The Frederick P. Rose Arts & Technology Center
Dedication Ceremony

With very generous and thoughtful gifts from Board member Sandra Priest Rose and New York City Councilman John C. Liu, Selfhelp opened its newest computer learning center in The Frederick P. Rose Arts & Technology Center located at the Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center. At the recent tribute held at the computer learning center, CEO Stuart C. Kaplan welcomed a full house of senior computer students, Board Members, Councilman Liu and the press. President Victor A. Wyler thanked the honorees, Sandra Priest Rose and Councilman Liu.

The computer center is a very important resource, learning basic computer skills such as how to use email can help our seniors to stay connected to family and friends and by using the internet they gain access to essential healthcare and entitlement information.

The computer learning center is available to residents who live on the Flushing Campus as well as to the members of the Benjamin Rosenthal and the Prince Street Senior Centers. We have 14 state-of-the-art computer work stations. Classes cover a range of topics including basic computer skills as well as beginner and advanced email and internet. Classes meet once a week for eight weeks and are 1 ½ hours in length. The curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate the individual skill level of each student. We invite staff to encourage clients sixty and over to join Benjamin Rosenthal and participate.

Many people in the classes have children and relatives in other parts of the country (and the world) and do not really get to talk with them on a regular basis. The younger generation is in tune with email and we have seen a real increase in communication between family members. Though a lot of students do not own computers, they see the computer learning center as an important resource and use open lab hours to practice skills and write to family and friends.

The son of one of the students lives in another state and was astonished when he received his first email from his mother. Students are also amazed at the technology when they receive pictures from family members.

Another student's father is very elderly and only speaks Russian. We were able to find current news articles in Russian in the Internet class which she now prints out for him on a regular basis. The computer has brought these family members even closer together.

On Thursday June 1st, nineteen aides from across Selfhelp's home care departments were honored at an Aides Recognition Event. Aides and their guest joined with Selfhelp staff members to enjoy an evening of good food and heartfelt gratitude at the Murano restaurant. Each aide invited to the event, was chosen by their respective supervisor due to the outstanding work they have done in the past year.

Vivian Anderson-Nassau was nominated by the LHCSA Nassau office for always coming to the rescue, when coverage is needed. She's always willing to cover multiple cases and often before or after seeing her regular client. Above all her respect, direction and energy are very admirable and make her one of Nassau's most dedicated aides.
Teresa Amendola was nominated by Homemaking for her dedication and support to the clients she serves. She has been working with a client and her teenage daughter for a year, rarely taking time off and making herself available 24 hours a day, on an as needed basis while the mother is in and out of the hospital.
An additional 20 aides were also recognized for their excellence. Each received an warm thank you, as well as a gift certificate in recognition of their hard work.

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