Community Outreach
Latest Community Outreach News
Going the Extra Mile to Help Behavioral Health Reach More Bronx Children
August 17, 2026–A new 15-person passenger van is helping our Behavioral Health team address a practical challenge facing some Bronx children and their families: getting to the VNS Health programs and services they need. The van will support the STEPS Afterschool and Summer Program, part of VNS Health’s Children and Family Support Programs, as well as our Promise Zone program. These programs provide a range of important after-school and summer services for at-risk youngsters, including psychotherapy, crisis intervention, case management, mental health skills training and connections to community resources. The need for transportation came into focus late last fall, when longtime VNS Health Board member Carl Pforzheimer joined a group of fellow Board members for a visit to our Bronx Behavioral Health Clinic on East 153rd Street. During the tour, the group learned more about how the clinic supports children and teens experiencing mental and emotional health challenges. They also heard about
Catch This Entertaining Video, Featuring Our Amazing Summer Interns!
August 5, 2026–In this upbeat video created by Communications team interns Demi Ajibola and Sophia Fleischer, you’ll hear from many of our 50 summer interns on their experience at VNS Health and what it means to them! Click here below to watch this engaging video! Thank you to all our amazing interns!
Caring for New York’s Veterans, One Stitch at a Time
July 20, 2026–The Prayerful Mantle volunteers on Staten Island have hand-crocheted nearly 1,000 flag-themed blankets for veterans in our Veterans Program. To view this short, very moving video, click here below.
Street-Smart Tips for Staying Cool When the Temp Hits 90+!
July 13, 2026–Here we go again: The forecast for today and the next couple of days is for temps in the 90s! How do you stay cool when it gets so hot, especially when you’re out in the street? We put this question to our field team members who provide care in all kinds of weather, day in and day out, to our patients, members and clients in across New York City, Westchester and Long Island. Here are a few street-smart tips for staying cool from our team members out in the community… Freeze water in a water bottle “I freeze water in a water bottle overnight. I also like to add lemon or cucumber in the water to give it a little taste. I’ll also wear a light-colored t-shirt when I’m outside and then put on my VNS Health-branded top when I arrive at the client’s home.” Lenis McGarrell-ChangleeHome Health Aide,
VNS Health Marches in Pride Celebrations in the Bronx and Manhattan
June 30, 2026–Team members from across the organization were joined by family and friends as they marched to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and celebrate Pride in the Bronx on Saturday, June 20th and in Manhattan on Sunday, June 28. See the photos here below! Bronx Borough President & LGBTQIA+ Task Force Pride March Saturday, June 20 Manhattan Heritage of Pride March Sunday, June 28
The Bronx Times Spotlights VNS Health in Bronx PRIDE Parade Story
June 24, 2026–
“Leadership Unlocked” Graduates Third Cohort of Leaders
June 24, 2026–The third cohort of Leadership Unlocked held its graduation on Tuesday, June 16th. The day marked the successful completion of the 15-week leadership development program. Throughout the program, 15 Vice Presidents and Directors from across the organization deepened their leadership capabilities through interactive learning experiences, coaching, assessments, VNS Health site visits, and internal networking opportunities. The cohort’s final capstone presentations focused on how their understanding of one VNS Health has changed as a result of being in this program, and how they, as leaders, can help move our organization forward. See the photos below! Congratulations to our third cohort graduates: Olga Akturk, Risikat Amolegbe, Ted Barszewski, Brady Brelinski, Lauren Caralyus, Tom Cocozza, Elizer Cooper-Audain, Kyle Crawford, Lissette Felix, Scott Gale, Jody Lee, Chantal Louisma, Grace McGhee, Tazia Myers, and Lynna Paulino-Reyes!
Catch Up Quick: Latest News Briefs Are Here!
June 22, 2026–Across VNS Health, a lot is happening! To help keep you informed and updated, here is our latest batch of News Briefs… Celebrating the Knicks and the World Cup! Photos! On Thursday, June 11, to celebrate the Knicks making history as well as the official start of the World Cup, many team members from all parts of our organization wore either Knicks blue and orange colors or their favorite World Cup team country colors. See the colorful photos here below! “Leadership Unlocked” Graduates Another Cohort of Leaders The third cohort of Leadership Unlocked held its graduation on Tuesday, June 16th. The day marked the successful completion of the 15-week leadership development program. Throughout the program, 15 Vice Presidents and Directors from across the organization deepened their leadership capabilities through interactive learning experiences, coaching, assessments, VNS Health site visits, and internal networking opportunities. The cohort’s final capstone presentations focused on how
Asha Lyons Honored for Advocacy and Impact
June 8, 2026–Congratulations to Asha Lyons, Licensed Social Worker with our Gender Affirmation Program (GAP), on receiving a Proclamation from the Office of the Governor in recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). The honor recognizes Asha’s ongoing leadership, advocacy, and commitment to supporting the transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) community. More congratulations are in order for Asha for also receiving a Proclamation from the New York City Council. Asha was honored with the City Council Pride Award for “her outstanding service and enduring contributions in the LGBTQIA+ community.” See the photos!