Looking Back, and Looking Forward

I came to the United States with my family from Cuba when I was twelve years old.

Imagine arriving on a snowy winter night in January and heading into the city from JFK wearing a very light jacket and having no hat, gloves or boots.  But, boy the sight of snow!  I can still feel the excitement of my new beginning.

In a sense, I am a product of the opportunity that exists here in this country that offers everyone – not just a privileged few – access to institutions of learning and to meaningful jobs in the workplace...the chance to learn, to advance and to succeed.

We are truly an “immigrant nation.”  Pretty much everyone who is here is really from somewhere else – some are generations removed, but we are all part of a never-ending stream of new immigrants to our storied America.  People come here seeking refuge, searching for opportunity or simply wanting freedom.

Perhaps that is why we see so much “giving back” to our communities, and why so many worthwhile organizations have been spawned here to help others.

Village Care of New York, where I have worked since 1991, is one such organization.  It is defined by its values, its culture and its commitment to those it serves – older adults and persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Village Care is about people caring for people.  We have an exceptional staff, focused on taking care of those who are less fortunate.  Their work is hard, but they are energized by those they serve.

Our community is fortunate to have many not-for-profit organizations that serve needy individuals, and I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to lead Village Care.

These are difficult days for everyone, and more so for those served by Village Care’s SeniorChoices programs and by our Network of AIDS Services.  For example, one of our programs, The Momentum Project, which provides meals at sites throughout the city for persons who are HIV-positive, has seen demand for its nutrition services increase in recent months as a result of the economic crisis.  Ironically, New York City government has indicated that it is likely to cut in half its funding for Momentum in the months to come.

The major economic downturn that we all face is twice impacting those in need. We are seeing an increase in demand for services in many areas, while at the same time, care and service programs are facing major losses in support from government, particularly here in New York where the state faces a deficit of nearly $14 billion.

Congress’ and President Obama’s stimulus package is likely to help with some of the funding problems we face, but it is all but certain that cutbacks at some level will be sustained.  Meanwhile, the needs of those less fortunate are not diminished.

At Village Care, we have sought to build and expand our ability to serve both through our own services, and with partnerships and collaborations that enhance and expand our community’s ability to respond to those in need.

I am committed not only to keeping Village Care strong, but to expanding those relationships and making our community’s responses better and stronger.  Village Care has a long tradition of service to our community, to older adults and those with AIDS.

We have worked hard to make this a better place to grow old.

We have worked hard to make sure persons with HIV/AIDS have access to the care and treatment they need.

Our organization has been blessed with a caring staff that is dedicated to our community mission and which remains firmly committed to help those in need, whatever the obstacles in our path.

I see Village Care working harder than ever in the days to come and holding firm in its tradition of service.

(The board of directors of not-for-profit Village Care of New York last month named Ms. DeVito the organization’s president and chief executive officer.)