Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens

10/28/2026

Members of the Catholic Charities Seaside Older Adult Center enjoyed a lovely visit to the Queens County Farm Museum today, exploring the beauty of farm life, connecting with nature, and making special memories together! 💚 🌿

10/28/2026

is honored to have our very own Ron Carson, a valued member of our Older Adult Services team, featured in NYC Aging’s September 2026 newsletter! We’re proud to see Ron’s work and dedication to our community recognized. 👏

Keep reading for NYC Aging’s Q&A with Ron to learn more about his work and contributions.

PROVIDER STAFF PROFILE: Ron Carson

In this section, we highlight extraordinary people in our provider network who support older New Yorkers every day. This month, we spotlight Ron Carson, a dedicated member of the team at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services Inc (CCNS) whose work helps create a welcoming and engaging environment where older New Yorkers can stay active with their community.

Q: What part of your role brings you the greatest sense of fulfillment?

The most fulfilling part of my role is developing staff to engage with older adults with dignity, respect, and compassion. I’m especially proud of the growth of the Best Life Older Adult Center and the welcoming community we’ve built. Seeing our seniors enjoy the programs, build meaningful relationships, and stay active, creative, and socially connected brings me the greatest joy.

Q: Is there a lesson or piece of wisdom from an older New Yorker that has stayed with you over the years?

One lesson that has stayed with me from working with both staff and seniors is that you can learn something from everyone, regardless of their age or life experience. We all come from different backgrounds, and those differences can be an opportunity to learn and grow. I have learned valuable lessons from both listening to our seniors sharing their stories and wisdom and from mentoring our summer youth staff. Each generation has something meaningful to contribute, and I believe that when we take the time to listen to one another, we become better not only as individuals but also as a community.

Q: What is something about your work that people might not see or realize, but that makes a real difference for older adults?

I try to treat everyone the way I would want to be treated – with respect, patience, dignity, and understanding. Sometimes a member may display behavior that is challenging or inappropriate, but I try to look beyond the behavior and recognize that they may be experiencing difficulties in their personal life. Rather than responding with frustration, I try to turn a difficult situation into a positive one. Sometimes, simply showing compassion can make a tremendous difference in their day.

Q: When you think about the future of aging in New York City, what are you most excited or hopeful about?

I am most hopeful that seniors will continue to have affordable and welcoming places where they can go to socialize, enjoy nutritious meals, stay active, and participate in meaningful activities. Senior centers provide much more than programs – they provide a sense of belonging. I hope we continue to invest in these spaces so that older adults can remain connected and engaged while enjoying their later years to the fullest.

Thank you to NYC Aging for highlighting Ron!

Credit: NYC Department for the Aging

Read the full newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/f63cf4a0582c/march-news-and-updates-5869003

Photo: Ron Carson with the Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens team at the Catholic Charities Gail P. Duke Senior Residence in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

10/28/2026

It's ! 💛

DYK falls are a significant public health concern? More than 1 out of 4 older Americans fall each year, leading to serious injuries like hip fractures and head trauma. But these incidents can often be prevented with the simple steps above. Take the first step today! Start with one change from this list, like securing a loose rug or scheduling a medication review. Your independence and safety are worth it. 💙

10/27/2026

💙 The Flushing Letter Carriers (NALC Branch #294) generously raised $1,830 to support the Catholic Charities Food Pantry at St. Michael’s Church in Flushing, Queens. These funds will help provide non-perishable food items to individuals and families in need.

We sincerely thank them for their generosity and commitment to fighting hunger in our community!

10/27/2026

Join at our Nutrition Essentials Workshop on Wednesday, November 4, at Kings Highway Brooklyn Public Library featuring free food samples, giveaways and more! ✨

Scan the QR code to register. 👍

10/22/2026

10/21/2026

Happy ! 💛

Let's adapt to the colder months with our morning routines! As the weather gets colder and the mornings have less sunlight, it's important to adapt your routines. Instead of expecting your body to function the same in a different environment, adjust expectations and focus on consistency over intensity.

1. As soon as you wake up, turn all the lights on! This will wake up your body and set your circadian rhythm up for success.

2. Hydrate - drink water before coffee! Also, drinking water as soon as you wake up helps stimulate the body.

3. Prepare - lay your clothes out, prep your coffee, or put together ingredients for your breakfast. This will help make things go smoother when you're at your groggiest!

4. Warmth - make it easier to get out of your warm bed by having a fluffy robe to put on or a blanket to cozy up in. Or, jump right into a warm shower!

5. Have a nutritious meal - when the weather is darker and colder, it's even more important to start the day by nourishing your body and providing it with energy to get going!

6. Have something to look forward to - be it a fancy smelling soap for your morning shower or a fun morning playlist, have something positive to enjoy at the start of your day.

Happy fall from us at !

10/16/2026

It’s been a busy week for ’s Health and Wellness team as we continue promoting healthier, stronger communities! 💚

🌱 Growing Together: We celebrated another wonderful season at Grace in Bloom Garden with a BBQ, participation certificates, and cherished memories! Thanks to Catholic Charities USA’s Team Up Project Grant, our garden continues to nurture healthy habits, new skills, lasting friendships, and a sense of belonging. 🌻

🏥 Community Connections: At Queens Central Library’s Annual Health & Wellness Fair, we shared valuable resources and connected residents with programs dedicated to empowering and supporting our community.

💉 Preventive Care: Alongside Trinity Rx Pharmacy, we administered 30+ vaccinations including flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, and RSV at B’nai B’rith Queens Apartments in . We also visited Ocean Bay Food Pantry in to provide flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, educate residents about prevention, and offer compassionate care to our older adult community members.

🧠 Mental Wellness: We partnered with Peninsula Library’s ESL and GED students in to share stress-management strategies, a simple four-step coping plan, healthy meal ideas, and giveaways to help students navigate exams, presentations, and other stressful situations.

Together, we’re growing healthier communities! ✨

Catholic Charities USA

10/16/2026

🎨 Brooklyn-based local artist Van Eggers created this lovely mural for our storage pod at the Catholic Charities Msgr. Pfeiffer Resource Center in ! Inspired by 1950s cartoonists and John Hughes films, Van’s artwork brings color, creativity, and joy to our garden.

Thank you, Van, for sharing your talent with our community! 💚