Bedford Park Multi-Service Center For Seniors Citizens Inc

TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE BEDFORD PARK SECTION OF THE BRONX, NY.

THE SISTER ANNUNCIATA BETHELL NEIGHBORHOOD SENIOR CENTER, SPONSORED BY THE BEDFORD PARK MULTI-SERVICE CENTER FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, INC. CONTINUES TO BE A VITAL SOURCE OF QUALITY CARE FOR OVER 40 YEARS TO MORE THAN 250 SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE BRONX. THE SISTER ANNUNCIATA BETHELL SENIOR CENTER CURRENTLY SERVES MORE THAN 60 SENIOR CITIZENS DAILY AND 15% ARE OVER THE AGE OF 90, INCLUDING A CENTENARIAN. MANY OF THOSE WE SERVE FACE A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES SUCH AS FOOD INSECURITY, ELDER ABUSE, POVERTY, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. WE KNOW THAT MANY OF THE STRONGEST PREDICTORS OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FALL OUTSIDE OF THE HEALTHCARE SETTING, THEREFORE THE SUPPORT SERVICES WE PROVIDE ARE MORE VITAL NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, OUR AGENCY PROVIDED MORE THAN 15,500 CONGREGATE LUNCHES, WEEKEND & EMERGENCY MEALS AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, TRANSPORTATION, COUNSELING & CRISIS INTERVENTION, CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE & PREVENTION COUNSELING, INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE WITH ENTITLEMENTS & BENEFITS. IN 1997 A FIRE DESTROYED THE ORIGINAL SENIOR CENTER AND IN 2002 WE RENAMED OUR NEW CENTER THE SISTER ANNUNCIATA BETHELL SENIOR CENTER, A STATE OF THE ART BUILDING WHICH HAS AFFORDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS TECHNOLOGY, NUTRITION EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING DAILY PHYSICAL EXERCISES SUCH AS YOGA, TAI-CHI, AEROBICS, WALKING GROUP, BALANCE & STRENGTHENING EXERCISES AND MIND STIMULATING ACTIVITIES. OUR ARTS & CULTURE ACTIVITIES HAVE ALSO ENHANCED AND STIMULATED THE LIVES OF OUR SENIORS. PARTICIPANTS IN OUR THEATRE GROUP AND ARTS & CRAFTS CLASSES ARE IDENTIFYING A MULTITUDE OF TALENT AND CREATIVITY BEING SHARED WITH THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES.OUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A VARIETY OF HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND ENCOURAGES OUR SENIORS TO FOLLOW A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. WE SERVE HEART HEALTHY MEALS, OFFER NUTRITION EDUCATION LECTURES AND FOCUS ON HEALTH PROMOTION & PREVENTION WORKSHOPS WHICH ARE PROVIDED THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS EDUCATE STAFF AND SENIORS ON HEALTHY EATING, DIET & EXERCISE, DIABETES, HYPERTENSION AND HEART DISEASE. REGISTERED NURSES PROVIDE MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, HEALTH ASSESSMENTS AND A HYPERTENSION CLINIC ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IN ADDITION, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR STAFF AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE DIRECT COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES FOR OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. WE KNOW THAT PREVENTING DISEASE BEFORE IT STARTS IS CRITICAL TO HELPING PEOPLE LIVE LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES AND IT IS THROUGH THESE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE STRIVE TO ENRICH, SUPPORT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. THE SISTER ANNUNCIATA BETHELL SENIOR CENTER HAS EMBRACED AND NURTURED THOSE WHO SEEK OUR CARE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE ENDEAVORS ENCOMPASSES THE VISION AND MISSION OF OUR FOUNDER, THE LATE SR. ANNUNCIATA BETHELL, OSU, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME, A PLACE TO GATHER WITH FRIENDS TO SHARE A MEAL AND SERVE AS A SANCTUARY FROM ISOLATION. THEN WHEN FRAILTY SETS IN WE ARE THERE TO PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT DIFFICULT STAGE OF LIFE.