I had the pleasure to interview Yolanda Robano-Gross LMSW, MHA, Chief Government Officer of Choices for Neighborhood Residing, Inc. Yolanda joined Choices as Chief Government Officer in 2014 with greater than twenty years of prior executive-level expertise inside the well being care business. She is accountable for oversight of all company affairs and stories to the Board of Administrators. Obligations embrace fiscal administration of an annual finances of over $24 million, personnel administration, program growth, and fundraising. She earned her Grasp’s in Well being Care Administration from Hofstra College, Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva College, and her Bachelor’s Diploma in Social Work from Marist Faculty. She holds a certificates in Government Schooling, Non-Revenue Management from The Fordham Middle for Non-Revenue Leaders. She is a dynamic chief who has such a sturdy ardour for serving the group of Lengthy Island.
“I’m a social employee by occupation and that’s the place my coronary heart nonetheless lies. I get pleasure from taking part in numerous committees and boards such because the Lengthy Island Coalition for the Homeless, Ladies Financial Builders of Lengthy Island, and Affiliation for Neighborhood Residing. In my group, I’m the Vice President of the 5 Cities Kiwanis. Personally, I’m the one mother of an superior 21-year-old daughter, engaged to a terrific man, and benefit from the theater, books, and the seaside.”
There are numerous organizations on Lengthy Island dedicated to the larger good of the group. “Sure, certainly! Choices for Neighborhood Residing, Inc. is dedicated to serving to Lengthy Island’s most susceptible households and people reside more healthy, extra secure, and productive lives. We help these we serve via housing, care coordination, case administration, monetary help packages, and useful resource connections. Our employees is devoted at each degree. They’re really invested in these we serve and take the victories of our shoppers as their very own. We love nothing greater than seeing our people obtain their targets. Every step in direction of independence is one thing all of us take nice pleasure in.”
You serve many various people and households with such nice outcomes. “Sure, we’re lucky to have many however love to talk of those. We had a household of three (mother and a couple of youngsters) that had been in a shelter for five years, and that was with mother working full time. After they moved into certainly one of our flats, the son was amazed saying, “That is my door, and I can shut it?” and “That is MY key, and I can lock the door?” A door and a key. All of us take these issues without any consideration, however not this younger man. I’ve one other gentleman who calls me yearly on the anniversary of his sobriety to thank me and to make sure that I thank his case supervisor and different group members. He tells me that having secure housing is what permits him to stay sober. There’s no higher reward than a cellphone name like that.”
“For these recovering from psychological sickness, we’ve a continuum of housing alternatives from supervised group residences that are staffed 24/7 to reasonably priced supportive housing which is unbiased housing in the neighborhood the place our employees go to the tenants to make sure their well being, stability, and wellbeing. We now have further supportive housing choices for folks with different disabilities and power well being situations together with HIV/AIDS. Normally we personal the properties, however we additionally make the most of leases and in different instances we offer a hire subsidy, and the tenants maintain the lease. In all instances, tenant rents are reasonably priced to our low-income tenants—usually 30% of revenue. With an reasonably priced hire, and assist from our employees, folks can handle themselves and their households.”
Just lately, there was an in depth rise in psychological well being, homelessness, and different instances.
“Sure, COVID hit native communities very onerous. Extreme sickness and unplanned job loss left many with emotions of melancholy and isolation. Those that have been capable of keep their housing standing weren’t ready to take action with the lack of regular work. We started receiving cellphone calls requesting assist from folks that by no means needed to ask for assist earlier than. That, in itself, can exacerbate emotions of helplessness and nervousness. Choices, and lots of of our sister companies, stepped in to help these in want. While you’ve skilled a traumatic expertise like this, it may be onerous to garner sufficient power to get your legs again beneath you and start once more. That’s the place organizations like Choices for Neighborhood Residing step in. We’re all about serving to people and households to achieve and keep their most degree of independence. And so far as the healthcare problem, I do know the saying “it takes a village” has change into cliché, but it surely’s true. So long as the person agrees, our group at Choices works alongside medical suppliers, psychologists, relations, and anybody else that they wish to embrace of their circle. Everyone knows the significance of assist in our personal lives and our people aren’t any completely different. The extra supported an individual feels, the higher their probabilities for fulfillment.”
How lengthy do these people usually keep within the packages or do they age out after a sure time? “This relies on the kind of service and the wants of the person. For instance, people dwelling in supervised housing must be there for a most of two years. It’s a steppingstone. Whereas these dwelling in supportive housing can, and have, lived out their lives with us. It’s all about serving the wants of the particular person at that time and time of their life.”
For these of us who don’t endure with psychological or bodily challenges, it’s generally obscure what an individual goes via or the way to deal with them. “It’s really fairly easy. Be respectful. Deal with somebody the way you’d prefer to be handled. Smile, make eye contact. A sort phrase can go a good distance when somebody is having a nasty day. Educate your self. It’s okay to not know one thing. It’s not okay to proceed on that path. In case you don’t have the information, name somebody like me, attend a seminar, or ask the particular person themselves. However don’t make assumptions and don’t presume you recognize why anybody is within the scenario they’re in, as a result of most of the time, you’ll be incorrect.”
“The folks that we serve are simply that. Folks. A few of them are in robust circumstances, oftentimes via no fault of their very own. Nobody chooses to be sick. Nobody chooses to be homeless. With statistics akin to 1 in 4 people have a psychological well being prognosis and that many Lengthy Islanders are 4-6 paychecks away from homelessness, your readers ought to perceive that conditions can change within the blink of an eye fixed. Not way back, I used to be visiting a previously homeless shopper within the hospital and her good friend who’s presently homeless was visiting. I shook his hand in greeting and he regarded stunned. My preliminary response was that he was involved about COVID however after I requested, he responded with “Ma’am, are you aware how lengthy it’s been since somebody shook my hand?” Treating folks with compassion, dignity, and respect prices nothing, however is price tens of millions to those that obtain it. “
On October 20th, 2023, Choices shall be internet hosting Portray with a Function. This can be a evening to indicate off your creative abilities whereas mingling with associates and elevating cash for a terrific trigger! (Choices!) Tickets are $55 every and embrace portray supplies, gentle refreshments, and guided instruction. As at all times, there shall be nice prizes raffled off. Login to our web site www.optionscl.org or attain out to Jessica Klein at jklein@optionscl.org or 631-361-9020, ext. 1163 to buy your tickets!
On April 13, 2024, Choices shall be internet hosting our 2nd annual Homicide Thriller occasion at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh. The theme is Homicide on the 80’s rock live performance, so get away your neon and your finest Flock of Seagulls hair types and see in the event you can guess who the assassin is. Tickets shall be on sale quickly.
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