- BRICA is the Bronx borough-wide
interagency council that represents organizations around the borough that
provide services to older adults.
- ACRIA is the research organization that
did the landmark study on HIV/AIDS and older adults in NYC and documented
that one-third of the HIV+ population in NYC is over the age of 50.
Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
hosted the forum. Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Chair, Committee on
Aging, and Councilman James Vacca, Chair, Subcommittee on Senior Centers,
spoke to the group regarding funding priorities. Councilmembers Oliver Koppell
and Larry Seabrook sent representatives who made comments as well.
CITY BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS
ARE DOWN TO THE WIRE!
THE BUDGET WILL BE DONE WITHIN TWO WEEKS
- Phone calls: It is critical that
seniors and staff contact their Councilmember(s) immediately with the
message –
“Baseline the Basics – restore funds for
senior meals, vans and senior center rent. More money is needed for senior
center rents and HIV educational programs for older adults. Thank you.”
- Paper Cup Campaign: Each senior at
the Bronx Senior Budget forum received a red cup to advocate for fund for
senior center rents. Please go to the next page to see details on our paper
cup campaign. It is very important that you send in paper cups from as
many seniors as possible IMMEDIATELY!
$7 MILLION - SENIOR CENTER RENT PARTY!
PAPER CUP CAMPAIGN
ALL DONATIONS WELCOME!
SENIOR CENTER RENT IMPACTS ALL
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS
- Senior centers throughout the city are
facing rent increases. Unless they receive new funds, they will be forced to
take the money from other parts of the budget cutting services and
personnel.
- The most basic support the city should
provide to senior centers is rent money. City Council allocated $750,000 in
the FY2007 budget for rent. This money is not baselined and additional funds
are needed to meet the need citywide.
- Other senior service organizations like
case management agencies and adult day service programs also need rent
funds.
WHAT YOU CAN DO - PAPER CUP
CAMPAIGN:
- Tape this message on to an 8 ounce cup
– “$7 MILLION – SENIOR CENTER RENT PARTY – ALL DONATIONS WELCOME”
- Tape this on the other side of the cup
– _______ Senior Center, _______ (senior’s name) ______ (senior’s
address)
- Mail or hand deliver them in BULK to
your Councilmember(s) local district office in a manila envelope (please
do not mail cups individually as that would annoy the staff in the
Councilmember’s office). About 25 cups could fit into one manila envelope.
- Include a cover letter from your agency
– Tell the Councilmember that senior centers need rent money to remain
open. If your center needs rent funds, tell the Councilmember how much
money you need. If agencies don’t receive new funds for rent, they will
have to cut services or personnel.
THE MORE CUPS THE BETTER
NEED TO BE DELIVERED IMMEDIATELY!
BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING ON NOW
For further information, please contact
Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565 x226 or bsackman@cscs-ny.org or Rachel Natelson,
x229 or rnatelson@cscs-ny.org
CSCS AND OUR MEMBERS – THE
POWER OF AGING!
