Community Outreach
Latest Community Outreach News
Gala Celebrates Chinese American Nurses—Including Our Own Christine Lee
June 24, 2025–On May 9th, VNS Health was a proud sponsor of the annual Chinese American Nurses Association (CANA) Gala. The event, timed to coincide with National Nurses Month, brought together healthcare professionals from across the region to celebrate the contributions of Chinese American nurses, support community health services, and advocate for the well-being of nurses and the communities they serve. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Christine Lee, a VNS Health Chinatown NNORC nurse and CANA board member, who received the Passionate in Community Health Award in honor of her outstanding commitment to advancing health and wellness in the community.
Honoring Our Chinatown NNORC and Community Center Volunteers
June 24, 2025–On April 25th, VNS Health’s Chinatown NNORC and Chinatown Community Center celebrated their dedicated volunteers at their Annual Volunteer Recognition Party. Since 2009, this event has recognized volunteers who provide vital support to older adults in the community by teaching classes, assisting in the office, providing telephone reassurance, and crafting handmade items, including knitted scarves donated to VNS Health’s Behavioral Health ACT Program. The event featured heartfelt speeches from Deborah Stricoff, Associate Director, Program Development, and Teresa Lin, Vice President, Cultural Market Development. Volunteers were also honored by community partners who donated thoughtful gifts such as water bottles and lunch bags. “It was a wonderful event—our volunteers felt truly seen and appreciated,” reports Teresa. See the photos below!
VNS Health Golf Classic Raises Over $250K for Veterans Program
June 24, 2025–The VNS Health 2025 Golf Classic took place in May at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk, New York. The event had a sold-out field of 128 registered golfers and raised nearly $252,000 for VNS Health’s Veterans Program. A big “thank you” to Kerry Parker, EVP and Chief Legal and Risk Officer, for co-chairing the event once again along with Board member Ray Falci. Unfortunately, this will be Kerry’s last year serving in this position, as he is retiring at the end of this year. During his years as Co-Chair, the event has raised over $2 million to support the Veterans Program. See the Photos!
125 VNS Health Kids Enjoy “Bring Your Child to Work Day”—See the Photos!
May 5, 2025–If you were in our offices at 220 East 42nd Street or 5 Penn Plaza on April 24th, you might have noticed some unusually young team members on the premises. You weren’t imagining things—but then again, those weren’t actually VNS Health employees. This was “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” and many of our team members did exactly that, inviting 125 of their kids to spend the day at their workplace. For the children in attendance, it was a day of learning about health care and the organization in fun and creative ways. Following breakfast, attendees could choose from a menu of activities that included a scavenger hunt, various healthcare demos—where kids could watch a nurse removing staples from a simulated “leg,” as well as demonstrations of occupational therapy in action and how breathing and swallowing issues are managed—plus a presentation on healthcare careers. Lunch featured pizza, ice cream and
VNS Health Receives $1.1 Million in Mother Cabrini Grants
April 1, 2025–VNS Health has been awarded two generous grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, totaling $1.1 million. A $500,000 grant will support our Safety and Security Escort Program, which helps expand access to care by provides escorts for frontline clinicians making home visits in neighborhoods where security is a concern. Additionally, a $600,000 grant will fund our Veterans Outreach Program in 2025 and 2026, enhancing outreach efforts to underserved veterans and their families across New York State and ensuring they receive the health care and benefits they deserve.
Our VNS Health Experts Testify in Support of Behavioral Health and Veterans Programs
March 31, 2025–As New York City (NYC) prepares its budget for 2026, Deirdre DeLeo, Director of Behavioral Health, testified on March 24th to the NYC Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction in support of VNS Health’s Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI) and Promise Zone Initiatives. And on March 25th, Contessa Officer, Director of Veterans Programs, testified to the Council’s Committee on Veterans, advocating for funding to sustain and extend the programs’ outreach and connect more veterans to care in 2026.
The Queens Times Spotlights Lunar New Year Celebration at Flushing Community Center
February 20, 2025–
RN and Care Coordinator Edleen Sarette-Exama Provides Health Tips in The Bronx Voice for American Heart Month
February 18, 2025–
Celebrating the Year of the Dragon: Lunar New Year Events Bring Fun, Festivities, and Togetherness
February 10, 2025–In late January, VNS Health ushered in the Lunar New Year with lively celebrations at our Chinatown, Flushing, and Sunset Park Community Centers. The events featured traditional foods and games, as well as a special calligraphy artist—all helping to bring cheer and ensure good luck in the coming year for the many community residents served by VNS Health.