Sanders Hosts Trio of Senior Resource Expos

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village) held three Senior Resource Expos simultaneously in different parts of his district on December 16th - Jamaica, South Ozone Park and Far Rockaway. The events were a one-stop shop for information and assistance in the areas of housing, healthcare, finance, transportation and much more.

"The purpose of the senior expos was two-fold, one, to allow our seniors to show that they are still here, alive and kicking, that they have a lot of energy left," Sanders said. "Don’t write them off. Don’t put them out to pasture. They have a lot that they can give. The second reason we are doing this is because some seniors may have a need that is not being met, and we wanted to provide them with assistance."

Each expo featured many of the same resources, but also included variations that made all three unique. At the Jamaica Expo, held at the P.A.L. Edward Byrne Center, the master of ceremonies was radio personality, Fred "Bugsy" Buggs of WBLS 107.5 FM. It also featured free cardiovascular screenings courtesy of Dr. Perry Frankel of Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics. 

There was a panel discussion on topics such as affordable housing and housing alternatives, getting a discounted Metrocard, navigating Access-A-Ride, grants for home repair, and the NYPD's Idea Scale program. There was also a technology workshop led by Curlene Nelson of Nelson Computer Learning Academy. 

The South Ozone Park expo, held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, featured music courtesy of DJ King Cat. The Center For Independence of the Disabled, NY gave free Access-A-Ride qualification assessments, Legal Shield provided free access to a lawyer through the use of a smart phone app, and Chhaya CDC helped attendees with citizenship assistance. 

At the Far Rockaway expo, held at the Beach 41st Street Cornerstone Community Center, we had a true senior success story. An elderly woman with diabetes who was having a difficult time paying $25 a month for insulin through her health insurance company was able to get the cost reduced to $10 a month through a program by Visiting Nurse Services of New York, a featured vendor at the event.

"This woman came to me crying because she was diabetic and needed insulin badly, but was not able to afford it," Senator Sanders said. "Under those conditions, she thought she was just in a world of pain, but she came out to the expo and she found an agency that was able to help her.  After that, she was crying tears of happiness."

Also offered at the Far Rockaway Expo was free on-the-spot legal services through Queens Legal Group and the Legal Aid Society. The NYC Department of Health gave out free condoms, and Seagirt Adult Home Care raffled off free Christmas gifts including watches and perfume sets. 

"I always enjoy meeting my constituents," Sanders said after the day of expos. It’s joyful to see them and learn from them in so many different ways. These events allowed me to bring good friends together."

Featured vendors at the expos included: New York Life, Wells Fargo, AARP, NYC Department for the Aging, Advanced Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Ridgewood Savings Bank, Access-A-Ride, African Holistic Health Chapter of New York, Emblem Health, MTA, NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYS Department of Housing and Urban Development, WBLS 107.5 FM, NYC Human Resources Administration, Rockaway Manor Home Care, Golden Vessels Resource Recreation Center, Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation, Services Now For Adult Persons (SNAP), NYC Department of Small Business Services, Queens Legal Services, Legal Aid Society, Catholic Charities, Heritage Adult Care, Mutual of Omaha, WorkForce 1, PSEG, Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA), State Farm, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Parker Jewish Institute, Chhaya Community Development Corporation, NYPD, the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY, St. John's Episcopal Hospital, NYS Small Business Development Center, City Meals on Wheels, Campaign Against Hunger, the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, Golden Age of Brooklyn LLC Social Adult Day Care Center, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, and Queens Public Library.

We would like to thank our sponsors: Ridgewood Savings Bank, C+C Apartment Management LLC, Wells Fargo and Starbucks.