The newest location of the Town of North Hempstead’s Project Independence in Roslyn at the the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, 300 Forest Dr., East Hills, will be held on Friday, June 24 from noon to 3:00 pm.
The new Project Independence location has been open for the past several months, according to Evelyn Roth, town commissioner for the department of services for the aging. Roth estimated that more than 100 senior citizens from the area have been taking advantage of the Project Independence services over the past several months in the space the town rented from the East Hills Jewish community center.
“We try to open offices in places where seniors frequent. We want to open in a place that’s already a destination for senior in the community,” Roth said.
The new center maintains fitness activities and offers free blood pressure checks. The Jacobson center also offers memory screening in a program funded by Project Indepedence, Roth said.
Project Independence has also established a relationship with the First Baptist Church in Roslyn, where Roth said Tai Chi classes are held on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and excercise classes are conducted each Thursday at 1 p.m.
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said the establishment of Project Independence’s fourth location in Roslyn “underscores our commitment to support our seniors.” Three other locations have been opened over the past year and a half, with the first at Clinton G. Martin Park, followed by offices in the Great Neck Senior Center and the North Hempstead Senior Center in Port Washington.
A fifth location is currently being sought in the Mineola area, according to Roth. The long-term plan is to establish eight Project Independence sites throughout the Town.
Project Independence is a program intended to help seniors remain in their homes as long as possible by providing them transportation and home services. Kaiman developed Project Independence three years ago to provide services to seniors through partnerships with government, service providers, businesses and the local community.
By dialing 311, a resident can connect with a Project Independence staffer, who will help them find answers to a particular question, track down information or get connected to services such as health screenings, immunizations and information about managing medications. Project Independence also offers caregiver support, social and recreational activities, support groups for those coping with illness, depression or loss, as well as volunteer opportunities.
A mailing to every household in the Roslyn area with a resident over 60 years old trumpeted that office’s opening, Roth said.
“We’re very pleased with the response from the Roslyn community. The older residents of the Roslyn area seem delighted to have Project Independence,” Roth said
She said a very active advisory committee made up of Roslyn residents has been holding meetings for past five months.
“They really advise us on the needs of the particular community. They let us know how we’re doing and they’re not shy,” Roth said.
