Kicking Off the Senior Champions Program

NYCHA now has 82 new resident leaders who have volunteered to make a difference in the lives of their fellow senior residents. 

On November 30, NYCHA held the first meeting for its new Senior Champions, older adult residents who will work with NYCHA and community members on actively engaging their fellow seniors across the city, as well as keep them informed about the Authority’s programs, issues, and initiatives. Seniors are one of the largest populations living at NYCHA developments, with 40 percent of households headed by a person age 62 or older.

NYCHA’s new Senior Champions will take on social, health, safety, and educational projects to engage seniors in their communities, such as hosting a garden club, helping fellow seniors learn how to use computers and other technology, or starting a walking club. 

During the kick-off event at Johnson Community Center, the Senior Champions participated in workshops to help them plan projects for seniors living in NYCHA communities. They also heard from Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Council Member Diana Ayala about how important their work will be; Council Member Ayala was instrumental in launching the Senior Champions program. 

Also in attendance was Resident Board Member Victor Gonzalez, of Wise Towers, who said: “This program will be the beneficiary of all that vast knowledge that you have acquired in your lifetime; this knowledge will be put to good use and render a positive result. I thank you in advance for what you’re about to do because I know you are going to be successful.”