A Farewell, And a New Beginning

A Farewell, And a New Beginning

Communities are special places because of the work that is done by not-for-profits, and New York City is home to many caring organizations that strive to help needy individuals

Our downtown community is fortunate to have more than its share of dedicated not-for-profits, and Village Care of New York, where I have worked since 1993, stands  out among them.

I’m sure most of you are already aware that I am stepping down as CEO and president of Village Care.  It’s time both for me to move on to new challenges, and for new leadership to take the organization that’s been my “home” for so many years on to the next exciting stage of its growth, development and service.

Village Care has expanded tremendously in its scope since my start here – from a single geriatric nursing home and fledgling AIDS services to an organization that serves some 6,000 older adults and persons living with HIV/AIDS each year in a wide range of comprehensive programs.

I don’t take credit for that so much as I stand in awe of the people who made it possible.  

At the top of the list is a visionary board of directors that has always carried on the proud tradition of those who founded the organization in the mid-1970 by “rescuing” Village Nursing Home and then responding to the devastation of the AIDS epidemic when it appeared in the 1980s.  Today, this board is leading the way in reforming services for frail seniors, moving away from institutional settings and into the community.

Sharing top billing with the board are the dedicated people who work for Village Care and who believe in its mission to provide a caring and supportive environment with services that are inclusive and which treat individuals and their family and loved ones with utmost respect.  The mission is not a “bunch of words” to those who are engaged in Village Care’s work – it is what guides them every day, whether they are aides, nurses and other direct-care workers on the front lines, or administrative staff holding the ship together.

At the core of my commitment are all the people whom Village Care has served over these many years. These are the folks who have inspired me with their courage to deal with severe disabling conditions and, in many cases, their last breath.  Death is always an unpleasant topic, but in our endeavors, end-of-life care and issues are a most sensitive human, and humane, matter that we must deal with every single day.  We try to make sure that everyone is comforted.

At the other end is the work we do in helping people by providing a wide range of rehabilitation services along with comprehensive community-based care so they can continue to enjoy the highest quality of life possible at home.

I can’t stress too much how important it is for communities to have not-for-profit organizations and providers such as Village Care.

It’s important too for these organizations to be supported in turn by the community.  And in that regard, Village Care has been multiply blessed:  From everyday citizens such as those who founded the organization more than 30 years ago, to elected officials here in the community, in New York City government and in Albany and Washington, D.C.,  who have learned of Village Care’s “story” and also believe in the worthy work being done, to government officials in the state and city health departments and other agencies, to other important community institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and The Villager.

It is hard not to get emotional about how so many have seen what Village Care strives to do for those with scant resources of their own and how so many individuals and groups in the community have come to believe in and support the organizational mission.

As the time comes for me to move on to another phase in my long career, I can only say to all those people that the words “thank you” cannot come close to showing the depth of the appreciation that I feel.

Of course, as most of you know, I won’t be going far.  I’ll be taking on new challenges at another not-for-profit that is vitally important to our community, St. Vincent’s.

All of what I have learned in my years with Village Care will be of utmost value to me.  Those at Village Care inspired me every day, and they will continue to be a great inspiration not just as I move over to meet the many demands of the hospital, but as I travel through the rest of my days.