Federation of Organizations hosted the 32nd Annual Foster Grandparent Senior Expo and Gala Luncheon on Friday, June 5 at the Melville Marriott. This year’s guest speaker was Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. The occasion served to honor Federation’s Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion volunteers for their service to Suffolk County’s children and homebound elderly in the communities in which they live. Father Tom Hartman was present to give the invocation and lend his support.
Mr. Levy congratulated the seniors who volunteer through the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. His message was clear: “The Foster Grandparents fulfill vital needs by providing guidance, tutoring, mentoring and encouragement to our children with special needs, ultimately maximizing their potential both emotionally and academically. The Senior Companions offer direct support, friendship and encouragement to fellow elderly residents who seek to retain independence and make their own choices for as long as possible. These dedicated and caring volunteers are exemplary role models who are truly worthy of the honor being bestowed upon them today.”
Mr. Greg Cunningham, principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School in West Babylon, read letters from the children who benefit from the Foster Grandparent Program. Ms. Susan Wolf gave a very sincere and touching talk about the Senior Companion who works with her father. She explained how beneficial his support has been to her father as well as the rest of the family.
The Foster Grandparent Program partners local senior citizen volunteers with special-needs children in schools, Head Start centers, preschools and other community locations. Currently, more than 170 Foster Grandparents serve as mentors and tutors to more than 2,100 children daily throughout Suffolk County.
Federation also sponsors the Senior Companion Program. This program provides active seniors with the opportunity to help frail seniors who are homebound.
Because of the tremendous success of these programs in communities all across Long Island, numerous corporate sponsors, including Astoria Federal Savings Bank, Bank of America, CA, Inc., The Knapp Swezey Foundation, Newsday Charities and The Roslyn Savings Foundation have generously provided their support.
Federation of Organizations is a large, multi-faceted, not-for-profit human services agency headquartered in West Babylon, with community centers in Babylon and Patchogue, and other sites throughout Long Island. For over 35 years, Federation has been helping people to help themselves by providing much-needed assistance in employment, crisis intervention, money management, emergency food and clothing, housing, mental health counseling and personal advocacy.
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