PROTECTING FREEDOM IN INDO-PACIFIC REGION

Dave Jolly, former chief operating officer for Cornerstone Family Healthcare since 2014, took the helm as its new president and chief operating officer on Jan. 6. He had previously served as commissioner of the Orange County Department of Social Services for eight years and is currently chair of the New York State Association of

Counties, Medicaid and Human Services Resolutions Committee.

“Dave has proven himself to be an exemplary leader with the right combination of sound principals, a patient-centered focus and strategic vision to propel Cornerstone Family Healthcare into its next phase of success,” said Muller, who spent

31 years growing the health-care system. During the three decades of her tenure the facility grew from a single site in the city of Newburgh caring for 5,000 patients to a system that today serves more than 55,000 patients at 24 locations across Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester and Broome counties.

LEGAL HAND CALL-IN CENTER ESTABLISHED

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has opened Westchester County’s first Legal Hand Call-in Center, in partnership with Legal Hand Inc., an innovative community-based service based on the idea of Neighbors helping Neighbors. Legal Hand’s highly trained nonlawyer volunteers are available to community members to help assist them, always at no cost, with issues in the areas of housing, immigration, family issues, public benefits, domestic violence, elderly assistance, estate issues and other challenging life issues.

The virtual Legal Hand Call-In Center will be operated by the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, with the support of Haub law students and community Volunteers. It will provide free legal information, assistance and referrals to community members six days a week via phone, text message, email and chat.

Navy Lt. William Wilkinson from Rockland County leads a damage control team during a firefighting drill aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), which is part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in U.S.

7th Fleet conducting routine operations. The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy‘s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“Our Legal Hand Volunteers are highly trained law students and community members who care deeply about understanding the issues facing Westchester individuals and families and empowering them by connecting them to resources and information that can help.” said Elyse Diamond, director of the Public Interest

Law Center and Access to Justice Project, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law. Center Attorney Stephanie Costa said, “we are excited to provide this free service to the Westchester community and empower folks to take control of the issues that impact their everyday lives.

Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law offers Juris Doctorate and Masters of Law degrees in both Environmental and International Law, as well as a

Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law.

Legal Hand is a nonprofit organization providing support for communities since 2015. Originating in New York City, Legal Hand’s proven community-based model has helped thousands of people in need.

For Call-In Center assistance, call or text 914-425-5483 or visit Westchesterhelp@legalhand.org.

How To Replace Pain And Suffering

Trinity Spiritual Center, 651 Pequot Ave. in Southport will host an in-person and livestream event with renowned Episcopal priest, author and retreat leader Stuart Higginbotham for an engaging look at how Buddhist meditation techniques can enrich Christian contemplative practice.

On Friday, Feb. 10 over dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will explore visualization techniques that both traditions use to nurture awareness of one’s core essence: the reality that is at the heart of existence. Drawing on Christian and Buddhist texts and images, Higginbotham will explore how our impulse to hold onto a more limited construction of our own being feeds discomfort in life and how a fuller awareness of our own presence — the Light of Life — is the key to personal fulfillment.

Higginbotham is an Episcopal priest, writer and retreat leader working to renew the Christian Wisdom tradition. He serves as rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia.

The day-long retreat is the 10th in a series of workshops that Trinity Spiritual Center has organized over the past two years inviting people of all faiths — or none at all — to focus on expanding their understanding of contemplative practices drawn from all wisdom traditions that are relevant to contemporary lives.

Trinity Spiritual Center Director Mark Grayson. “He (Higginbotham) has a gift for translating ancient wisdom in contemporary tools that all seekers can integrate into our daily lives, so that grace might enter to replace our own pain and suffering with contentment, love and joy.”

There is a $40 fee for the event that includes dinner and lunch. Register at https://stuarthigginbothamworkshop. eventbrite.com/

Volunteer Spirit Awardee Is Chosen

Volunteer New York! will honor Joseph D. Roberto, former chairman, president and CEO of PCSB Bank, with its Legacy Award at its 43rd annual Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit presented by Regeneron at the Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, on Friday, May 5, from 8 to 10 a.m. with a free postevent networking component for guests. During the celebration, VNY! will recognize six additional individuals and groups for the difference they are making in the community. The Legacy Award goes to a business or civic leader who has made a personal and professional commitment to volunteerism, has significantly supported the values and mission of Volunteer New York! and who encourages deep employee and community engagement in service.

Throughout his more than 48 years of financial management and executive positions in the banking industry, Roberto has demonstrated an ability to execute strategies to improve operations, increase profitability and successfully guide organizations through rapidly changing environments. While leading one of the lower Hudson Valley’s top commercial banks, Roberto advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and advocated for the support of various nonprofits that deeply impact both employees and the communities they serve.

“Our Legacy Award not only represents all that an honoree has already done, but also brings hope and intentionality to their present and the impact they will continue to have on the community,” said Jeanette Gisbert, executive director, Volunteer New York!.

Actively involved in various organizations in both Putnam and Westchester counties, Roberto currently serving on the boards of the Putnam Economic Development Committee, the Putnam Hospital Center Foundation, the Westchester County Association, the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon, the Corporate Council of St. Christopher’s Inn and served on the 2022 Benefit Committee for Volunteer New York!, Association of Development Officers, White Plains, and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam counties.

For more than 70 years, Volunteer New York! has encouraged adults to serve, youth to build character, families to bond, young professionals to lead, mature adults to share their wisdom and businesses to engage through volunteerism.

Tickets, congratulatory journal ads and event sponsorship opportunities are available at: volunteernewyork.org/ awards. For all event inquiries, contact Matt Soper at 914-227-9307 or matt@volunteernewyork.org

Far From Home

stroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) while operating in the Philippine Sea on Jan. 23. The destroyer is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroy- er Squadron, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed frigate responsible for training, equipping and administering its ships.