Editor-in-Chief
Lew Koflowitz
Executive Editor
Wendy Armstrong
Newsletter Committee Advisors
Cheryl Brandwein
Jacqueline Cannino
Charling Fagan
Haruko Stanton
Ruby Whitman
I can’t stop smiling! Why?
We are witnessing a Rebirth (a renaissance or revival). While our stations continue to increase and promote their volunteer opportunities, we are seeing an uptick in interest from new senior friends looking to volunteer in our County. Happily, our current RSVP members, too, are finding their way back to their old volunteer haunts and can’t wait to get started again. RSVP of Westchester’s impact is returning to its pre-pandemic ways!
All rights reserved ©2023
Publisher: Volunteer New York!
220 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
c/o Alex Acaro
vol@volunteernewyork.org
Volunteer New York! is an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee that has been host of the RSVP program in Westchester for over 50 years. Thank you to the tens of thousands of RSVP of Westchester members who have served since 1972.
Additional support for RSVP of Westchester is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, New York State Office for the Aging, and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.
To learn more or to join RSVP visit volunteernewyork.org/adults
As with spring promising its arrival in a few weeks (isn’t that what Punxsutawney Phil indicated on February 2nd?), the pages of this issue will highlight superb examples of this time of renewal. Wartburg’s volunteer program has really blossomed, as evidenced by their strong need for volunteers to support events and celebrations, participate in recreational activities and friendly visits with residents, and more! We see the same sort of “popping” in opportunities at Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), DOROT, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, as you’ll read in one of the articles. Our efforts to address lost learning through the American Rescue Plan grant, have truly kicked into gear as well. Can’t you just sense the positivity that abounds in our community?
A couple of RSVP members have taken time to share their personal volunteer stories with us in this issue, too. I so enjoy getting to know you RSVP members – through your writing and through your work.
Speaking of new beginnings, by the time you will have received this newsletter, I will have started a new position. In my new role, I will have the good fortune of continuing to work with volunteers while improving our local community, just as I have been with you. Our collaboration has been one of my greatest joys. I can’t thank you enough for your deep caring and dedication to our neighbors.
With warmth,
Wendy Armstrong Director, RSVP of Westchester Volunteer New York!
wendy@volunteernewyork.org
914-227-9318
In December, we visited the YAI volunteers, who create handmade birthday cards for you, to thank them in person. The joy they feel in creating these cards is so evident in how many times they thanked us for the opportunity!
The last time RSVP stations gathered together was in March 2020 on Zoom (just prior to the Covid shutdown, when we didn’t even know what Zoom was or how it worked! And now it’s a verb!) We finally got together in person on Wednesday morning, February 8th, 2023 in the Westchester Library System’s conference room. Gosh, we enjoyed seeing all of you! Everyone shared in noshing and networking prior to the business portion. Elena Falcone and Krishna Brodigan of WLS took us through an interactive session teaching us about the Harwood Institute methodology. THANK YOU, WLS, FOR BEING SUCH A WORTHY PARTNER! Please enjoy the photos from the event!
With Covid on the wane, volunteering opportunities have been opening up at a more rapid pace in early 2023. We see this in the increasing number of requests and listings from our stations. And we see it in the stories told in this issue of You’re Invited: RSVP. Wendy Armstrong, RSVP Director, summarizes some of these stories in her Director’s Letter in this issue.
Our stable of writers, too, is gradually increasing, as this semi-annual newsletter has become required reading for members who want to keep up with developments in our RSVP of Westchester community. For instance, Ruby Whitman writes in this issue about her “rebirth” in becoming an RSVP volunteer. Haruko Stanton, our volunteer chair yoga instructor, is also a first-time writer for us, with her story of how she became a fitness instructor and immigrated to the U.S. from Japan.
This is an organization of volunteers, and we look forward to hearing from you about your individual stories of volunteerism in our community. You can contact me at lewkof@hotmail.com, or Wendy Armstrong at wendy@volunteernewyork.org
So read this issue in the spirit of volunteering which we all share.
Lew Koflowitz
Ruby Whitman, who joined RSVP during the pandemic, brings with her a wealth of experience working with people from all walks of life. She was born in the Bronx and grew up in Queens, attended local schools and received her master’s degree in Sociology from Hunter College.
Now 75, Ruby retired as a school social worker in Ossining at age 68, when she began volunteering with Open Door Family Medical Center’s “Reach Out and Read” program. She managed the book cart in the waiting room of the clinic and would read to the children as they or their parents were waiting for their consultation. She would encourage the parents to read to their children, and she took Spanish lessons at the Ossining Public Library, so that she could communicate better with the children. She remembers the joy and pleasure the children expressed on their faces. Unfortunately, the program was disbanded during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, a neighbor told Ruby about Volunteer New York!, and Ruby began mentoring two students remotely during Covid. (She admits that her first experience with remote learning was overwhelming, but true to form, she underwent tech bootcamp with her daughter and is now a pro!)
Now, let’s hear from Ruby in her own words about her volunteer experience . . .
Following my retirement from the field of social work, I was feeling somewhat adrift. I filled some of my time with travel, theater, museum visits, book clubs and taking courses. This is what I didn’t do with my time: help people. I always viewed my profession as a win-win proposition, and that was what was missing in my life.
I was playing Scrabble with a neighbor, and we talked about the sense of loss I was experiencing. She suggested that I contact Volunteer New York! That’s how I became connected to Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY), where I was given the opportunity to help students improve their reading skills. I was assigned to two students at Claremont Elementary School in Ossining. They were in third or fourth grade and were reading chapter books (books intended for intermediate readers, typically ages 7-10). I hoped that with the improvement of their reading skills, reading would become enjoyable for them.
I am a voracious reader. Books got me through the Covid lockdown. But what about children who view reading as a chore? I mentored students through Zoom. I asked them how they felt about remote
learning and what they were learning. Without exception, they said “nothing.” Some had internet connectivity issues; most were bored and couldn’t or wouldn’t focus. It was even more of a challenge for students where only Spanish was spoken in the home. There was no one available to read to their children in English.
I now have one student at Claremont. She is in third grade and can barely read at a first-grade level. She never reads independently, since reading is a struggle for her, and she prefers to play in her leisure time. I do encourage her, and hoped she would read over Christmas break. She did not.
School closures led to a tsunami of many ill-equipped students who haven’t moved on from first grade. I worry about my student and others like her. What will happen to her in fourth grade, where expectations are higher? How will she be able to tackle other subjects where reading is essential?
In the face of the loss of learning opportunities at the elementary school level, I asked myself the question, “What can I do?”
I do what I can.
Ruby is looking forward to extending her work as a volunteer. She also is continuing to take classes and she plans to renew her social work license. Ruby is a grand example of an RSVP member! Thank you, Ruby!
I’d like to share my philosophy with you and why I believe so strongly in the value of chair yoga. Here’s how I see our body change in life: 4 becomes 2, 2 becomes 3. What do I mean?
As a baby, we crawl, using four “legs” (limbs really). Once we’ve learned to walk, we use two legs. As we get older, we may use a cane, so we have three “legs.” When you do chair yoga, you will also be on three legs: your two legs along with the chair, your third.
With the support of a chair, you can safely do a lot of exercise in a small space. You can exercise while sitting – while watching TV or waiting for the food to be ready, and you can make effective use of the down time in your daily life. By correcting your posture and focusing on your breathing, you can easily refresh yourself while sitting.
For me, who is still perfecting my English, being able to use my body to work for everyone's health is a time of great joy for me. I am so happy that I met Wendy Armstrong and Cheryl Brandwein, so I can share that joy and instruction with you RSVP members. How did my life lead me here – to volunteer?
I was born in Japan in 1967. As a young child, I was very shy and inflexible (My fingertips didn't touch the ground when I bent forward.) By joining the gymnastics club and doing calisthenics in junior high school, I became more flexible, and my personality brightened. I felt that exercising connected me with the people around me. I made many friends.
When I was sixteen, the aerobics boom landed in Japan. I worked parttime and saved money to pay for a training course and started studying and teaching. (It was around this time that I first visited America.) I was really taken with a statement the “father of aerobics,” Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH is quoted as saying, "It is easier to maintain good health through proper exercise, diet and emotional balance than it is to regain it once it is lost.” Surprisingly, three years after I started teaching aerobic dance, at the age of 19, I developed hip pain. When the pain set in, I couldn’t walk. I received all kinds of treatments, but nothing worked until I tried yoga.
In 2003, I obtained a license as a Health Fitness Programmer and started a personal training service. I feel an overwhelming joy when I offer personalized training and see my clients getting healthier. I started teaching Pilates in Tokyo in 2003 and even helped an injured dancer get back on stage.
I met my husband in Tokyo when I was 40. We got married in New York, which is where I have been living since. Over time, I feel that I have come to understand New York a little better. Being able to volunteer like this is truly a blessing and has helped me to blend more with American life and increase my English skills.
My advice – much of which I share when conducting a chair yoga class: When sitting in a chair, maintain good posture, keep your chest open and breathe deeply. Place the soles of your feet on the floor and press your feet into the earth to stretch your body toward the sky. Your shoulders are relaxed. As your shoulders relax, you can feel the blood flow to your fingertips and start to circulate to your head. Poor posture puts pressure on the internal organs, causing indigestion and poor blood flow from the heart. In other words, “throw away the trash and remove the rust.”
See you at Chair Yoga class!
Join RSVP every other Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for our ongoing Zoom program Chair Yoga with Haruko! Chair yoga has been shown to improve flexibility, relieve cramps and stiffness, and create a happy mental state. Whether you're looking to maintain strength, improve your mood or regain balance and muscle mass, chair yoga is a great option for you! Various poses, bends and flows are targeted to build muscle and tone the body, strengthening areas such as your arms, legs, core and back. Using a chair for seated poses, you can take advantage of the many benefits yoga provides, such as increased circulation and strength, improved balance and coordination, and decreases in blood pressure, anxiety, inflammation, and chronic pain. Our aim is to offer you some relief – and fun!
Haruko Stanton is a new member of our RSVP family! She earned a Master of Japanese literature from Kobe Women's University and received a diploma in sports nutrition. She is certified in yoga, pilates, and as a gyrokinesis personal trainer. Haruko has been teaching chair yoga since 2015 and graciously volunteers her time to train our RSVP family every other week. Haruko shared, “I started working as a fitness instructor and trainer in 1983. Having improved chronic hip pain through dietary improvement and exercise, I am interested in physical and mental connections.”
• Increased Flexibility
• Improved Strength
• Reduced Stress
• Improved Balance and Coordination
• Reduced Inflammation and Pain
• Improved Concentration
• Increased Circulation
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Boosted Moods and Mental State
• Better Sleep
Virtual chair yoga classes are ongoing and available. Watch for our RSVP Chair Yoga Email for info on how to register. Haruko is also available for private lessons. Each class requires a separate sign up. Email Cheryl or Wendy if interested in joining the fun!
The Wartburg, a highly rated senior residence, nursing facility, and rehabilitation center in southern Westchester is experiencing a rebound in volunteer interest this year, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In operation since 1866 (157 years), Wartburg began as an orphanage caring for children left parentless by family deaths during the Civil War. Over the years, it has grown to include the full range of senior care and services. Today, it cares for a total of 284 residents in independent and assisted living, long-term care and memory care. In addition, Warburg has an 80-bed rehabilitation facility.
Wartburg, a fully integrated, multi-building facility, sits on a beautiful 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon, on the border of the Bronx. Its facilities and services run the gamut of senior care – independent senior living (town homes and apartments), affordable senior living (apartments), assisted living, long-term nursing care, palliative & hospice care, adult day care, memory care (dementia, Alzheimer’s), and respite care. In addition, Wartburg provides Westchester’s only freestanding inpatient rehabilitation center and also offers home healthcare for those seniors who wish to continue living at home and are able to do so.
Wartburg is currently building an Alzheimer’s and dementia care center which is slated for opening in the fall of 2023. The New Living Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that will bring resources and support to those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia related diseases. The building will consist of 64 beds and will include an event space, music therapy room and designated areas for service, management, staff, and support.
Every day, the organization continues to work toward its vision of being “a national model for excellence in integrated senior healthcare and housing.”
The data indicate that this vision is becoming a reality. Independent evaluations of Wartburg’s facilities and services recognize the organization’s high quality of care. In January 2023, Wartburg was named one of the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State” by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) for the eighth straight year. It received the highest quality rating – 5 stars -- from USNWR, making it one of only 38 nursing institutions in New York State with this top rating. Nationwide, only 16 percent of qualified senior care facilities have earned the top rating.
Wartburg management is understandably proud of this accomplishment. In response to the latest US News rating, Bridget Zimmerman, Warburg’s Skilled Nursing Facility Administrator, said, “the quality of service that Wartburg provides continues to be recognized, even in healthcare’s most challenging period. In a time where long-term care facilities faced a worldwide pandemic and worked tirelessly to manage through [the pandemic] and protect our residents, Wartburg’s team of frontline staff and management has proven its loyalty to quality service and care. We are so proud of this recognition.”
“At Wartburg, volunteers are crucial to providing superior service to our residents,” says Kerry Minto, Associate for Institutional Advancement and Director of Volunteerism. “Our volunteers assist and augment the efforts of our outstanding staff of 500.”
Volunteering is again on the rise at Wartburg. Prior to the Covid pandemic, volunteer levels were about 400. In the past year, the number of volunteers totaled 250-300. “This year, we’re going to be back to pre-pandemic levels,” says Minto. “Many of our previous volunteers couldn’t wait to come back.”
Wartburg enables seniors to live life to their fullest through excellence in healthcare and housing, which nurture body, mind and spirit.”
Wartburg Mission Statement
You can find listings to volunteer at the Wartburg on the Volunteer New York! website (www.volunteernewyork.org). Or to express interest in volunteering contact Kerry Minto at (914) 513-5308 or kminto@wartburg.
The Wartburg’s volunteer roster encompasses people of the widest range of ages – from high school and college students to seniors in their 60s, 70s and 80s.
“Volunteers are used where they are needed most, e.g., for programs and development, including fundraising events, open houses, and birthday celebrations,” says Minto.
College student volunteers are recruited from area colleges such as Sarah Lawrence, Iona, Fordham, and SUNY Purchase. Students volunteer for internship credit or because they plan to go into the caring fields. The Wartburg also attracts older adults and seniors to handle caring activities for residents, such as providing conversation and companionship.
Volunteers at Wartburg are needed in both healthcare and non-medical roles at the Mt. Vernon campus:
“We are seeking creative and enthusiastic volunteers to enrich the lives of our residents. Whether you’re a student seeking credit, recently retired in a career transition or feel compelled to better serve your community, volunteering at Wartburg enables you to share your knowledge and talents.”
In addition to helping with special events (e.g., fundraisers, etc.), the Wartburg’s website lists a host of the non-medical roles that are available to volunteers:
• Recreational activities
• Escort and transport
• Sharing talents with residents
• Mealtime assistance
• Friendly visits with residents
• Library service
• Discussion groups with residents
• Pet visits
• Worship on wheels (escorting residents to Sunday services)
• Clerical support
• Gift shop attendant
• Helping residents with technology
Learn more about the Wartburg on their website at wartburg.org. To learn about the activities of the vibrant Wartburg community, go to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thewartburg.
All right, I know it’s only been a hot minute since we’ve cleaned up the confetti, packed away the noisemakers, put down the “bubbly,” removed those unattractive “2023” glasses and discarded those meagerly thought-through resolutions. But the year is “still young” and there are many months ahead to find meaningful volunteer opportunities, take care of ourselves and others, and own 2023!
I need not reiterate how the pandemic impacted our personal, professional, and volunteering lives in ways that are less than memorable. Yet despite the challenges of isolation, masks, sanitizer, distance, fear, and apprehension, volunteering persevered.
Yes, there was pivoting, modifications, creativity and thinking outside the proverbial “box,” but volunteers persisted and those in need of our help and support, received it.
2023 is still young!! Winter will soon be in our rearview mirror... and the birds will be chirping! What better time to start reviewing, revitalizing, and rebirthing our volunteering passions? Happily, many of our stations (our non-profit partners) are experiencing a rebound from Covid, the expansion of volunteer opportunities and the resurgence of new and returning volunteers.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Valerie Brown, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Our conversation was congenial, friendly and encouraging as we discussed their many programs. Currently, their greatest and most immediate need is for a 1:1 mentoring program. If each of us looks back on our lives and careers, undoubtedly we could identify at least one individual who supported, encouraged and mentored us. And I am certain we could list the benefits we've obtained from those relationships. It has been shown that mentored youth have healthier relationships, make better lifestyle choices, have a better attitude toward school, lower high school drop-out rates, higher
college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations. Equally as important are enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, improved behavior and stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers.
Big Brothers Big Sisters' mentoring program provides opportunities for youngsters ages 7 through 17, to participate with you, the volunteer, in active/community-based interactions. As would be expected, there is an intake process, which includes an interview and training. Discussions regarding interests, skills, and experiences during the interview process assist in matching volunteer and student. The understood commitment is that volunteer and student spend a minimum of four (4) hours a month or two (2) outings per month working in the local community.
In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a virtual tutoring program for students in grades four (4) through high school. Tutor preferences and skills are identified and used in matching student and tutor. Although no specific time requirement is listed, it is hoped that the commitment would be at least one (1) hour per week. Big Brothers Big Sisters also holds yearly events such as a Summer BBQ, Holiday Parties and Toy Drive. If you know a child, be it grandchild, niece, nephew, or neighbor, you have likely seen (or heard about) the impact the pandemic has had on children, and not only educationally.
Stacy Winitt, Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement at YPIE (Yonkers Partners In Education) shared her excitement about a new program for which they are seeking volunteers. They are looking for tutors of higher level math and science subjects, e.g., trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, or physics. The program runs weekly from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tutors may work with the same individual, a variety of students
or a small group, for all or part of the 3:30-6:00 p.m. session. The time commitment is a minimum of one-and-one-half hours, once a week to ensure consistency for the students. The program is part of YPIE's College Zone, located at 92 Main Street in Yonkers, and serves as the after-school hub for students from all nine (9) Yonkers Public High Schools. This after-school, in-person opportunity will certainly tickle the fancy of our math and science lovers!
Mt.Vernon Youth Bureau's Deputy Director, Dena Williams, shared how RSVP volunteers have supported her organization. Their Safe Haven After School Program is actively seeking volunteers. This program provides academic support in English and Math, with the goal of preparing students for middle and high school. In addition, Safe Haven provides opportunities for children, ages 7-12, to make constructive use of out-of-school time via homework assistance and enrichment activities. Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau is big on intergenerational programs, hence their partnership with RSVP volunteers. Looking toward the future, Ms. Williams hopes to start an intergenerational book club with students and senior volunteers.
DOROT (the Hebrew name for “generations”) has as its mission “to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older adults in these post-Covid times; what could be more pressing and relevant!? On its website, DOROT cites some of the devastating consequences of social isolation and loneliness on individuals, especially the older adult population. When speaking with Margo Brooks, DOROT's Program Coordinator, I was heartened by the variety of programs, both remote and in-person, for which they are seeking volunteers.
Friendly Visiting, DOROT's signature program, connects volunteers and older adults via on-going visits. Through the sharing
of life experiences, hobbies, interests, ideas and/or opinions, relationships develop. I suggest you visit DOROT's website, where you will find delightful videos that beautifully exemplify this program. Their Response Team programming connects volunteers and older adults for occasional social engagements, such as Birthday Celebrations or Activity Requests. Volunteering for Birthday Celebrations may include delivering a birthday package provided by DOROT, and making a visit or following-up with a phone call.
Activity Request would connect a volunteer with an older adult who may have a specific request such as going for a walk, playing a game, helping to organize photos, or selecting books at the library. For those who may not be able to meet in person, Telephone Friends connects volunteers and older adults through weekly phone calls. DOROT's Social Work Department provides on-going support to all of their programs. Volunteers will go through an application process which includes orientation, interview, references, and background checks to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all.
So now that you know a bit more about four (4) of our stations: Big Brothers Big Sisters, YPIE, Mt. Vernon Youth Bureau and DOROT, I hope that I have piqued your interest in exploring these and RSVP's twenty-five (25) other Stations. This seems like a perfect time to try something “new” for the “New Year.” Although you may have discarded those meagerly thought-through resolutions, start now with a renewed, fresh eye on volunteering . . . it's healthy for us all!! Volunteering is a “win-win,” its value priceless for both recipient and volunteer. Take this “New Year” to deepen community connections, build new relationships, reduce stress, and feel better physically and emotionally by being a volunteer. In the words of Mary Wollstonecraft, a renowned women's rights activist: “The beginning is always today.”
Thank you for being a member of RSVP OF WESTCHESTER and an important part of what has made our community special for 50+ years!
To read about how chair yoga can improve your life.
Here are the basics:
• For people age 60+
• For residents of Westchester County*
• Mileage incurred while traveling to and from the volunteer’s RSVP station (agency)
• Paratransit, bus, or cab fare incurred while traveling to and from the volunteer’s station (agency)
Follow these simple steps to participate:
• Complete a NAPIS (National Aging Program Information Systems) form.
• Track your hours for the month and complete a Travel Reimbursement voucher.
• Submit your monthly hours to your volunteer supervisor for signature.
• Send your signed voucher to the RSVP office (or ask your supervisor to do so).
• Receive reimbursement checks on a quarterly basis.
Please contact our office to obtain forms and/or ask questions, 914-948-4452.
*Funding for this benefit is provided by a grant from the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. Therefore, volunteers must be Westchester residents to qualify.