For Immediate Release                                                                                     Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan

March 27, 2009                                                                                                                     (516) 869 7794

North Hempstead Takes First Step in Town-wide Roll-out of Project Independence, a Program to Help Seniors Age in Place

Great Neck, NY—Following through on a pledge he made in his state of the town address two months ago, Supervisor Jon Kaiman announced today the opening of a Project Independence office in the Great Neck Senior Center. A reception attended by community leaders, local village officials and residents was hosted by Supervisor Kaiman in the Great Neck Senior Center on March 27, 2009, who unveiled the town-wide roll-out of this ambitious initiative geared at helping our senior “age in place.”

“We are now taking the next step in organizing Project Independence by regions within

North Hempstead in order to provide a comprehensive program to every resident who wants to avail themselves of the services offered,” Supervisor Kaiman said.

“I’m thrilled that we have such a unique program that will care for the needs of our growing senior population here in North Hempstead,” said Councilwoman Lee Seeman.

With North Hempstead’s senior population growing—residents aged 75-84 increased 40% while those older than 85 increased 60% according to the last national census—the Town developed Project Independence to help support and empower seniors by providing an array of services through partnerships with government, service providers, businesses and the local community.

The goal is to help seniors live healthy, active and engaged lives as members of their community by connecting them to the valuable services, programs and people that will help them remain as independent as possible and allow them to get by on their own, Supervisor Kaiman said.

The Town has partnered with social workers, health care professionals, spiritual leaders, community organizations and many others to help provide and ease access to available services and programs.

By simply dialing 311, a resident can connect with the Town’s Project Independence

Personnel, who will help them find answers to a particular question, track down information or tap into valuable services such as health screenings, immunizations and information about managing medications.

In addition, the program will also offer caregiver support, social and recreational activities, support groups for those coping with illness, depression or loss, as well as volunteer opportunities.

Project Independence was first initiated as a pilot program in the New Hyde Park area.

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(L to R) JASA Social Worker Gail Kaden, Legislator Judy Bosworth,  Project Independence Staffer Jim Allen, Councilwoman Lee Seeman, Supervisor Jon Kaiman, Councilwoman Maria-Christina Poons, Director of Great Neck Senior Center Ann Tarcher, PI Outreach Dir. Deena Lesser, Commissioner-designate of Project Independence Evelyn Roth,  Dir. of Senior Citizen Affairs Paula Uhl, and Senior Citizen Program Development Trainee with PI Nancy Mezrahi.

Supervisor Jon Kaiman announces the opening of a Project Independence office
in the Great Neck Senior.