The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

seniors

Aging in Place: A Partnership Helping Make Homes Safe & Secure for Seniors

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Karen Haycox, Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester CEO

As people age, it’s important for them to have a home where they can feel secure, live comfortably, and thrive. With that in mind, Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County in partnership with Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) in White Plains launched Aging in Place (AIP), a program to empower seniors to remain safely and independently in their homes.

“The program serves a very critical and practical need. There are many seniors who don’t have resources to complete simple home repairs that would allow them to age safely in their homes, in their communities, within their network of support, in their declining years,” said Karen Haycox, CEO, Habitat for Humanity NYC/Westchester County. “We see this as an opportunity to stabilize this vulnerable community at a vulnerable time in their lives.”

Habitat partnered with WRO to establish AIP, a home renovation and energy efficiency program for seniors that provides upgrades to improve safety and mobility. It serves homeowners aged 62 and over whose income is 80 percent or less than the area median income and who demonstrate a critical housing need. “Small repairs can make a big difference, such as repairing a loose railing or unsafe steps or finding a better way for seniors to navigate out of the bathtub,” explained Haycox. “We focus our interventions on places where we can make a strategic difference.”

An Acute & Growing Demand

WRO Executive Director Marlene Zarfes

A Westchester County Housing Needs Assessment reported that over 30% of homes throughout Westchester County were built before 1940 and will likely need major repairs and system replacements in addition to physical modifications to mitigate accessibility challenges. “The acute and growing demand for resources that empower seniors to remain safely and independently in their homes was a common refrain. We saw an opportunity to step in and make a difference,” said Haycox. “The mission of Westchester Habitat is to create, preserve, and advocate for healthy, affordable homes for all. We envision a county that’s a national leader in meeting the housing needs of its growing senior population.”

For WRO it has been the perfect collaboration. “We have 55 years of bringing all facets of housing help to vulnerable populations in Westchester, and pairing that with Habitat with their skills is perfect. Our mission is to promote equal, affordable, and accessible housing opportunities for all residents of our region,” said Marlene Zarfes, Executive Director, WRO.

“As our senior population increases, with the number of residents aged 60 or over expected to rise to 25% by 2030, our existing county-wide deficiency of affordable housing for seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes, becomes more acute while the wait for affordable housing grows longer. These funds will help us make necessary aging-in-place repairs that enable seniors to remain safely in their homes while increasing energy efficiency.”

The program targets interior and exterior home repairs, safety improvements, and energy efficiency upgrades. Current services include grab bars/handrails; light switches and door knob replacement; lighting and trip prevention modifications; and accessibility modifications for hearing and vision-impaired homeowners.

Haycox pointed out AIP can offer seniors a positive outlook. “We try to do what we can for these valuable members of society as they age. We aim to improve their quality of life, enabling them to live safely and independently in their homes, close to family and friends, while saving them money and even reducing their carbon footprint,” she said. Zarfes added, “As seniors are aging in place, the home has to be safe and secure. As their mobility and income declines, we need to get involved.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and former U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones also allocated $500,000 in Congressionally appropriated funds in the FY 2023 Omnibus Budget to support seniors in need of these services. “We depend on the commitment of like-minded like-hearted individuals,” said Haycox noting AIP serves as a lifeline to seniors. “We hope people feel Habitat for Humanity is there for them. We will respond to this need as our resources are able, to reach out and provide stability to this community, and we urge people to join us.”

For additional information about the inaugural supporters/partners including the Field Hall Foundation, and to apply for initial AIP accessibility and mobility modifications, write to: AgingInPlace@HabitatNYCWC.org, call (914) 240-7003, or visithabitatnycwc.org/aging-in-place.

Field Hall Announces Summer Grants with Focus on Helping Vulnerable Seniors and their Caregivers

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The Field Hall Foundation announces $240,000 in new grants.  $190,000 has been awarded through its Summer 2020 grant cycle, and will be used to pilot, support and/or expand programs focused on the most basic needs of vulnerable seniors and their caregivers. 

Three full grants have been awarded to:

Family Services, Inc.                                                       

$45,000 – To pilot an Elder Abuse Intervention program which will provide prevention and intervention services for victims of elder abuse

Hudson River Housing, Inc.                                                              

$50,000 – To pilot an Elder Care Services Program that will help homeless and low-income seniors obtain and sustain stable housing

The Osborne Association                                                      

$50,000 – To support and expand their Elder Reentry Initiative in Dutchess County, which helps older, incarcerated adults successfully transition back into the community                             

Five smaller grants were awarded to:

Hillside Food Outreach, Inc.

$10,000 – To increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they purchase and deliver, at no cost, to low-income seniors in Putnam and Westchester counties

Meals on Wheels of Poughkeepsie

$5,000 – To purchase new kitchen equipment that will allow them to meet the increased demand for home delivered meals

North East Community Council, Inc.

$10,000 – To expand their home-delivered food pantry services to older adults in the rural north east section of Dutchess County

Putnam County Office for Senior Resources

$15,000 – To provide free respite services to eligible spouses or relatives caring for older adults at home

WestFair Rides, Inc.

$5,000 – To provide older adults with free livery transportation to/from medical appointments when volunteer drivers are not available.

COVID-19 Emergency Relief grants, totaling $50,000, have also been awarded.  Funding focused primarily on senior food insecurity, personal protection equipment for nursing home staff, and telehealth equipment and services.  Grant recipients include:

Andrus on the Hudson Nursing Home, Bethel Springvale Nursing Home, Cabrini of Westchester Nursing Home, Catholic Charities, Dutchess Responds, EverCare Home Health Agency, Hillside Food Outreach, Maryknoll Sisters, Meals on Wheels of Hyde Park, Neighborhood House, New Jewish Home Sarah Neuman, North East Community Center, Pawling Resource Center, Putnam Community Cares, Putnam COVID-19 Response Fund, Ride Connect, Visiting Nurse Service Westchester, and WestFair Rides.

Going forward, an additional $50,000 has been added to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for programs supporting seniors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since its inception in 2019, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties.  Letters of Inquiry are accepted on an ongoing basis.  For more information visit the Foundation’s website,  http://www.fieldhallfoundation.org

 

Celebrating Greeley’s Senior Class in Style: A Car Parade Filled with Community Love

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Horace Greeley High School Seniors (L-R) Charlotte Templeton, Emma Rosh, Georgia Goldstein

On Friday, June 12,  families, residents and visitors to the town of Chappaqua gathered together to show their love and support for Horace Greeley High School’s 2020 graduating class through an early evening car parade.

While the line of cars made its way down Route 117 and King Street and Greeley Avenue, parents and guardians sat behind the wheel as their seniors stuck their heads out the window or through sunroofs to either wave back at all the well wishers or to simply absorb all of the excitement around them.

Caryn Shapiro, parent of Horace Greeley senior Lily Shapiro, said, “the car parade was a silver lining that came out of this pandemic. It was such an amazing event that brought the whole community together to celebrate our seniors who have lost the fun traditions that make the spring of senior year so special.”

According to Horace Greeley PTA Vice Chair Suzanne Lodge, the Chappaqua PTA worked together with the Chappaqua Central School District and in cooperation with the Town of New Castle and its police department to organize the parade in order to replace the traditional celebrations this year’s graduating class is missing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This led to the senior class car parade.

“We had seen other districts do the same thing but we also wanted to follow New York State guidelines, so I spoke to the New Castle Police Department and they were super supportive,” said Lodge.

Teachers at Horace Greeley High School waving and cheering for the senior class

Lodge managed the event and worked closely with community members, teachers, parents, seniors and the police department to ensure the car parade was well organized and successful.

Seniors and their families slowly began to roll into the Chappaqua train station parking lot around 5 p.m. Students painted the exteriors of the cars to celebrate their accomplishments.

Senior Charlotte Templeton said the car parade was “a great time and fun way to see classmates while celebrating being a senior.”

As more people filed into the parking spots, the noise level and energy built. Once the police officers leading the parade motioned for everyone to head back into their cars, the honking began.

The parade route started at the train station, weaved through town and ended at Horace Greeley High School. Throughout town, members of the community lined the streets with noise-makers, signs and cameras.

Cheers and shouts from community members combined with cars honking created a symphony that brought smiles to seniors’ faces.

When the seniors pulled into the high school, teachers greeted them by honking their horns right back at them and cheering loudly.

Lodge said the PTA advertised the parade in the town superintendent’s note of the week and in the elementary and middle school newsletters this week. The note encouraged community members to come out and cheer for the seniors while wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines.

Community members in town showing their support for the senior class

Senior Lily Shapiro, daughter of Caryn Shapiro, said, “it was so fun to watch the whole town come together for the first time in a while, socially distanced of course, to celebrate the seniors.”

Lisa Kassin, parent of a Horace Greeley junior and college freshman, lined the parade route with her family to cheer on the seniors.

“My family had so much fun watching on Route 117 and cheering for the entire class of 2020. Seeing the smiles on the seniors’ faces while they stood through the sunroofs of their decked out cars was the best part of the parade,” said Kassin.

Before the parade Lodge said, “we are so excited to finally be celebrating these kids, they’ve worked so hard for so long and we were feeling a little disappointed they would not be having their usual accolades but I think Mother Nature agreed that they need a celebration because today is going to be a beautiful day.”

Although “Honk for Seniors” is traditionally held on the first and last days of school at Horace Greeley, this car parade may become a new way of holding the event and celebrating the seniors in the future.

“I think ‘honk for seniors’ may have been more special than ever before, and I think this would be an awesome tradition to have each year,” said Lily Shapiro.

 

Surge in Volunteers Offering to Deliver Groceries to Elderly

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RideConnect will match volunteers with nearby clients and then allow the two parties to make their own appointments. If seniors need volunteers to go to the store for them, then the seniors or their families must make payment arrangements with the stores or give cash to the volunteers to purchase the requested items.

While RideConnect carefully screens the drivers it uses to transport the elderly, it is not screening the grocery volunteers and elderly clients are not supposed to request or accept rides from the volunteers.

“This is a use-at-your-own-risk service. We’re simply trying to help,” said Ganis. “If seniors don’t want to take that risk, they should not. These are people stepping up to help.”

To maintain adequate social distancing, it is recommended that the seniors either leave an envelope with money for the volunteer at their front door or mailbox, or that the senior pay the store directly using a credit card. When groceries are delivered, it is best that they be left outside the front door so that a senior is not exposed to any contagion risk.

Seniors can request a grocery volunteer by calling 914-242-7433. Staff at RideConnect are working remotely, so if no one answers the phone leave a voicemail mentioning requesting grocery help, along with a name, phone number and town.

Yorktown is one of primary communities served by RideConnect. In 2019 the 10-year-old program served more than 2,000 Yorktown residents.

Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater said the volunteer surge demonstrates how residents in Yorktown and surrounding communities are looking out for their neighbors.

“Since this crisis began we have urged our residents to look after each other. Offering to help our senior citizens with grocery shopping is a great way for healthy adults idled by the mass closures of workplaces to get out of the house and help a neighbor,” said Supervisor Slater. “I urge all the volunteers and seniors using this service to practice safe social distancing so that this effort leads to positive outcomes.”

RideConnect director Karen Ganis, kganis@fsw.org or 914-242-7433

Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201

This news is courtesy of Matt Slater and RideConnect

New Castle Town Hall Advisory Boards & Volunteer Opportunities

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The modest building across from the Chappaqua Library on Greeley Avenue is the long-time home of Chappaqua’s Town Hall where multiple departments work to make New Castle a safe, welcoming and smooth running home. The town encourages residents to take full advantage of its services and opportunities–and to become an actively involved citizen too.

The New Castle Town Board is comprised of the Supervisor and four town board members. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, while informal work session meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays. The Town Board adopts and amends local laws regulating the town governance, controls the use of all Town property–except that directly supervised by the Recreation Commission–adopts the annual Town Budget–establishes the tax levy for General, Highway and related funds, and much more.

The Town Administrator oversees the Town’s day-to-day operations and recommendations on personnel matters and prepares the tentative budget for presentation to the Town Board. The Town Administrator is responsible for implementing policy adopted by the Town Board and provides advice and assistance to the Town Board as requested. For complete info about New Castle Town Hall, visit mynewcastle.org.

Opportunities for Seniors

New Castle is proud to note that many residents remain in the community long after the kids have ‘grown and flown.’ The Recreation and Parks Department oversees senior programming to help promote and enhance the quality of life of adults 60 years and over living in the community. Recreation programs, fitness classes and a comprehensive array of supportive services are offered regularly, and encourage both continued independence and involvement in community life. Popular classes at the New Castle Senior Center on Senter Street include artistic pursuits like Watercolor & Drawing and Passport to Active Living daily workouts. Games such as Bridge, Mah Jongg and Poker are another great way to socialize and have fun, and all ability levels are welcome. Music-loving seniors appreciate the free Open Rehearsals of the Chappaqua Orchestra. Lectures, also free, cover topics as far-ranging as classical music to health and fitness. There is even a weekly Pizza ‘n Cinema meet-up featuring vintage and classic films. Senior transportation is available and affordable, and the Senior Watch, a voluntary program open to all, offers peace of mind to those who may not have family or friends available on a regular basis. Further information including the Senter Street Spotlight bi-monthly newsletter: mynewcastle.org/170/Senior-Programs

New Castle Town Camps

Summer is everyone’s favorite season. Longer days, sunshine and warmth, and lots of great outdoor activities make for very happy campers–figuratively, but also literally. New Castle Town Camps are the very definition of happy kid campers. Open to all town recreation residents, there are camp groups for all ages: Tot Camp, designed with young three to five year old children in mind, offers half-day enrollment. Camp Adventure, loaded with fun activities for first through fourth graders, meets at Bell Middle School but includes off-site activities like field trips as well. On-the-Go Camp, for fifth through eighth graders, offers exciting daily excursions to all kinds of kid-approved fun destinations; and the C.I.T program for ninth and tenth graders prepares young teens to move from camper to counselor. There is also a Summer at the Art Center camp for children aged four through seven with a special interest in art. mynewcastle.org/173/Summer-Day-Camps

Recreation and Parks

The Recreation and Parks Department in New Castle is proud to offer something for everyone. Offerings include the finest art workshops in Westchester County along with a wide range of children’s programs from infants to toddlers and preschoolers, as well as a very successful dance program. Looking for camp? The town has a variety of Summer Camps per above for children ages 4 through 8th grade and also Specialty Camps such as Soccer, Lacrosse and Basketball.

Annual events include the adorable Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, a free Fishing Derby and a very challenging 10K & 5K Road Race which traverses the hilly terrain of New Castle. In cooperation with the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, residents enjoy a series of summer concerts at Recreation Field. There are also a fair share of youth sports here in town as well; youth athletic programs include Baseball/Softball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Wrestling and Basketball.

For more info, call 914-238-3909 or visit mynewcastle.org

Volunteering for New Castle

New Castle offers many volunteering opportunities for residents to share their time and skills. The volunteer options allow residents to play an active role in developing town policies, events, and programs. Here are ways to get involved in helping make New Castle the best it can be:

Every Person is Connected

EPIC promotes the inclusion of community members with disabilities through implementing programs, advising the town board, and developing opportunities for those with special needs. The board informs residents with disabilities on the town’s recreational, educational, and social opportunities, and aims to improve their quality of life. Contact: EPIC@mynewcastle.org

Arts & Culture Committee

This committee supports the growth of the arts in New Castle through promoting and proposing events and programming, such as art exhibits, music, dance, theater, and film. The organization meets twice a month and collaborates with the town and third parties to enhance the community’s events and programs dedicated to the arts. NCACC members also research arts programming of interest in neighboring communities and gather feedback on past and future events. Contact: arts@mynewcastle.org

Beautification Board

The board supports and develops programming that enhances the appearance of New Castle, often collaborating with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Beautification Board sponsors the annual Clean-Up Day in April as well as the “Adopt a Bench” program, which commemorates loved ones and special events. Board members also choose holiday lights and décor for the downtown area during wintertime. Contact: BAB@mynewcastle.org

Community Preparedness Committee

The committee facilitates emergency preparedness for severe weather conditions and power outages. Members advise the town board, educate residents on preparing their homes for emergencies, and coordinate volunteer neighborhood emergency teams. Contact: prepare@mynewcastle.org

Health and Wellness Task Force

Health and wellness are high priorities for the citizens of the Town of New Castle. This committee provides the community with educational resources about public health matters and providing support on a wide variety of health and wellness matters.

New Castle for Inclusion & Diversity Committee

The committee promotes the town’s inclusion and diversity goals through programming in New Castle. To create community awareness about differences in others and encourage respect for these qualities, the organization hosts fundraising events and community celebration. It published a book list (prepared by the Chappaqua Library) which celebrates diversity. Contact: inclusion@mynewcastle.org

New Castle Conservation Board

Studies and advises the Town Board and other Town departments, boards and commissions on developing sound open space planning and assuring preservation of natural and scenic resources within the Town of New Castle.  For more information, please contact Dennis Corelli, Town’s Environmental Coordinator at dcorelli@mynewcastle.org

Sustainability Advisory Board

This board’s many tasks include waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and educating residents. A committee advises the board on local construction projects to promote more sustainable practices. Visit www.newcastlesab.org/

Finally, Friends of ChappPac is also a new and vital board supporting the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

For more information about any New Castle advisory board, please visit www.mynewcastle.org/250/Boards-Commissions

Sustainability in Action

The Take It Or Leave It Shed

The shed was first opened over a decade ago by volunteers and the Department of Public Works. Located behind the Shell station on South Greeley Avenue, the Take it or Leave it Shed  is open May through October on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon to coincide with the outdoor season of the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market.

You never know what you’ll find at the shed, but it is guaranteed to be free.

Only New Castle residents can donate to the shed (ID is required) but residents and non-residents are allowed to reap the benefits of the items left behind. Items must be dropped off before 11:30 a.m., and there is a maximum of two carloads of items per family per week, so don’t be tempted to use the shed as your own personal dumpster!

For more information and a list of acceptable items for the shed, visit www.mynewcastle.org or call the Department of Public Works at (914) 238-3968.

Reusable Bag Law

In 2017, New Castle showed the world that every day is earth day when the Reusable Bag Law was officially passed. New Castle became the first town in New York State to adopt a ban/fee hybrid bag law. Under the legislation championed by the New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board, the law eliminates distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags at all stores and requires a 10-cent charge for paper shopping bags at the types of stores that use the most bags–grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.

Every week New Castle saves tens of thousands of bags from entering our waterways and food stream, and littering our parks and roads. This initiative has been so successful that it has served as a model for other Westchester towns seeking to pass similar laws. For more information about this and to see how the Advisory Board is working on changing state and county-wide laws on this issue, visit mynewcastle.org or SAB@mynewcastle.org.

 

The Electric Ride

The Town of New Castle was named the first small community in Westchester County to be designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. A $100,000 grant to the town was used to purchase an electric shuttle which connects Chappaqua Crossing with the Chappaqua Train Station.

 

 Information: Courtesy of The Town of New Castle