Rosalina Luongo, known by many as Rosie, has been a leader in the BronxWorks Older Adult Services department for over two decades. Rosie is the Assistant Department Director of Services for Older Adults at BronxWorks, and she has been with the organization for over 30 years. In this position, Rosie oversees several BronxWorks Older Adult Centers throughout the borough.
Rosie was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and moved with her family to New York City before she started fifth grade. Once she had completed her education, Rosie was in search of employment and hoping to make a positive impact through her work. A friend who worked in social services in the Bronx suggested that Rosie consider BronxWorks. After looking into the organization, Rosie was eager to apply for any open positions.
I researched the agency and I loved the mission. I really believed in BronxWorks, and I still do. I love the social services we provide to the community in all areas, from children to seniors, and I am proud to be part of this organization.
In 1992, Rosie joined BronxWorks as a receptionist for the Eviction Prevention program. Shortly after she started, Rosie was promoted to Case Manager and continued to progress upward within the program, eventually becoming a Supervisor. In 2000, Rosie was offered to become the Program Director for the E. Roberts Moore Older Adult Center, and then later transferred to be the Program Director of the Heights Older Adult Center. In 2014, Rosie was promoted to Assistant Department Director of Services for Older Adults at BronxWorks. During her time at BronxWorks, Rosie also attended Lehman College in the Bronx and in 2007, she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work. As Assistant Department Director, she now leads the Morris Older Adult Center and oversees two NORCs, or Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, where BronxWorks operates older adult centers within buildings that have a significant retired population. Rosie is proud to be part of the immense growth of senior services provided by BronxWorks. Before the pandemic in 2020, the organization offered four Older Adult Centers; today, BronxWorks operates ten centers, including two NORCs.
Through her work at BronxWorks Older Adult Centers, Rosie has left a positive impact upon hundreds of seniors in our community. She is a strong proponent for health and wellness for seniors, including physical and mental health. At the centers, participants engage in various programs to keep them active and educated on healthy living. By participating in these and other activities at the centers, seniors also find a sense of community that is essential to mental wellbeing as we age.
I am a stronger believer that we all as humans need to interact with others. I have found that a lot of people that retire are used to a lifestyle of working and socializing with people every day. When they retire, they find themselves a little lost. So our goal here at BronxWorks Senior Services is to make sure that they find a second home with us at the centers.
Outside of work, Rosie enjoys many of the same activities the participants do at the centers, such as dancing, listening to music, and hosting events. Her family is most important to her, and she loves to host her mother, children, and grandchildren all together for family gatherings.
Rosalina Luongo, known by many as Rosie, has been a leader in the BronxWorks Older Adult Services department for over two decades. Rosie is the Assistant Department Director of Services for Older Adults at BronxWorks, and she has been with the organization for over 30 years. In this position, Rosie oversees several BronxWorks Older Adult Centers throughout the borough.
Rosie was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and moved with her family to New York City before she started fifth grade. Once she had completed her education, Rosie was in search of employment and hoping to make a positive impact through her work. A friend who worked in social services in the Bronx suggested that Rosie consider BronxWorks. After looking into the organization, Rosie was eager to apply for any open positions.
I researched the agency and I loved the mission. I really believed in BronxWorks, and I still do. I love the social services we provide to the community in all areas, from children to seniors, and I am proud to be part of this organization.
In 1992, Rosie joined BronxWorks as a receptionist for the Eviction Prevention program. Shortly after she started, Rosie was promoted to Case Manager and continued to progress upward within the program, eventually becoming a Supervisor. In 2000, Rosie was offered to become the Program Director for the E. Roberts Moore Older Adult Center, and then later transferred to be the Program Director of the Heights Older Adult Center. In 2014, Rosie was promoted to Assistant Department Director of Services for Older Adults at BronxWorks. During her time at BronxWorks, Rosie also attended Lehman College in the Bronx and in 2007, she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work. As Assistant Department Director, she now leads the Morris Older Adult Center and oversees two NORCs, or Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, where BronxWorks operates older adult centers within buildings that have a significant retired population. Rosie is proud to be part of the immense growth of senior services provided by BronxWorks. Before the pandemic in 2020, the organization offered four Older Adult Centers; today, BronxWorks operates ten centers, including two NORCs.
Through her work at BronxWorks Older Adult Centers, Rosie has left a positive impact upon hundreds of seniors in our community. She is a strong proponent for health and wellness for seniors, including physical and mental health. At the centers, participants engage in various programs to keep them active and educated on healthy living. By participating in these and other activities at the centers, seniors also find a sense of community that is essential to mental wellbeing as we age.
I am a stronger believer that we all as humans need to interact with others. I have found that a lot of people that retire are used to a lifestyle of working and socializing with people every day. When they retire, they find themselves a little lost. So our goal here at BronxWorks Senior Services is to make sure that they find a second home with us at the centers.
Outside of work, Rosie enjoys many of the same activities the participants do at the centers, such as dancing, listening to music, and hosting events. Her family is most important to her, and she loves to host her mother, children, and grandchildren all together for family gatherings.
