NYC, Friday, September 11, 2015
Partly sunny. New York City, high 81; Albany, high 78; Buffalo, high 76.
Top News
City begins accepting applications for new mental health program
The city is accepting applications for its Connections-to-Care program, which will contract with 12 community-based organizations for five years and target three groups of people: expectant parents and parents of children under the age of four; young adults ages 16 to 24 who are out of school and out of work; and unemployed, low-income working-aged adults, Politico reports. The deadline is October 19th, and the partner organizations will be chosen by January.
Read more.
The Bargain That Closed St. Vincent’s: The political nexus of nonprofits and real estate
The closing of the nonprofit hospital St. Vincent's in the West Village, leaving a gaping hole in medical services, exemplifies the messy intersection of real estate moguls, philanthropy, and nonprofit oversight, raising questions about the current system's service of the public interest, City & State reports. Read more.
New York's surging property values threaten community gardens
Community gardens are being threatened not only by rising real estate prices, but also affordable housing plans that will place many community-driven spaces at risk, RFI English reports. Read more.
Editor's Note: NYN Media's Livestream Channel
In anticipation of next week's MarkCon event, we want to share our Livestream Channel. So far, we have over 350 attendees signed up for next week's event, but we know that many from around the state would like to hear from our panelists and speakers but are unable to attend. For just this reason, we'll be broadcasting the entire day's events at this link. Simply hit "follow."
NYN Buzz
On Board: Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Announces New COO and Director of Health Center Operations
Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic announced the appointments of Vincent Russell as Chief Operating Officer and Valerie Bartlett as Director, Health Center Operations.
Vincent Russell, MSM, obtained his BS from The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and his MS in Management from Florida Institute of Technology. He recently received his certification of achievement in Six Sigma Green Belt – Healthcare from Villanova University.
Mr. Russell has extensive experience in managing the operations of multiple out-patient clinical sites as well as implementing new services and creating favorable financial outcomes. He has worked closely with the New York State Department of Health, Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and other regulatory agencies.
Valerie Bartlett, MPH, obtained her BA from Vassar College and her MPH from George Washington University. She began her professional career with the Department of Health and Human Services before moving to Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Groups. Ms. Barlett then worked for Montefiore Medical Center, then its affiliate, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
“I am excited to have Vince and Valerie join Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. They bring a wealth of experience and education to our organization,” said Reina Schiffrin, President/CEO, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. “They have only been here a short time but are already offering new ideas and approaches to our operations.”
Senator William Larkin Congratulates Veteran Peer 2 Peer Graduates in Rockland
On Monday, August 31, NYS Senator William J. Larkin spoke at the second ceremony honoring graduates of Rockland Independent Living Center’s (RILC) Peer 2 Peer program for Veterans. “This program is making a difference for so many of our returning Veterans. These heroes have put their lives on the line for us and this program lets them know that not only are they not forgotten, we are here to ensure they will return to as normal a life as possible and the Peer 2 Peer program does that in a unique and powerful way,” stated Senator Larkin.
The goal of RILC’s Peer 2 Peer program is to match Veterans who have been through the training program with Veterans who are returning from service so they can take steps to reduce or even eliminate the negative impact that trauma-related symptoms have on social, occupational and family functioning.
“Matching program graduates with returning Vets facilitates the healing process thanks to the immediate empathetic connection between both individuals,” stated George Hoehmann, Executive Director of RILC. “While we can provide the training, it is their dedication to supporting other Vets and ‘leaving no man behind’ that really is at the heart of the success of this program,” added Hoehmann.
Meetings are free, confidential, and provide Veterans with a safe place to share in a non-judgmental setting. The program also offers services specific to women Veterans and referrals for a variety of services.
A total of 16 veterans have now been trained as peer to peer mentors and 8 veterans have received assistance through the program. More information about how to get involved can be found the RILC website.
Political Bulletin powered by City & State
* Breaking weeks of public silence, Albany County District Attorney David Soares issued stinging criticism of Gov. Andrew Cuomo over who should handle the case of an Albany man who died after an encounter with police, the Times Union reports. Read more.
* The shutdown two years ago of lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge set off a chain of events that ultimately led to the surprise resignation of Jeff Smisek, the C.E.O. of United Airlines, the Times writes. Read more.
* The cop accused of body-slamming former tennis star James Blake during a mistaken arrest has a checkered past, including five civilian complaints in just seven months and two excessive-force lawsuits, the Post writes. Read more.
Nonprofits in the News
CHOICE of NY opens new facility in White Plains
CHOICE of NY, a nonprofit advocacy agency that provides free support to people of limited financial means who are diagnosed with mental or physical illnesses or disabilities, has officially opened the doors to its new facility, offering clients a homey atmosphere, complete with a wellness center, in a 6,500-square-foot space on East Post Road, Lohud reports. Read more.