Community Outreach
Latest Community Outreach News
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.
How Will the New Administration in Washington Impact Health Care and VNS Health?
January 21, 2025–A new administration in Washington often means new Federal health care policies. With President Trump taking the presidential oath of office yesterday, what changes will there be and how will they affect VNS Health? Frontline put these questions to Dan Lowenstein, Senior Vice President and head of our Government Affairs (GA) team. We now have a new president who’s bringing in his own cabinet, including new leadership in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). What’s your big-picture view on how VNS Health will be impacted by this change? DL: VNS Health has been serving people in their homes and communities for over 130 years, through wars, economic upheaval, natural disasters, public health emergencies—and numerous elected leaders. Each administration will have its priorities, and we will develop relationships and advocate for the interests of our patients, clients and members, just
News12 Brooklyn Spotlights Holiday Chicken Giveaway at Chinatown Community Center
December 23, 2024–
Carlos Londono Speaks with Opcion TV on the Ways the Health Plans Team Support the Community
December 12, 2024–Host: We’re here today With Carlos Londono, to learn how some local organizations are helping our community. Carlos: As a community outreach representative for VNS Health, my team and I focus on caring for the whole person. Today, at the Dominican Medical Center in Upper Manhattan, we are conducting a free turkey giveaway for community members who are in need. Just being there for them the best we can. Within our company, we have different senior programs, and I dedicate myself to providing the community with the support they need. VNS Health also has insurance plans that help people receive medical care at home—no matter where they live in the community. We have different specialized health plans, such as our Medicare plans for vulnerable seniors. VNS Health also is also a home care provider. We are also dedicated to helping homeless individuals, those with mental health issues, the LGBT community,
See How Teams Are Working Together to Improve a Veteran’s Health Care Journey
December 3, 2024–Throughout his life, Samuel Jones,* a Home Care patient who’s also receiving services from our Care Management Organization (CMO) and Veterans Outreach program, has always been someone who cared for others. When asked to describe her father, his daughter, Donna, tells the story of when he was first undergoing radiation therapy for cancer and how he went right back to work at the phone company after the treatment was finished, doing the physical work of climbing telephone poles. “That’s the kind of guy he is,” she says. “Active, independent, humble, never complains, and doesn’t want people to do things for him.” More than 70 years ago, Mr. Jones served in the Korean War. In the citation accompanying the Bronze Star Medal he received for his service, Mr. Jones was praised for his loyalty, genuine humility, courage, common sense and devotion to others. Today, these attributes continue to shine through for