Community Outreach
Latest Community Outreach News
NY1 Noticias Shares Stories of Thanks at Annual Health Plans Turkey Giveaway
November 21, 2023–English Transcript: Transcript: Anchor: Due to the difficult economic situation faced by many New Yorkers, hundreds of people in upper Manhattan received free turkeys a week before Thanksgiving. Reporter Jean Paul Dávila was there to hear from them, as they tell us what they are grateful for this year. Reporter: As the rhythm of the music played, José Rafael Tabárez took a few steps. He told us he was thankful for many things, and not just for the free turkey. José Rafael Tabárez: Well, I am grateful for many things. I had cancer and recovered. I also have opportunities to get a turkey here. Reporter: Thanksgiving is just days away, and the Dominican Medical Center and VNS Health delivered more than 300 turkeys to the community. In many cases, people in the community do not have enough to buy the ingredients for Thursday’s dinner. With a turkey the whole family
Senior Community Center Coordinator Christine Chan Shares Heartwarming Story of Family Her Team Helped Thrive
October 24, 2023–
Our VNS Health Experts Testify … Bills Get Passed, Programs Get Funded!
August 22, 2023–Vulnerable New Yorkers, including those living with mental illness as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, will have more support and better access to care in New York City, thanks in part to the recent testimony of VNS Health experts and the mission-driven advocacy of our Government Affairs team. The Need: Improve access to community-based behavioral health services throughout New York City. VNS Health Expert: Jessica Fear, Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health Jessica’s Testimony: In May, Jessica testified to the City Council’s Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addictions to advocate for the people VNS Health serves every day. “The individuals and families we serve are no different from you and me, except they exhibit a higher incidence of trauma, anxiety, and depression,” Jessica told the committee. “They often need assistance accessing benefits and basic necessities such as housing, food, and medication.” As Jessica noted in her testimony,
Neighborhood Spotlight: Our Mission Is Alive and Well in New York’s Chinese American Communities!
August 9, 2023–Through the streets of Chinatown, Sunset Park and Flushing, this video celebrates some of New York’s most distinctive cultural treasures—and the care that VNS Health team members have been providing to the Chinese American community for nearly two decades. Watch our Community Center teams in action here below! A special thank you to team members Barbara Yau and John Wong for providing the English voices for Mrs. Leong and Mr. Mo.
Contessa Officer, Director of Veterans Programs Joins BronxNet to Speak to the Importance of Supporting Veterans and Their Families
June 14, 2023–
Scripps Publishes Story on the Dedicated Chinatown NNORC team, featuring Social Worker Wai Kiu Man and Chinatown NNORC Manager Helen Sit
May 30, 2023–
Community Collaborations Hosts a Webinar on “Happiness”
March 16, 2023–On Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 3:30 – 4:30 PM, VNS Health’s Community Collaborations will host a presentation on “Happiness.” How do you define happiness? Does happiness mean you have to be happy all the time? Learn how allowing yourself to feel all your emotions can contribute to happiness and overall well-being. We’ll look at what happiness is, where you can find it, and stuff that affects it. Click here or use the following link to register for the presentation: https://vnshealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MkYcT4pBSDCE9ebQ-yENWQ. For more information contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit the Community Collaborations website at https://www.vnshealth.org/in-the-community/events/.
Volunteer with VNS Health Cares in a Shoreline Cleanup at Canarsie Pier on March 25th
March 16, 2023–Join VNS Health Cares and volunteer in a Shoreline Cleanup at Canarsie Pier on March 25th, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. VNS Health team members will join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, Assemblymember Jaime R. Williams and Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse for a shoreline cleanup at Canarsie Pier. Volunteers will help remove trash and debris from Canarsie Pier’s important shorelines while enjoying incredible views of Jamaica Bay! Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine. How to Sign Up to Volunteer: To sign up, click here. Once you have signed up, click here to complete the required VNS Health Cares Volunteer form.
Opening of New Flushing Community Center Makes Front Page of the Queens Times
December 22, 2022–