Partnership helps Queens nonprofit expand senior transit program

Samsung held its 18th annual charity gala in Manhattan, raising more than $2.4 million. Ryan Seacrest emceed the event on behalf of his foundation. Celebrities in attendance included Jerry Seinfeld and Dwyane Wade. 

Local nonprofit leaders took the stage at New York City Employment and Training Coalition’s conference on workforce development. Robin Hood Foundation CEO Wes Moore delivered the keynote speech yesterday, while Maria Torres-Springer, vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation, also served as a featured speaker. Among the many speakers from the nonprofit sector: Joe Ortiz, executive director of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition; Katy Gaul-Stigge, CEO of Goodwill Industries Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; Dianne Morales, executive director and CEO of Phipps Neighborhoods; and Charles Buice, president of the Tiger Foundation.

"We educate our students today in the same way we did back in the 1600's," says @Dianne4NYC. Without rethinking everything from the ground up, we're not giving young people the chance to succeed in our future economy. #NYCETCconference2019

— NYCETC (@NYCETC_org) September 23, 2019

Youth INC raised $1.7 million at its fifth annual RBC Race for the Kids event on Saturday. With the support of more than 30 corporate sponsors, the organization offered live performances, games, and athletic activities to thousands of participants, according to the press release. The raised funds will support Youth INC, Literacy Inc., Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald House New York, and the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.

Seniors are getting transportation help thanks to a partnership between Queens Community House, Forest Hills Stadium and Lyft. The collaboration allows the nonprofit to expand its transportation services aiding seniors going to medical appointments. Its service area will double, as well as allow riders to go outside of Queens for any health care appointments. Participating seniors will also no longer have a monthly cap for their rides or be required to take on a portion of the cost – the services will be free through Lyft Concierge. 

As New York City aims to create a way to fund indirect costs, nonprofits can offer input. The City Implementation Team – formed by the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services and Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget – has released a survey asking organizations about indirect cost rates to inform their planning efforts. Take it here. 

The New York City Department for the Aging negotiated a contract extension with the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged. The $1.1 million contract will support services for the elderly and a program for eligible seniors in Queens Community District 14. On Sep. 30, a public hearing will be held on a proposed $1.4 million contract between the city Administration for Children’s Services and the Public Consulting Group for social security advocacy services. 

And if you have thoughts on what constitutes a “respectful” burial, the Human Resources Administration wants your input. The department released a request for information on how to improve New York City’s burial program on everything from transportation to cremation.