CHOICE of NY

08/26/2026

“It seems like the more I give, the more I get. And that is the way it’s supposed to go in life.”—Dolly Parton

Today, we remember Dolly Parton—not only as an incomparable entertainer, but as a woman whose generosity transformed lives.

That spirit was beautifully reflected at last week’s CHOICE Pretrial Community Services Community Health Fair in Mount Vernon. Neighbors came together to enjoy free food, clothing, books, vital resources, music from our DJ, dancing, games, and so much more—all offered in the spirit of community and care.

The books distributed that day feel especially meaningful as we honor Dolly. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, she founded the Imagination Library to place free books in the hands of young children and help their dreams take root.

Following the heartbreaking news that Dolly died after a brief battle with cancer, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. May we continue honoring her by giving generously, supporting our neighbors, and ensuring that every person feels seen, valued, and empowered.

Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.
January 19, 1946–August 25, 2026

08/22/2026

Community, connection, resources and a whole lot of fun at Hartley Park! 💚

What an incredible turnout for our Community Health & Resource Fair in Mount Vernon!

It was wonderful to see the park filled with neighbors connecting with organizations and resources, kids playing games, people dancing to the music, families enjoying the day together, and community members picking up free food, clothing and other essentials.

A very special thank you to our CHOICE Pretrial Services team, the CHOICE Workforce Program and all of the incredible volunteers who put so much time and energy into making the day possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you as well to DJ Primovelli for keeping the music and energy going, every vendor and community organization that set up shop, our event partners and affiliates, and everyone who came ready to share information, services and support with the Mount Vernon community.

We were also so glad to welcome Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard to the fair and have her join us for such a special day of community connection.

And, of course, thank you to every person and family who stopped by, danced, played, explored the tables, grabbed a bite to eat, found a new resource or simply spent some time with their neighbors.

This is what community looks like. 💚

Swipe through for a few moments from a beautiful day at Hartley Park, with more to come!

08/19/2026

Here’s a healthy heads-up for today! 💙

CHOICE OF NY’s Pretrial Services team is hosting a FREE, family-friendly Community Health & Resource Fair today, Wednesday, August 19, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Hartley Park in Mount Vernon!

Stop by for health services, helpful community resources, food, giveaways and more. Bring the family—and make sure to say hello to our awesome Pretrial team while you’re there!

Please note that all Pretrial Services staff will be attending the event and will not be present in court today. Access to calls and emails will also be limited. All referrals will be addressed tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 20.

📸 The team photo included here was taken this past May at the 2026 914INC. Wunderkinds Awards, where our very own Sabrina Fata, Program Director for Pretrial Services, was recognized as one of Westchester’s outstanding young professionals.

08/18/2026

This Wednesday, we’re bringing resources, support and community together in one place!

CHOICE Pretrial Services is excited to host the Community Health & Resource Fair at Hartley Park on August 19 from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Stop by for health services, healthy living resources, food, giveaways, community connections and more. Bring the family, come say hello and spend part of the day with us!

Hartley Park
255 Gramatan Ave, Mount Vernon, NY

We hope to see you there!

08/09/2026

A caseworker sitting for a Netflix documentary about the client who disappeared for 3 months and then called at 4:58. 🎬😅

Huge thank you to Colette from our Choice of New York White Plains location for being such a good sport and participating in this trend!

And just to be clear, this is a parody trend. As far as we know, Netflix is not currently making a documentary about casework, although the work caseworkers do every day would make a pretty compelling subject and deserves a lot more attention.

Because behind the joke is something very real: clients can fall out of compliance, lose touch, hit unexpected barriers, and sometimes reconnect at the very last minute. Whatever the circumstances, our role is not to judge. It’s to meet people where they are with compassion, patience, expertise, guidance, and help navigating the systems in front of them.

If you or a loved one in Westchester County or the Bronx could benefit from case management support, learn more and reach out at AChoiceOfNY.org.

08/06/2026

08/06/2026

A new chapter in accessible recovery support begins at CHOICE of New York. 💙

Yesterday, we joined representatives from St. John’s Riverside Hospital, the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health, and other community partners at our White Plains location to announce a new collaboration expanding access to behavioral health and recovery services.

Through this partnership, CHOICE clients can connect with St. John’s Comprehensive Recovery Center for counseling, co-occurring disorder treatment, harm-reduction services, gambling-addiction support, and more. Group programming is now offered at our White Plains case-management office:

📅 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
🕙 10–11 AM

By bringing trusted providers and case-management professionals together, we are helping make care easier to access with compassion, continuity, and dignity.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this partnership possible. Together, we are strengthening recovery resources throughout Westchester County.

08/06/2026

🎒✨ Throwback Thursday to CHOICE of New York’s 2024 Back-to-School Bash!

From backpacks and school supplies to community resources, smiling families, and plenty of excitement, this event was such a wonderful way to help local students begin the school year feeling prepared and supported.

We’re so excited for tomorrow’s 2026 Citywide Back-to-School Giveaway, presented by the City of New Rochelle Youth Bureau! This year, CHOICE of New York is proud to participate as a community partner alongside other local organizations serving New Rochelle families.

📅 Tomorrow, Friday, August 7
🕒 3 PM
📍 New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue
🌦️ Rain or shine
🏠 For New Rochelle residents only

If your child or a family you know could use additional school supplies, there is absolutely no shame in reaching out for support. Please share so more families can start the school year ready to learn and thrive. 💙✏️

08/06/2026

🎒 Why do back-to-school events like this matter?

As we prepare to join tomorrow’s 2026 Citywide Back-to-School Giveaway as a community partner, we’re looking back at this conversation from CHOICE of New York’s 2024 back-to-school event with Lynn.

In this video, Lynn discusses why events like these are about so much more than backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. They help families connect with trusted local organizations, learn about available resources, and begin the school year knowing their community is standing beside them.

This year’s event is being presented by the City of New Rochelle Youth Bureau, and CHOICE of New York is proud to participate alongside other local partners.

📅 Tomorrow, Friday, August 7
🕒 3 PM
📍 New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue
🌦️ Rain or shine
🏠 For New Rochelle residents only

If your child or someone you know could use additional school supplies, there is no shame in reaching out for support. Every student deserves to begin the year feeling prepared and confident. 💙

08/05/2026

🩲 August 5 is National Underwear Day, but for many people, clean underwear is not something they can take for granted.

Underwear is one of the most urgently needed yet least frequently donated essentials for people experiencing homelessness, housing instability or financial hardship. Without reliable access to laundry facilities, bathrooms or a safe place to store belongings, something as basic as a fresh pair can make an enormous difference in a person’s health, comfort, confidence and dignity.

At CHOICE of NY, we help connect members of our community with underwear and other essentials, including food, diapers, sanitary and menstrual products, personal-care supplies and more. These resources are primarily available through our White Plains location, with additional assistance and services available in New Rochelle and Peekskill, depending on current supplies and individual needs.

At our White Plains location, you can also visit our CHOICE Market, where we are beginning to create a dedicated shelf for household goods and other practical necessities that can help individuals and families feel more secure at home.

No one should have to choose between purchasing food, diapers, period products, household necessities or clean underwear. These are not luxuries. They are basic needs that support health, stability and human dignity.

Need assistance, want to make a referral or interested in supporting our work? Visit choiceofny.org to reach out and learn more.