NEW YORK – For the last 25 years, the senior population of the East Village in New York City has reaped the benefits of the services of the Selfreliance Association (NYC) of American Ukrainians. The association provides assistance with social services, recreation (bingo, exercise classes, knitting and crocheting, videos) and food baskets to the homebound during the holidays.
Last Easter, the association delivered 12 baskets of blessed food to local residents. The organization’s mission is to provide seniors the opportunity for socialization with their peers, to reduce isolation and to provide assistance with their social service needs. Such services are provided at the Selfreliance center at 98 Second Ave., on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; clients are welcome to come to the center any time from Tuesday through Saturday for social service assistance.
During the course of the year, members especially enjoy going on various bus outings to theaters, botanical gardens, picnics, Radio City, and various cultural events. A favorite outing is a trip to St. Josaphat’s Monastery in Glen Cove, which features divine liturgy and a picnic. In June, 20 seniors enjoyed a respite in the country at St. Josaphat’s. In May, the seniors were treated to the Broadway show “Carousel,” and in August, they attended a showing of the film “Heritage of a Nation” at the Ukrainian Museum.
The Selfreliance Association of American Ukrainians encourages new members to join its seniors’ club and to become part of the organization’s tradition of helping seniors. New potential volunteers are also welcome. Readers may contact Oksana Lopatynsky or Irene D’Alessio at 212-777-1336, for additional information.