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SPOTLIGHT: When you are looking for CARE AND SERVICES for SENIOR ADULTS | | While 'baby boomers' in their 60's may be retiring, retooling and having more time for themselves and their families, many are experiencing the unanticipated stress of caring for frail, elderly parents. A recent NY Times article citing both satisfaction and depression among mid-lifers indicated that people in middle age are coping with "the double burden of caring for children and for aging parents whose lifespans are increasing." It is certainly a blessing to have our loved ones with us into advanced age, but the challenges of juggling everyone's lives are sometimes complicated and bewildering.
Where to turn? How to get help?
The newest edition of our Guide to Senior Programs and Services is a great start for families seeking direction, home care supports and specialty services. WJCS has a full range of programs and services that can assist seniors and their loved ones as they deal with issues of later life.
 Often, a Geriatric Care Manager can be part of the process that gets a family back on an even keel. The care manager meets with the family and senior to develop an individualized care plan and provide comprehensive assistance that could include coordination of care supports, information about housing options and nursing homes and referrals to resources such as home care, medical, legal and financial experts. If family members live out of town, the care manager can be the local eyes and ears to alert loved ones of potential issues.
Respite support can also be tremendous in relieving caregiver stress. Taking a few hours for oneself for personal or business appointments, exercise or socializing is a healthy way to maintain one's own relationships and keep an upbeat perspective. Project Time Out matches carefully screened, experienced and trained providers with families to offer relief from caregiving responsibilities on a flexible day, evening or overnight basis. When full-time or live-in household management and home care is necessary, WJCS' Home Health Services can assist with caring home health and personal care aides. Our clients may also be eligible for fall prevention equipment to assure home safety. For people facing terminal illness, bereavement issues and the trauma of loss at any stage, we also offer comprehensive counseling and group supports.
Today, communities county-wide are exploring ways to better accommodate the needs of families as people age and seek supports in their home environments. WJCS is active in coalitions designed to create "livable communities" that enhance life experiences, ease transportation issues and increase socialization opportunities so people can enjoy their later years with less stress and more joy.
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| SURVEY SAYS...
Social Networking -- Not Yet! | |
FRIEND US ON Facebook? FOLLOW US ON Twitter?
There are so many ways to connect these days yet 60% of respondents to a recent WJCS survey on Social Networking sites indicated little or no interest in engaging with non-profit organizations through such venues. Reflecting the views of people primarily ages 45+, only 30% of the respondents thought a WJCS Facebook page would be useful in updating them about new developments at the agency. Of those, most felt that new programs, workshops in the community and items in the news about WJCS would be the kind of information that would be helpful. WJCS has activated a Facebook page but we are not yet inviting friends!
What are your thoughts? Click here to let us know whether or not you think Facebook is a medium through which you would like to be notified of WJCS' activities. Your comments will help us decide where to put our communication efforts in the future. |
| Mary J. Blige Center Participants on the Go |  **Staff and participant repre-sentatives (pictured left) from the WJCS Mary J. Blige Center for Women attended a FFAWN fundraising event on June 17th at Cipriani in Manhattan. **As part of the ABC-TV "Good Morning America Concert Series," Mary J. Blige performed in Central Park on Friday, July 2 to a crowd of thousands. In the VIP section were the women from our MJB Center with a large banner and lots of spirit.  **With assistance from the Greyston Foundation and Groundwork Hudson Valley, MJB participants have cleared property owned by Westhab and created a garden in which they are growing vegetables, herbs and flowers that they will tend throughout the summer and fall. Click here to read more. **Mary J. Blige is launching a new fragrance, My Life, in conjunction with the Home Shopping Network. 90% of the proceeds raised from sales of the perfume will go to FFAWN to support the WJCS MJB Center for Women in Yonkers. To learn more about the Center, contact Michelle Hammett at 914-965-9140. |
| Women-Helping-Women Focuses on Job Search |  With funding from the Leir Charitable Foundations, Women-Helping-Women (W-H-W) has offered workshops to help women displaced by the economic crisis to hone job search skills and connect with each other for support and networking. On July 28th from 9:30-11:30 AM, a third free LinkedIn Workshop for unemployed women will be held at WJCS Headquarters. Robin Messer, Vice President of Creative Services for CRM Associates Ltd., will teach participants to use LinkedIn to maximize their job seeking efforts. REGISTRATION is REQUIRED. A Job Fair, planned in conjunction with Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, is also planned for September 15th at the Greenburgh Library. For information about W-H-W, contact Lenore Rosenbaum at 914-761-0600 ext. 308. |
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Jewish Healing Center Fall Calendar Available |  Whether you are interested in pursuing a spiritual journey to find forgiveness, direction or the solace of meditation, the Jewish Spiritual Healing Center, under the guidance of Rabbi Pamela Wax, WJCS' Spiritual Care Coordinator, offers a range of workshops, support groups and healing services to light the way. This Fall, multi-session workshops will also explore writing spiritual memoirs and learning to sanctify daily lives. Support groups will help people facing parental loss, separation or divorce and difficult sibling relationships. Click here for the complete brochure or contact Rabbi Wax at 914-761-0600 ext. 149. |
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WHAT WE NEED NOW!  The Back to School Clothes for Kids Drive is geared up for the coming school season and DESPERATELY needs donations of items, monetary contributions and gift cards for Old Navy, Target, Kohl's and Footlocker (gift cards may be ordered on-line with GoodShop -see above). The Drive, in which WJCS has participated since 2002, helps nearly 1500 children served by WJCS to start the year with new clothing and school supplies. Corporations and individuals can participate - and families are encouraged to assist with Teen Shopping Nights. Click here for a response form and details or contact Meryl Lewis at 914-761-0600 ext. 222. |
| Megan Flynn becomes Asst . Exec. Director |  Megan Flynn, PhD, has assumed the position of Assistant Executive Director for Community Based Services as of mid-July. Taking over for Linda Breton, who retired July 16 after 12 illustrious years with WJCS, Dr. Flynn, formerly Director of Children and Family Services, will oversee a range of programs and services in schools and community sites. |
| 200 Attend Center Lane's 15th GAY PROM |  The "Red Carpet" was rolled out for this year's 15th Annual Gay Prom with a Hollywood theme at the Polish Community Center in Yonkers. Drawing more than 200 teens from all over the county, the event enables young people to enjoy an evening of music, dancing among peers. First established in 1996 when a dozen youth attended, the dance now attracts hundreds of LGBTQ youth and their straight allies from communities Westchester-wide. Center Lane provides a comfortable and supportive environment for young people who are gay or questioning. Click here to read Journal News coverage of the Prom. For information about Center Lane's programs, contact James Stewart at 914-358-1006. |
| County Exec Astorino Visits WJCS' Yonkers Programs |
County Executive Rob Astorino recently visited WJCS sites to learn more about our agency services. After getting briefed about the Treatment Center for Trauma and Abuse and services for people with developmental disabilities at the Yonkers Family Mental Health Clinic, he and Director of Community Services Diane Balistreri met women in a GED class at the Mary J. Blige Center for Women and participants in the Early Step Forward/Building Better Beginnings program for very young children. Last stop was KICS at the Martin Luther King Elementary School where 3 parents explained how their children had benefited from mental health and supportive services provided on-site at the school.
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