank branches to display some of the paintings, and in June the group had their first public showing at the Citywide Senior Health Fair in Jefferson Park, thanks to Fair co-sponsors Metropolitan Hospital and the Department for the Aging. Meanwhile, other organizations in the community rallied to arrange an exhibit later in the summer at the East Harlem Multicultural Festival - a dream of recognition for these older Barrio artists. Health Plus Medicare contributed to the cost of professionally framing the artworks to be displayed, and a local art gallery did the framing at a special price. East River North Renewal Inc. provided construction materials and helped with exhibit scheduling. To manage finances, the East Harlem Pilot Block stepped in, while two undergraduate interns at Council Member Mark-Viverito's offices and the Councilwoman herself kept things moving smoothly. The exhibit in August at the East Harlem Multicultural Festival in La Placita de La Marqueta was a great success! More was yet to come. This fall, Los Artistas Rebeldes and their instructor moved from their basement room to a new large storefront art studio - the Senior Studio - at Taino Towers on Second Avenue and 122nd Street, a bustling development of apartment buildings and stores. Now the group is excitedly preparing for the "official" opening of their "real" art studio. Passers-by watch the artists at work through the plate-glass window, and there is a steady stream of visitors wandering in to ask questions and look around. Lesson of this story? No one is too old to make art and no one is too old to have their dreams come true.
ACCESS NYC: Benefit Information in One Place
There are three steps for NYC residents using ACCESS NYC:
ACCESS NYC is free, anonymous, and can be used anywhere the Internet is available. ACCESS NYC is simple to use, even for people who only have a little bit of experience with computers. For more information, go online to www.nyc.gov/accessnyc or call 311 and ask for ACCESS NYC.
Seniors Connect to Families and Friends Thanks to Merrill Lynch
Seniors within a 45-minute radius of Merrill Lynch headquarters receive transportation to the Christmas Day event. They are greeted by hundreds of Merrill Lynch employees and their families who have volunteered to make the day a success. The volunteers guide seniors to phones, help identify area and country codes and assist with dialing. Many are bi-lingual and can help non-English speaking seniors in their own language. As seniors connect to their loved ones, the words "I love you" and "I'm thinking of you" hum along the wires. Children pass out cookies to participants. For those who cannot attend Christmas Day, Merrill Lynch, DFTA and the Aging in New York Fund organize outreach events, where AT&T volunteers bring cell phones and Merrill Lynch volunteers provide and serve a catered lunch (see picture of volunteers serving lunch). In addition, volunteers access conference calls to the friends and family across the world of seniors who cannot be at the center for the event. Outreach events this year were held Nov. 20th at Glenridge Senior Center, December 4th at Times Plaza Senior Center and December 11th at Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Center.
Making Red Hook More Senior Friendly: the Post Office Takes a Step
Led by a member of the Red Hook Senior Center, Emma Broughton, the community's seniors jumpstarted this collaborative effort to meet a community need. Involved in the solution were Brooklyn Postmaster Joseph Chiossone, the local Red Hook Post Office, elected officials, NYCHA housing management in Red Hook, local businesses, the center director and seniors themselves. "We were so excited to join this community effort," says Andrea Burrows, Customer Relations Coordinator of the US Post Office. "The Post Office wants to do everything it can to meet seniors' needs. And of course the Post Office is already collaborating with the Department for the Aging on the Carrier Alert Program." Turning out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony October 20th, a beautiful sunny day, were more than 50 seniors and invited guests including a representative of the Borough President's Office, DFTA and RAICES, the community organization that sponsors the Red Hook Senior Center. "Today we took one small but significant step toward making Red Hook a more liveable community for seniors," said Charise Lawrence of DFTA. Patrons began to line up as the van opened for business that very day.
Free Seniors Day at Ruben Museum The Ruben Museum of Art is working hard to reach out to retirees and seniors across the City. It is offering free admission to seniors 65 and over the first Monday of every month. In addition, the Museum is offering a 10 percent discount on selected items, a free film at 1:00 p.m. and a free guided tour at 3:00 p.m. Tours are available during museum hours for organized group and senior centers. The Ruben Museum opened on October 4, 2004. It is the first museum in the Western World dedicated to the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions. It is located at 15 West 17th Street in Manhattan. Read more about the museum at http://www.rmanyc.org/.
Program Spotlight: Marine Park Active Adults
What makes MPAA so innovative? It is offered two days a week, not in a traditional senior center but at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center, a NYC Parks Department facility. And it offers participants who feel "too young" for a senior center a real alternative through fun-filled sports and fitness activities, with classes and programs that include thai-chi, dancercise, strength training classes, aerobics, tennis classes, golf instruction, fitness walking and a softball team, along with special events such as outdoor bicycling, yoga and even canoeing. "When I first discussed organizing a day of canoe instruction with the Urban Rangers who oversee the Nature Center, I was told that 'seniors will never try it,'" says Joseph Bernardo, director of the program. "But I knew my Active Adults would. I was fighting the kind of group think we need to break free of. The population of younger, healthier seniors is growing, and to keep them healthy we must provide them with active fitness programs. If I could create a free senior gym, it would be the popular place in Brooklyn." The sponsor of MPAA is Millennium Development, a community-based organization that has been providing youth, family and senior programming to the residents of southern Brooklyn for over 15 years. The Active Adults Program is the brainchild of Millennium's Executive Director, Paul Curiale. Millennium sponsors four traditional senior programs, including Abe Star Senior Center, Vandalia, Midwood and Bergen Beach Senior programs, each housing its own Active Adults program. In the past year, all of Millenium's centers have adapted the MPAA program model. The Midwood Senior Center, for example, is now not only referred to as the Midwood Active Adults Program, but it has also undergone a huge resurgence thanks to its new programming. The MPAA program receives discretionary funding from State Senator Mary Golden and City Council member Lew Fidler through the Department for the Aging.
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Have you visited
ACCESS NYC? ACCESS NYC is New York City's public screening tool found
online at 
More than
fifteen hundred New York City seniors will have participated in this
year's Christmas Calls Program, by the time it concludes at Merrill
Lynch's lower Manhattan offices, December 25th. For almost thirty years,
the financial services company Merrill Lynch has made it possible for
seniors around the world to make free telephone calls to distant family
and friends during the holiday season. Merrill Lynch coordinates the New
York event with the Department for the Aging and its non-profit arm, the
Aging in New York Fund.
Instead
of a long and difficult walk to the nearest Post Office, residents of Red
Hook now have a mobile Post Office delivering services right in front of
their local senior center on the second, third and fourth Mondays of every
month. Not only are services closer, but the postal worker on board the
van is enjoying getting to know his clients and vice versa.
Senior
programs have an exciting model in the Marine Park Active Adults Program
(MPAA) of Brooklyn. Begun in 2005 as an experimental education and
recreation program promoting active aging for participants age 55 and
over, the program has registered 1850 participants to date and is growing
by leaps and bounds.