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Happy Women's History Month!
New York has a long list of women who have achieved great accomplishments and helped create a more equal and just society. That’s why every March we celebrate Women’s History Month and pay tribute to historic women like Sojourner Truth, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman Bella Azbug and so many others, and also honor women who continue to break down barriers today.
Many of the women who continue this progress include older adult women like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is the first woman of color to sit in the Supreme Court, Governor Kathy Hochul, who in her sixties is leading New York state, and Attorney General Letitia James, who is the first African American and first woman to be elected to that office. At the local level we have City Councilmember Adrienne E. Adams, a proud grandmother who was elected by her colleagues to be their speaker.
This Women’s History Month let’s remember that women, of all ages, race and creed, are continuing to contribute to our society and are moving New York forward.
Learn more about Women's History Month by clicking here.
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A Message from the Commissioner
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Dear Colleagues,
As the sun starts to set later in the day and the temperature starts to rise, we can see that spring is around the corner. It is exciting to see the trees start to blossom and COVID-19 cases continuing to decrease -- our city is starting to heal.
In addition to ushering spring, March is the time of year to celebrate Women's History Month.
Throughout history, women have taken incredible strides to create a better world. But there is still much work to be done. Just as generations of women before us broke down glass ceilings and barriers, many women leaders today are showing that age does not matter, and experience and knowledge are always advantages to implement the changes we want to see in our workplaces and communities. We commemorate these historic women and acknowledge the ongoing contributions of current women of all ages.
Across the city, we continue our work in protecting New Yorkers from COVID-19. It's been two years since the pandemic upended our lives. And while the darkest days of the pandemic are mostly behind us, getting vaccinated continues to be as important as ever. This month, Older Adult Centers are hosting COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for anyone free of charge and clinics are still open providing the same service. Click here to find the closest testing site to you.
Lastly, we encourage you to go out, enjoy the spring weather and visit your local senior center. Older adult centers like Vandalia Older Adult Center in East New York, which you can read more about in this newsletter, offer fun virtual and in-person activities and nutritious meals.
Stay Safe and Happy Spring!
Until next month,
Lorraine
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Foster Grandparents Volunteer to Pack Kits for Pediatric Patients
This week, nearly 100 volunteers from our Foster Grandparents program visited our offices to pack activity kits for children and teens in local hospitals and long-term care facilities. The volunteer project was done during Americorps Week with Project Sunshine, a nonprofit organization that offers support and activity programs to pediatric patients.
The Activity Kits included developmentally specific activities, as well as a blank journal for creative expression, note taking, and thoughts of the day. The materials are meant to spark joy and provide therapeutic value to the physical and emotional healing process.
The Department for the Aging offers many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. You can learn more about volunteering here!
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Older Adult Centers Host Mobile Covid-19 Vaccination & Testing Sites
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers from COVID-19, older adult centers in our network have been hosting mobile vaccine and testing sites. Participating centers like, Arturo Schomburg in Morrisania, Hugh Gilvoy in Crown Heights, and PSS Kings Tower in Harlem (pictured above) hosted the mobile sites for a week in February and earlier this month.
The mobile teams offer both vaccination (Moderna or Pfizer 12) and testing (Rapid Antigen + PCR), with services available to residents and the general public at no cost, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Older Adult Centers and Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) are still hosting testing and vaccinations mobile sites. Below are sites for this week:
March 14th - 18th - Queensview NORC, 33 34th St, Astoria
March 14th - 18th - Robert Couche Senior Center, 137-57 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens
Please make sure you spread the word to protect NYC against COVID-19!
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Vandalia Older Adult Center
The Vandalia Older Adult Center provides older adults in East New York with fun activities, both virtually and in-person. Programs and activities include a wide array of games, activities, group meetings, and exercise activities like Zumba.
There are also community clubs to join like Vandalia Sensational Seniors , a knitting group who meets every week to provide knits to homeless shelters.
For more information about Vandalia Older Adult Center and their calendar of events, visit their website.
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HIICAP Medicare Orientation Session
If you're new to Medicare, or plan on enrolling soon, join us for a free Medicare Orientation session.
The class includes information on Medicare Part A and Part B, Medigap/Medicare Supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D, EPIC and the Medicare Savings Programs. Register for free for the next Medicare Orientation Session:
Thursday, March 24th from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
If you have a question about changing plans, please call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) and ask for HIICAP for information about which plans might work best for you. |
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Fire Education Safety Program Available for Centers
The City Fire Department's Fire Safety Education Unit offers free education programs to schools and community centers in all five boroughs. The goal of the Fire Safety Education Program is to eliminate residential fire deaths in New York City. Fire deaths have dropped steadily during the past decades and studies have shown that there is a direct link to strong public education programs.
The program includes:
- Presentations at local schools and community centers in New York City.
- Planned visits to New York City firehouses or EMS stations.
- Hands-on practice inside the Department's Mobile Fire Safety Experience Trailer.
- Community outreach at events, such as street fairs, parades and more.
- Visits from Hotdog, the FDNY fire safety mascot, or Siren, the FDNY life safety mascot.
To request a presentation, visit FDNY Smart.
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Updates and Announcements
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New York City is offering in-home COVID19 vaccinations to all New Yorkers.
Any New Yorker requesting in-home vaccination will now have the option to request their vaccine brand preference (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson). Visit nyc.gov/homevaccine to register.
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Getting a COVID-19 test is easy, safe, and free.
By getting tested, you can help protect your older friends, neighbors, and loved ones stay safe, and stop the spread of COVID-19 to help our city move into the next phase of opening.
To find a testing site near you, visit nyc.gov/covidtest.
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You can now apply to receive SNAP from home! Using your phone or computer web browser, you can #SkiptheTrip to apply for SNAP while staying safe and healthy inside. Visit http://nyc.gov/accesshra to apply.
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Want more information about our services?
Visit our website or call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) for more information, including:
- Services throughout the five boroughs
- How to find a senior center near you
- Announcements, press releases and reports
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