Information on how to improve the quality of life of senior citizens and families in NYS.
María Alvarez is the Executive Director of NY StateWide Senior Action Council and Brooklyn-wide interagency Council on Aging. These organizations strive to improve the quality of life of New Yorkers of all ages through consumer leadership, advocacy, and empowerment.
Maria has worked with senior citizens and advocacy groups as an organizer, advocate, and director of housing and caregivers programs for over 28 years. She has designed and implemented educational, social service, and leadership programs for older adults.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from the New School for Social Research where she was a Sloan Fellow.
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nycor watch theFacebook Livestream by clicking here.
Tommy kicks off the show telling his listeners about the impact of nonprofit organizations and the leaders that make it on the show. He also informs people on the application information for Imagine Awards NYC at ImagineAwards.com. You can also contact Tommy at TommyD@PhilanthropyinPhocus.com He introduces his guest, Maria Alverz, who received her Masters Degree in Nonprofit Organization Management at The New School. Maria is an Executive Director at the StateWide Senior Action Council. She tells the listeners a little bit about her background and how she found herself in senior services. Originally working with underserved adolescents, Maria found an opportunity to work for the Institute of Puerto Rican Hispanic Elderly, a widely known senior service organization in NYC. Tommy and Maria talk about their admiration for the elderly and the life experiences they are able to share in conversations. Before the break, Maria tells Tommy how her organization aims for proactive advocacy that provides services to improve policy concerns.
Tommy asks Maria what is considered a grass-roots organization. Maria explains that though StateWide has been established for 50 years, it’s about being involved in the community and connecting with people. Maria says StateWide was founded due to the high percentage of senior citizens living below the poverty line. She gives a brief history of health care acts and how seniors were affected before its existence. Before Social Security was enacted in 1935, seniors would retire with little to no income or health insurance. Maria shares how her organization strives to empower elderly to advocate for themselves and fight for their rights. She talks about memberships that StateWide offers and the communal conventions that are celebrated annually. StateWide prides themselves on being hands-on in their community and ensures advocacy to all elders who are seeking support.
Coming back from the break, Tommy shares his screen through the live stream on Facebook.com/TalkRadio.NYC. We can see the StateWide website and the number to the hotline they offer at the top of the page. In 1995, Maria was named one of NYS’s delegates to the White House conference on aging. Tommy lists the number of boards that Maria actively participates in. Tommy says it’s about staying current, polishing your craft, and staying involved in order to find your space. Maria breaks down the way StateWide works and how they are able to provide services for their members. Tommy asks Maria how often does StateWide engage with caregivers. Before the break, Maria tells the listeners a little more about StateWide’s memberships and how they encourage people of all ages to get involved.
Final segment, Tommy and Maria discuss the life expectancy of senior citizens. Tommy reads that 16% of NYS is 65 years of age or older. Maria noted that in eight years that number can jump to 25%. They talk about the image of retirement and how it’s changed over time. Maria talks about some seniors who suffer to make ends meet or are caregivers and can’t save for retirement. Maria tells listeners ways to get in contact with her or StateWide at nysenior.org. You can find her on Linkedin at Maria Alverez. Before the end of the show, Tommy and Maria encouraged listeners to get involved and check out this year's annual celebration September 12th-14th in Saratoga Springs, NY.
