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This Spring proves to be one of the busiest ever for Selfhelp.
As I reflect on the scope and goals of our endeavors, I share this update with you knowing it is sure to give you a great sense of pride in what we are able to accomplish as we work together.
In just the last few months, Selfhelp: |
- Made great progress preparing for our 75th Anniversary Gala (May 19). We are certain this will be a celebration you will remember for a lifetime.
- Hosted a landmark international conference for Holocaust survivor care experts and caregivers from around the globe.
- Held a press conference so that Selfhelp seniors and elected officials could explain to reporters what the loss of 100+ senior centers would mean to seniors, their friends and the community at large.
- Gained international acclaim for our Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center that makes connections with friends, family and stimulating activities a reality rather than a fading memory for homebound seniors.
- Broke ground for one of the most advanced green senior housing complexes of its kind in the NYC area.
- Held a successful fundraiser for the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program that helps so many of New York’s disadvantaged seniors by protecting their rights, their resources and their peace of mind.
Since there’s so much subject matter for one e-mail, we’ll provide the top-line highlights here, and invite you to go to our website for more detail, information, news clips and photos. Once again, we thank you for your interest and support. And we realize this progress we make would surely not be possible without your help.
Sincerely,
Stuart C. Kaplan
CEO
Selfhelp Community Services
Selfhelp's 75th Anniversary Gala – Save The Date
Thursday, May 19, 2011
6:00 - 10:00PM
Museum of Jewish Heritage
36 Battery Place, NYC
Share this historic milestone with us! Click here to learn more about the 75th Anniversary Gala and how you can help support the 5,200 victims of Nazi persecution who seek assistance from Selfhelp Community Services every year.
Selfhelp Hosts Landmark Symposium on Holocaust Survivor Care
More than 300 professionals came to learn about approaches and new techniques to help support the changing needs of the world’s 600,000 aging Holocaust survivors. The conference was sponsored by Selfhelp in collaboration with UJA-Federation of New York and the Claims Conference. In what has come to be known as the “most comprehensive survivor symposium of its kind,” clinicians and other professionals had an opportunity to exchange views with peers and experts from the US, Israel, Brazil, Canada and Germany.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the Jewish European Post, as well as 17 additional US and international media outlets, quoted symposium director Elihu Kover, Vice President, Selfhelp’s Nazi Victim Services, in advance of the conference: “Our work shows the physical and emotional needs of Holocaust survivors become even more complex as they age. That makes an international exchange like this even more critical as we identify different approaches to assist these aging victims of the worst atrocity of the 20th century and improve everyday lives for the survivors themselves as well as their caregivers.”
More than 300 professionals attended Selfhelp’s international Holocaust survivor care symposium March 29-30 in New York City.
Shown L-R: Elihu Kover, VP, Nazi Victim Services; Saul Kagan, EVP Emeritus, Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany; John Ruskay, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York; Stuart Kaplan, CEO, Selfhelp Community Services. |
News Coverage from Selfhelp's Symposium on Caring for Holocaust Survivors: Click Here
Seniors and Elected Officials Join Forces to Keep Senior Centers Open
“If I our senior center closes, where will I go? Where will I get my next meal?” One elderly woman asked.
Hundreds of seniors from Selfhelp’s Benjamin Rosenthal-Prince Street Senior Center in Queens were on hand as elected officials, State Senator Toby Stavisky and State Assembly Member Grace Meng, told a room brimming with print and television reporters about the disastrous effects that would be felt if New York State budget cuts forced more than 100 senior centers to close. Seniors including Al Lippel spoke from the heart as he explained that the senior center, for many elderly in the community, serves as the “only family these people have.”
Commenting on the situation, Leo Asen, V.P., Senior Communities for Selfhelp Community Services, added, “This is not the first time that budget cuts have threatened the well being of our seniors. It is our duty and responsibility to try to secure the resources that will protect our elderly. It is a well known idiom that the conscience of a nation is perhaps best judged by the manner in which they care for their elders. May the resolution of this issue be one we can all be proud of.”
Fortunately the power of the people prevailed and New York State legislators passed a budget that will allow the senior centers to remain open in 2011.
WPIX TV Senior Center Interviews: Click Here
Queens Chronicle News Coverage, Seniors Fear Loss of Center in Flushing: Click Here
Selfhelp’s Aging Services Technology is International Draw
Although it started simply as a hopeful experiment about 20 months ago, Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center has blossomed into a progressive, life-enhancing experience for homebound seniors that is winning the attention of dignitaries and experts in aging as far away as France and Israel.
Last month Mme. Roselyne Bachelot, France’s Minister of Social Solidarities and Inclusion, and other delegates from France as well as leaders from AARP observed a current events class conducted at Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal-Prince Street Senior Center and “attended” virtually by several of Selfhelp’s homebound seniors as part of the Virtual Senior Center curriculum. Mme. Bachelot said she was particularly impressed by the enthusiastic participation of the seniors. One of her priorities is to identify new approaches that may help enhance the aging experience for seniors in her country.
Representatives from JDC-ESHEL and UJA-Federation of New York also visited our Flushing campus recently and along with the Virtual Senior Center were intrigued by the demonstration of sensor health monitoring utilized in Selfhelp housing.
Several exciting new programs are planned for the year ahead involving alliances with various institutions in the NYC area. These, in part, will be made possible by a grant from UJA-Federation of New York.
Stay tuned…
Selfhelp's Virtual Senior Center: Click Here
Selfhelp Breaks Ground on New Green, Affordable Senior Residence and Community Facility in Flushing
Shown L-R: Evelyn J. Wolff, Vice President, Selfhelp Real Estate Development; Victor A. Wyler, President, Selfhelp Board of Directors; and Stuart C. Kaplan, CEO, Selfhelp Community Services. |
Queens Chronicle News Coverage of Selfhelp's Ground Breaking Ceremony: Click Here
In April, representatives from Selfhelp, the NYC Housing Development Corp (HDC), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Enterprise Community Investment and JPMorgan Chase participated in a groundbreaking for Selfhelp K-VII. The building, to be completed in 2013, will house more than 100 seniors, feature client-centered technology, a shared community facility, a green roof and several additional environmentally friendly features as well as critical community services for residents and the community at large.
"We are grateful to HPD, HDC, JPMorgan Chase and Enterprise for their contributions to this project as it will enable moderate-income seniors to age in place gracefully," noted Selfhelp CEO, Stuart C. Kaplan.
"We are pleased to be part of a team that is providing affordable housing for one of our most vulnerable populations," noted Marc Jahr, President of the NYC HDC.
The building will offer features that promote healthy, energy efficient living, including special lighting, recycled content materials, a green roof and an innovative waste management plan.
The celebratory event also included a tour of the Selfhelp campus of independent living properties and award-winning senior center.
Evelyn Frank Legal Resource Program Benefit – a Smashing Success
Shown L-R: Valerie Bogart, Director of the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program;
David Goldfarb; Gail Sheehy; Ronald Mayer. |
On March 3rd, EFLRP held its annual benefit at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The 180 enthusiastic attendees paid tribute to three individuals singled out for their talent and efforts to improve life for the aging: author Gail Sheehy (Caring for Generations Award), David Goldfarb (Elder Law Attorney of the Year Award) and Ronald Mayer (Pro Bono Award). In presenting the awards, Valerie Bogart, Director of the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program, thanked the awardees for their tireless efforts to protect the rights and resources of the vulnerable.
Supporters of the event surpassed the challenge grant set out by FJC – Foundation of Philanthropic Funds. Proceeds will help provide much-needed legal resources for disadvantaged seniors in the New York City area, at a time when government and private foundations are restricting grants.
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