Jewish Family Services is very proud to announce our newest program, PROJECT FIVE The Fifth Commandment urges us to “honor thy father and thy mother,” and has shaped our views on intergenerational relationships. PROJECT FIVE, JFS’ senior transportation program, was initiated to help reinforce the Fifth Commandment, invigorate interpersonal connections and reinforce JFS’ caring community. PROJECT FIVE provides safe, reliable round-trip transportation for: medical and dental appointments shopping and errands religious services (when appropriate) cultural events social get-togethers To be eligible for PROJECT FIVE transportation services, passengers must be: Jewish adults aged 60 or above able to walk independently or with a cane or walker Each round-trip ride costs $5.00. PROJECT FIVE services will soon be available in Schenectady and will become available throughout Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties in the near future, following recruitment and training programs for potential volunteers. For more information on PROJECT FIVE, or to schedule a passenger interview, please call Jewish Family Services or send an e-mail to Sally Bratspis at sbratspis@jfsneny.org. PROJECT FIVE is currently looking for volunteers! We need: drivers (mileage costs will be reimbursed) non-driver support persons dispatchers administrative aides We train our volunteers not only to be friendly companions to our passengers, but also to be receptive to passengers’ needs. During our 3-module training course, volunteers will be trained to recognize the normal signs of aging, as well as exceptions. Volunteers will be asked to note changes in passengers in order to facilitate follow-up and referrals. The three part training program is currently being offered in Schenectady and other locations will be added as the program expands to other regions in the Capital District. For more information on PROJECT FIVE, or to volunteer, please call Jewish Family Services or send an e-mail to Sally Bratspis at sbratspis@jfsneny.org. PROJECT FIVE is funded by the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York’s Committee on Aging and a grant from M&T Bank.

Other Services Provided by Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York Senior Adult Services Counseling Related Services Jewish Community Outreach Absorption and Citizenship

Our New Neighborhood Naturally-Occurring Retirement Community Project!   Jewish Family Services is proud to announce that we have been awarded a major grant from the New York State Office for the Aging to develop support services and programs for a Neighborhood Naturally-Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) in the city of Albany. The NNORC project is the first of its kind in the area, and firmly establishes JFS as a leader in meeting the needs of today’s older adults.   NNORCs are a modern phenomenon which develop when an area or neighborhood has a high concentration of older adult residents. NNORCs, also referred to as “aging in place,” allow adults to remain in their homes, and give them opportunities for social interaction and increased health and social services. With the Baby Boom generation moving into the 60+ age range, the need for development of supportive services for older adults wishing to remain in their homes has never been more timely.   We will serve as the lead agency of a collaborative partnership of Senior Services of Albany, St. Peter’s Home Care and CHOICES Program, Catholic Charities, United Jewish Federation, Albany Jewish Community Center and U. Albany Center for Mental Health and Aging, which will develop the NNORC project in 2006.   This project will create and implement a supportive services program for older adults, 60 years of age and above. The services and programs made available through the NNORC project will help seniors to “age in place” by remaining in their homes and community for as long as possible. Services will be delivered through a partnership in which older adults, local social service providers, spiritual leaders, and community agencies come together to deliver services and programs that build on the strengths of the older adults living in the NNORC area.
The goals of the NNORC project are: * Improving older residents’ access to services through free transportation and home visiting * Promoting independent living, helping seniors to feel a sense of control and self-sufficiency * Promoting older resident interaction and sense of community * Increasing older resident activity and community awareness * Improving community service coordination and effectiveness * Controlling service-related costs * Reducing unnecessary or premature institutionalization The specific types of services to be provided include: * Case management and case assistance * Health care assistance and monitoring * Information and referral services * Opportunities for volunteer activities among older residents * Shopping assistance and friendly visiting * Health screenings, walking and exercise programs * Outreach to all residents in the NNORC geographic area
The NNORC area is a southwest section of the city of Albany that has one of the highest concentrations of older adults in the Capital Region. The boundaries of the area are Academy Road/Marwill Street on the east, Whitehall Road on the south, New Scotland Avenue on the North, and the western border at the intersection of New Scotland Avenue and Whitehall Road. Many of the residents of the single- and two-family homes and garden apartments in this approximately 2 square mile area have lived in this area for many years. All of these residents aged 60 and above will be eligible to participate in the NNORC project.   Older adults and community residents interesting in finding out more about the NNORC project can contact Miriam Adler at (518) 482-8856 or by e-mail at madler@jfsneny.org. (For press inquiries, please contact Siobhan Gallagher at 438-2826.)