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An independent not-for-profit organization, the New York Citizens' Committee on Aging, Inc. (NYCCoA), addresses the concerns affecting the well-being of New York City’s aging population and works to cultivate solutions through collaborative activities and idea exchange. The Committee is unique, in that its membership is comprised of a diverse group of older and younger City residents, as well as representatives of the nonprofit, government, business, labor, civic and academic communities. For nearly 50 years, the Committee has been considered an innovative leader in aging policy and advocacy.
After many months of accomplishments with limited resources, the Committee became re-energized in 2007. With new staff hired late in 2006, and with the input of five new Board members, more members became active on sub-committees, in development efforts and in special projects. Outreach efforts were expanded, resulting in a four fold increase in attendance at bi-monthly meetings. Fundraising efforts resulted in a sizable grant from the Isaac H. Tuttle Fund in November 2007 and contributions through the Combined Giving Campaign of United Way. We also received continued support from the Brownrigg Charitable Trust, the United Jewish Appeal and individual donors.
The Committee’s new initiative, undertaken late in 2006, to address the critical problem of increasing poverty among New York City’s older population resulted in a seminal report, “Under the Radar: Poverty among Older Adults in New York City”. It showed that New York City’s elderly poverty rate is twice the national average: 20.3% versus 9.9%. Significantly, among the 20 most populous cities, New York is second only to Detroit, Michigan in the percentage of seniors living in poverty. In May the Committee, along with ten collaborating organizations, held a solutions-oriented forum, Under the Radar: Old and Poor in a City of Riches to present its findings on elder poverty in NYC and solicit realistic solutions. The Forum, attended by 200 persons, mobilized the aging and advocacy communities and a follow-up Task Force began work on concrete steps and recommendations for moving forward and alleviating poverty among New York’s elderly population.
In working to achieve its goals and objectives:
- The New York Citizens' Committee on Aging provided an impartial forum to promote the exchange of information among a wide range of agencies and individuals. It sponsored three presentations by experts in their fields related to issues that affect older persons.
- A major solutions oriented forum on elder poverty in New York City: Under the Radar: Old and Poor in a City of Riches was held. A task force was formed and met to prioritize and analyze the recommendations from the forum.
- The Committee’s Public Policy/Program committee analyzed relevant legislation, regulations and their implications for older persons. It published A Policy Agenda for Promoting the Well-Being of New York’s Older Citizens, which contains its position papers. Members presented testimony on various issues before government bodies.
- The Committee collaborated with local and wider coalitions to reinforce initiatives of essential issues affecting older persons, most notably for the forum on elder poverty. It worked with a network of organizations that share common goals, such as the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) and the New York Network for Action on Medicare/Social Security (NYNAM).
- The Committee disseminated pertinent news, analyses and recommendations to its membership, policy makers, experts, and the broader public.
OVERVIEW OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Administrative / Organizational:
With part-time staff, the Committee was able to update its mailing lists, create e-mail distribution lists, and provide support for the elder poverty forum, sub-committees, development efforts and program meetings. As a result, membership for 2007-2008 increased by 71% over 2006-2007, from 41 to 70 paid members. Dues collection increased by 84%, from $3,735 to $6,775 for 2007-2008 membership. And attendance at Program Meetings quadrupled.
A second vice-president of the Board, Jessica Walker, was elected in November 2007. There were four resignations/retirements and two new members were elected to the Board in May and September. Attendance at bi-monthly Board meetings improved significantly; attaining a quorum is no longer an issue. A Branding Committee was formed to draft strategies to make the Committee more visible, identifiable and distinctive.
The Development Committee, which met regularly, was a great support in fundraising efforts, helping to write and review letters of interest and proposals. They also personally contacted or met with potential funders, which helped to secure a large grant from the Tuttle Fund and an additional grant from Brownrigg.
Through its Board of Directors network and its Public Policy/Program sub-committee, the Committee succeeded in obtaining exceptional speakers for its program meetings. A more active role was taken by sub-committee members, developing and presenting testimony, as well as writing letters supporting and endorsing issues prioritized by the Committee.
Program:
In these times of “right sizing” and stringent agency budgets, the task of educating and updating aging providers and professionals about the wide range of issues affecting their clients is often beyond their capacity. We observed this trend in the attendance at our 2007 meetings with 163 persons representing 94 different organizations. Moreover, a survey indicated that over 85% of attendees at our January 2007 program meeting significantly increased their understanding of Medicaid changes affecting their clients; 99% indicated that they would share what they learned with colleagues and clients and over 90% would use what they learned to assist clients. This alone demonstrates the important educational and networking service that the Committee provides to New York City’s aging community: seniors, line staff, executives, policy makers and advocates.
The following Program Meetings for members and the general public were held in 2007:
- January 18, 2007: Attended by 52 persons from 34 organizations.
- Practical Implementation of the Recent Changes in Medicaid and Implications for Long Term Care: Speakers: Gail Gordon, Director of Local District Support, NYS Office of Medicaid Management; Ms. Maria Ortiz-Quesada, Director of Eligibility Information Services for Medical Assistance Program; Medical Insurance & Community Services Administration of New York City (HRA)
- What’s Driving Long Term Care Restructuring in Albany? Speaker: Judith Duhl, Director of Government Affairs, Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
- April 11, 2007: Attended by 107 persons from 72 organizations.
- Meet the new Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (SOFA): Speaker: Michael Burgess, Director of SOFA. An opportunity for the New York City area aging network to meet the new director, learn about his vision for aging services, and hear about how the FY 2008 New York State budget affects seniors.
- November 2, 2007: Attended by 75 persons from 39 organizations.
- Post Forum Update: Speaker: Jessica Walker, Policy Associate, New York Academy of Medicine. A report was given on the efforts of the Committee subsequent to the May 11th Forum on elder poverty.
- Response to the Increasing Poverty Rate among NYC’s Elderly Speakers: Jeffrey Dinowitz, Chair of the NYS Assembly Committee on Aging, Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Chair of the NYC Council Committee on Aging, and Martin J. Golden, Chair of the NYS Senate Committee on Aging.
Public Policy/Program:
The Committee’s Public Policy/Program Committee analyzed legislation and regulations and their implications for older persons. It worked closely with the planning committee for the forum on elder poverty in highlighting the issue of elder poverty in New York City. Members helped write testimony and letters on these issues.
Testimony was presented by members of the Committee on the New York City Department for the Aging’s 2008-2009 Annual Plan at public hearings in three boroughs; and at the New York State Division of the Budget Public Hearings on the 2008-2009 budget.
Initiated by its Public Policy/Program Committee, the Committee had developed position papers that provide leadership in priority areas of housing, health, income and social services, specifically, Social Security, Medicare, Assisted Living, Caregiver Support, Elder Abuse and Long-Term Care. In order to disseminate its positions more effectively, it published these position papers in 2007 as A Policy Agenda for Promoting the Well-Being of New York’s Older Citizens.
The Public Policy/Program Committee also played a key role in identifying topics for the 2007 Program Meetings and in securing speakers.
Other Initiatives:
Initiative to Combat Elder Poverty in New York City: Late in 2006, the New York Citizens’ Committee on Aging launched a vital new initiative aimed at reducing elder poverty. In May 2007, the Committee released a report, Under the Radar: Poverty Among Older Adults in New York City, which analyzed newly-released U.S. Census data to determine the extent of elder poverty in the City. The findings were alarming. The report concluded that among the 20 most populous cities in America, New York is second only to Detroit, Michigan in its percentage of seniors living in poverty (20.3%). In addition, the City’s poverty rate among seniors is double that of seniors nationwide.
An esteemed group of advocates and experts, drawn from among New York City’s non-profit agencies dedicated to alleviating poverty, to issues of aging, to the disabled and/or to minority concerns was assembled to serve on a forum planning committee. They included representatives of the following organizations: Asian American Federation of New York City; East Side House Settlement; 1199 SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds; Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work; Selfhelp Community Services, Inc.; United Neighborhood Houses of New York; VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and Women’s City Club of New York. In addition to the above planners, Citywide Mental Health Coalition for the Black Elderly was a collaborating organization for the forum.
Under the Radar: Old and Poor in a City of Riches, a solutions-oriented forum was held on May 11th in order to present the Committee’s findings on elder poverty in New York City and solicit realistic and specific solutions. The Forum, attended by nearly 200 participants, featured a keynote presentation by State Senator Liz Krueger, a panel of experts, and time for audience members to put forth their ideas for change.
Following the Forum a Task Force to Combat Poverty among NYC’s Elderly was convened from those who indicated at the forum that they wanted to be “part of the solution to alleviate elder poverty in New York City”. A “Consensus Workshop” was held on September 12th attended by 21 persons from 16 organizations, including the director of the New York City Department for the Aging, in order to go through the fifty recommendations that came out of the Forum, analyze and prioritize them. At the meeting seven categories were identified: 1. Housing; 2. Workforce (serving older adults); 3. Existing Safety Net; 4. Subsidies and Benefits (such as SSI); 5. Work Opportunities; 6. Financial Exploitation; and 7. Subjective (attitudes, self-neglect, pride, fear, etc.).
Next steps included: creating Briefing Papers on prioritized issues; holding Round Tables around each of the priority areas; a Final Report and Recommendations in order to push the issue of elder poverty to the front burner. Meanwhile, the Committee worked to incorporate Economic Security in the draft of the Mayor’s Vision Statement for NYC. Jessica Walker presented our findings on elder poverty at a conference of the New York State Statewide Senior Action Council and at the Black & Latino Caucus of the City Council meeting on Senior Housing.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Membership:
The efforts of staff and Board members to update mailing lists and create distribution lists paid off in increased attendance at Program Meetings and the Forum, with a resulting upsurge in membership, which increased by 71% over the previous year, from 41 to 70 paid members. Dues collection increased by 84%, from $3,735 to $6,775 for 2007-2008 membership.
Development/ Fund-Raising:
Registrations for the May Forum totaled $4,455.00, with an additional $800.00 in contributions. Contributions to the 2006 End of Year Appeal received in 2007 totaled $1,220.00; to the 2007 End of Year Appeal received in 2007 totaled $2,410.00; other contributions in 2007 were $762.50, including a contribution from the Combined Giving Campaign of United Way.
The re-energized Development Committee held regular meetings in 2007, helped with identifying sources of funding, reviewing proposals and contacting potential funders. Thus, we received a sizable grant of $25,000.00 in November 2007 from the Isaac H. Tuttle Fund.
The Committee also brainstormed creative fundraising ideas and submitted proposals to various foundations and government officials to support its programmatic activities. The Brownrigg Charitable Trust provided a grant of $2,000.00 and United Jewish Appeal (UJA) a grant of $250.00.
RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT:
In 2008 the New York Citizens’ Committee on Aging will continue to intensify its efforts to build organizational capabilities, update its image and website through new branding strategies, and ensure the future of its mission. It will place special emphasis on expanding its membership to better reflect the needs and communities it serves. It will continue to carry out its Initiative on Elder Poverty in New York City in order to see some concrete action taken on its recommendations.
The Committee is focused and committed to the task at hand and convinced that with the support of its leadership and members and the part time Executive Director and Executive Assistant, the coming year will be even more successful.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS / Officers / Committee Chairs:
In 2007, the Board of Directors met bi-monthly. The following persons served as officers of the organization:
- Peter Gubernick, LMSW, ACSW, President. Administrative Director, NYC Human Resources Administration, Office of Health & Mental Health Services (1986-2001); Consultant to NYS Dept. of Health (2001-2003); Adj. Professor, Fordham Univ. School of Social Service (2004-2004).
- Nancy Miller, MSW, ACSW, Vice-President; Director, VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
- Jessica Walker, Vice-President. Elected November 2007. Policy Associate, Division of Health Policy, New York Academy of Medicine.
- Jean Ovitt, Treasurer.
- Jerry Shroder, Secretary. Part-time Executive Director of NY Citizens’ Committee on Aging from 1993 to 2001; Community Council of Greater NY.
As specified by its by-laws, the Committee nominated and elected two new members to its Board of Directors, while four other members resigned. Four retired members were elected to Emeritus status on the Board.
2007 Committee Chairs:
- James Collins served as Chair of the Public Policy/Program Committee.
- Nancy Miller served as Chair of the Nominating Committee and helped chair the Development Committee.
- Jessica Walker served as Chair of the new Branding Committee.
- Mary Mayer and Jessica Walker served as Co-Chairs of the Forum Planning Committee. Jessica Walker also served as Chair of the Forum Follow-up Committee.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2007:
President
Peter Gubernick
Vice Presidents
Nancy D. Miller, MSW, ACSW
Jessica Walker (11/2007)
Treasurer
Jean Ovitt
Secretary
Jerry A. Shroder
Past Presidents / Chairpersons
Robert L. Popper*
Jean L. Janover
Gertrude Landau*
Helen R. Hamlin, ACSW
Anne Perzeszty
Doris L. Rosenberg*
Marvin Lieberman
* deceased
Emeriti
Jean L. Janover
Mildred Krasnow, M.A.
Daniel Sambol, MSW
Bernard Warach
Board of Directors
Ann Berson**
Kallia Bokser
Diane Borko, ACSW
Suzannah Chandler***
James Collins
Kathleen Fitzgibbons***
Shirley Genn
Helen R. Hamlin, ACSW
Marvin Lieberman, Ph.D.
Mary Mayer
M. Joanna Mellor, DSW**
James O’Neal
Michael Rabin
Clara Reiss**
Daniel Sambol, MSW**
Mignon Sauber, ACSW
** Resigned during 2007
*** New