When temperatures drop below freezing, the New York City Department of Homeless Services calls a Code Blue. Should you see anyone at risk, especially a homeless individual, please call 311. The BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team will be dispatched to offer assistance.
BronxWorks food pantries operate on a client-choice model, allowing individuals to select the items they prefer. Distribution is based on family size to ensure appropriate support. We are appointment-based, and all clients must call the hotline (646.596.1316) on the designated call day to schedule an appointment. Appointments are issued on a first-call, first-served basis. Please note that some sites have limited availability, so we strongly recommend calling early, as appointments fill up quickly. Click here for a full list of BronxWorks pantry sites.
Even as a child, Sheila Rodriguez, MBA, was troubled by the fact that people in her community lived without homes or enough food. Sheila knew from an early age that she wanted to work towards real change for her neighbors. Raised in the Bronx for most of her childhood, Sheila first learned the importance of community from her family. Her parents would often go out of their way to support those in need however they could. Her family’s generous actions and values instilled in Sheila a strong sense of compassion and care for others that has remained with her to this day.
Throughout her life, Sheila has grown personally and professionally to make a positive impact in her community. She earned her BA in Criminal Justice from SUNY Oswego, and she earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Touro University last year. Sheila is currently working towards her Doctorate in Business Administration. Her ultimate goal is to have ‘a seat at the table’ of decision makers and to represent the needs of her community members.
The significant need I see within our community, particularly concerning the homeless population, fuels my personal and professional interests. It has brought me to a place where I feel a strong calling to help break down the systemic barriers that have marginalized my clients for years.”
Before joining BronxWorks and the social service sector, Sheila briefly worked in the fashion industry. While that job differed greatly from her current career, Sheila says she learned a lot about communicating with and understanding people, which now helps her immensely as a human services worker. Sheila joined BronxWorks in 2021 as a Case Manager for the Homebase program, in which she assisted those facing eviction with resources to keep them stably housed. After less than a year with the organization, Sheila was offered the Case Manager position in the BronxWorks Transform program, which supports families as they transition out of shelter and into long-term housing. Her knowledge from the Homebase program greatly informed her work in Transform, as she continued to support those fighting to remain stably housed.
As the sole Case Manager of the Transform program, Sheila supports over 60 clients, most of whom have multiple children. She views her role as an advocate for the families; whatever they may be struggling with as they transition into housing, Sheila advocates for them and their needs. Her work is varied and often includes: mediating with landlords and utility companies; facilitating school enrollment and special education assessments; referring parents to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department and other internal resources; and much more.
I strive to make each client feel seen, respected, and understood. I want them to know that their individual journey matters. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside someone, offering guidance and assistance, and to ultimately see them emerge with hope for a brighter future.”
Outside of work and her studies, Sheila loves to hike and kayak. For her, downtime is best spent enjoying time with friends and family in nature to reconnect and recharge.
Even as a child, Sheila Rodriguez, MBA, was troubled by the fact that people in her community lived without homes or enough food. Sheila knew from an early age that she wanted to work towards real change for her neighbors. Raised in the Bronx for most of her childhood, Sheila first learned the importance of community from her family. Her parents would often go out of their way to support those in need however they could. Her family’s generous actions and values instilled in Sheila a strong sense of compassion and care for others that has remained with her to this day.
Throughout her life, Sheila has grown personally and professionally to make a positive impact in her community. She earned her BA in Criminal Justice from SUNY Oswego, and she earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Touro University last year. Sheila is currently working towards her Doctorate in Business Administration. Her ultimate goal is to have ‘a seat at the table’ of decision makers and to represent the needs of her community members.
The significant need I see within our community, particularly concerning the homeless population, fuels my personal and professional interests. It has brought me to a place where I feel a strong calling to help break down the systemic barriers that have marginalized my clients for years.”
Before joining BronxWorks and the social service sector, Sheila briefly worked in the fashion industry. While that job differed greatly from her current career, Sheila says she learned a lot about communicating with and understanding people, which now helps her immensely as a human services worker. Sheila joined BronxWorks in 2021 as a Case Manager for the Homebase program, in which she assisted those facing eviction with resources to keep them stably housed. After less than a year with the organization, Sheila was offered the Case Manager position in the BronxWorks Transform program, which supports families as they transition out of shelter and into long-term housing. Her knowledge from the Homebase program greatly informed her work in Transform, as she continued to support those fighting to remain stably housed.
As the sole Case Manager of the Transform program, Sheila supports over 60 clients, most of whom have multiple children. She views her role as an advocate for the families; whatever they may be struggling with as they transition into housing, Sheila advocates for them and their needs. Her work is varied and often includes: mediating with landlords and utility companies; facilitating school enrollment and special education assessments; referring parents to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department and other internal resources; and much more.
I strive to make each client feel seen, respected, and understood. I want them to know that their individual journey matters. It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside someone, offering guidance and assistance, and to ultimately see them emerge with hope for a brighter future.”
Outside of work and her studies, Sheila loves to hike and kayak. For her, downtime is best spent enjoying time with friends and family in nature to reconnect and recharge.
The BronxWorks Workforce Development Department (WFD) provides a myriad of services to help our neighbors obtain gainful employment and further their careers. In addition to workforce training and employment assistance, the department also offers financial literacy and resources to assist community members as they increase their financial knowledge, understand budgeting and banking options, and obtain assistance with filing taxes and securing credits.
With April being Financial Literacy Month and the 2025 tax season coming to a close, BronxWorks WFD programming has been in full swing to support our neighbors as they file their taxes and pursue financial security.
Free Tax Preparation
In partnership with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)’s NYC Free Tax Prep program, BronxWorks has offered free tax preparation services to individuals and families who qualify since 2007. Each year, BronxWorks dedicates dozens of staff members and volunteers, all of whom are IRS-certified VITA/TCE tax preparers, to support our neighbors in need of assistance with their tax returns. During the 2025 tax season, BronxWorks assisted over 8,300 residents in filing their taxes and maximizing their returns.
From January to April, BronxWorks free tax filing services are available across six different locations, including our WFD main office and Morris Older Adult Center, with some locations offering weekend and/or extended hours. Those who qualify can also access these services remotely. Additionally, in collaboration with Montefiore Medical Center and NYC Health & Hospitals, BronxWorks assists residents in the north Bronx in preparing their taxes and securing various tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). BronxWorks also often works in collaboration with local elected officials to provide these services to their constituents.
A BronxWorks NYC Free Tax Prep staff member assists a client with filing their tax return.
Financial Empowerment
Another key program providing financial literacy resources to the Bronx community is the BronxWorks Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). This program, also in partnership with NYC DCWP, offers free one-on-one financial counseling to residents of the borough, with a focus on low- to moderate-income households. As a result of the program’s efforts, FEC provided financial counseling and education sessions to 986 individuals in 2024.
FEC staff assist participants in strategies to reduce debt, strengthen credit scores, develop routine savings practices, create budgets, and much more. For financial services that BronxWorks does not provide, FEC staff are able to refer households to other resources within the community. In addition to one-on-one sessions, FEC staff also facilitate group workshops in collaboration with a variety of local partners to help participants improve their financial knowledge and literacy.
BronxWorks Financial Empowerment Center staff; Herbert Green (left), and Karla Velasquez (right).
“We provide personalized financial counseling to help our clients make informed decisions, maximize tax refunds, and achieve long-term economic well-being. Whether they’re looking to create a budget, manage debt, build savings, or navigate the challenges of tax preparation, our experienced team is here to help. We support them every step of the way toward a stronger, more confident financial future.”
– Karla Velasquez, Program Director, FEC, NYC Free Tax Prep, FSS, RH Taxes
Collaboration Across Programs and Departments
Collaboration among the various programs and departments at BronxWorks has always been a core tenant of the organization. For example, FEC staff often facilitate financial workshops for our Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participants, which is a program that connects young individuals with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience throughout the summer. FEC also hosts a banking fair, where all SYEP participants are invited to meet with representatives from local banks and open a bank account. In addition to collaboration among WFD programs, FEC staff work with our family shelter staff to provide financial counseling workshops in multiple languages to families residing in our shelters.
Our NYC Free Tax Prep program also connects with the BronxWorks Work Learn Grow (WLG) program to staff this seasonal service. WLG provides former SYEP participants who are in school with career readiness training and paid employment opportunities for up to 25 weeks during the school year. During the 2025 tax season, BronxWorks employed four WLG participants to assist staff members with conducting intake or filing taxes at our NYC Free Tax Prep sites.
Income Support Services After Job Readiness
BronxWorks is proud to offer a variety of workforce development programs that support our neighbors through their journey to financial stability. To assist with finding employment, participants receive job readiness services such as resume workshops, interview preparation, workplace etiquette, adult education classes, sector-focused occupational skills training, and more. After participants find employment, BronxWorks also provides income support services through our Financial Empowerment Center and NYC Free Tax Prep services. Income support services are an important aspect of workforce development at BronxWorks because they equip our neighbors to maintain stable income for their household and find financial success as they plan for the future. Additionally, participants in need of further wraparound services are connected to other BronxWorks programs that may fulfill their needs. For example, a participant in the Workforce Development department could be referred to our Children & Youth department for after-school support, our Benefits Access department to apply for benefits to which they may be entitled, our Community Health department for food and nutrition access, and more.
The BronxWorks Workforce Development Department (WFD) provides a myriad of services to help our neighbors obtain gainful employment and further their careers. In addition to workforce training and employment assistance, the department also offers financial literacy and resources to assist community members as they increase their financial knowledge, understand budgeting and banking options, and obtain assistance with filing taxes and securing credits.
With April being Financial Literacy Month and the 2025 tax season coming to a close, BronxWorks WFD programming has been in full swing to support our neighbors as they file their taxes and pursue financial security.
Free Tax Preparation
In partnership with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)’s NYC Free Tax Prep program, BronxWorks has offered free tax preparation services to individuals and families who qualify since 2007. Each year, BronxWorks dedicates dozens of staff members and volunteers, all of whom are IRS-certified VITA/TCE tax preparers, to support our neighbors in need of assistance with their tax returns. During the 2025 tax season, BronxWorks assisted over 8,300 residents in filing their taxes and maximizing their returns.
From January to April, BronxWorks free tax filing services are available across six different locations, including our WFD main office and Morris Older Adult Center, with some locations offering weekend and/or extended hours. Those who qualify can also access these services remotely. Additionally, in collaboration with Montefiore Medical Center and NYC Health & Hospitals, BronxWorks assists residents in the north Bronx in preparing their taxes and securing various tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). BronxWorks also often works in collaboration with local elected officials to provide these services to their constituents.
A BronxWorks NYC Free Tax Prep staff member assists a client with filing their tax return.
Financial Empowerment
Another key program providing financial literacy resources to the Bronx community is the BronxWorks Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). This program, also in partnership with NYC DCWP, offers free one-on-one financial counseling to residents of the borough, with a focus on low- to moderate-income households. As a result of the program’s efforts, FEC provided financial counseling and education sessions to 986 individuals in 2024.
FEC staff assist participants in strategies to reduce debt, strengthen credit scores, develop routine savings practices, create budgets, and much more. For financial services that BronxWorks does not provide, FEC staff are able to refer households to other resources within the community. In addition to one-on-one sessions, FEC staff also facilitate group workshops in collaboration with a variety of local partners to help participants improve their financial knowledge and literacy.
BronxWorks Financial Empowerment Center staff; Herbert Green (left), and Karla Velasquez (right).
“We provide personalized financial counseling to help our clients make informed decisions, maximize tax refunds, and achieve long-term economic well-being. Whether they’re looking to create a budget, manage debt, build savings, or navigate the challenges of tax preparation, our experienced team is here to help. We support them every step of the way toward a stronger, more confident financial future.”
– Karla Velasquez, Program Director, FEC, NYC Free Tax Prep, FSS, RH Taxes
Collaboration Across Programs and Departments
Collaboration among the various programs and departments at BronxWorks has always been a core tenant of the organization. For example, FEC staff often facilitate financial workshops for our Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participants, which is a program that connects young individuals with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience throughout the summer. FEC also hosts a banking fair, where all SYEP participants are invited to meet with representatives from local banks and open a bank account. In addition to collaboration among WFD programs, FEC staff work with our family shelter staff to provide financial counseling workshops in multiple languages to families residing in our shelters.
Our NYC Free Tax Prep program also connects with the BronxWorks Work Learn Grow (WLG) program to staff this seasonal service. WLG provides former SYEP participants who are in school with career readiness training and paid employment opportunities for up to 25 weeks during the school year. During the 2025 tax season, BronxWorks employed four WLG participants to assist staff members with conducting intake or filing taxes at our NYC Free Tax Prep sites.
Income Support Services After Job Readiness
BronxWorks is proud to offer a variety of workforce development programs that support our neighbors through their journey to financial stability. To assist with finding employment, participants receive job readiness services such as resume workshops, interview preparation, workplace etiquette, adult education classes, sector-focused occupational skills training, and more. After participants find employment, BronxWorks also provides income support services through our Financial Empowerment Center and NYC Free Tax Prep services. Income support services are an important aspect of workforce development at BronxWorks because they equip our neighbors to maintain stable income for their household and find financial success as they plan for the future. Additionally, participants in need of further wraparound services are connected to other BronxWorks programs that may fulfill their needs. For example, a participant in the Workforce Development department could be referred to our Children & Youth department for after-school support, our Benefits Access department to apply for benefits to which they may be entitled, our Community Health department for food and nutrition access, and more.
Passion for uplifting our neighbors and our community is a common thread throughout BronxWorks staff, whether or not they are in outward-facing roles. BronxWorks operational staff, while they are not in direct service, are integral to the continuation and success of our programs. Jose Ramos, Porter at the Workforce Development Office, embodies this passion and dedication to the BronxWorks mission in his work every day.
Jose has always been a hard worker and began working when he was young to help maintain his family’s farmland. He has held many jobs throughout his life, including several in maintenance. While working in maintenance at a supermarket, a coworker asked Jose if he was interested in a job somewhere else. That is when he introduced Jose to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department. Shortly thereafter, Jose joined the organization as a Porter for the Workforce Development Office in 2023 and he has been with BronxWorks ever since. When asked what he does in his position, Jose simply answers “I clean.” Despite his humble nature, Jose does much more than clean to support his department.
“He is more than our porter. Jose does everything he needs to do and then some… Even though he is not working with clients in the same capacity as other staff, he still supports them and the clients have come to know him as well.” Haidy Pena, Career Development Specialist, Workforce Development
Jose is known among his colleagues to go above and beyond his position to help others. In addition to thoroughly maintaining the cleanliness, and therefore the safety, of the office, he goes out of his way to help his fellow staff with whatever they need, without being asked. Betty Ann Tamaisar, Vice President of Workforce Development, describes Jose as “selfless, hardworking, and the epitome of what it means to be a good employee.”
The work my department does is very important, I am happy to be a part of something that helps the community.”– Jose
Since moving to New York City, Jose has started his own family and now has a wife and two grown children. In his time outside of work Jose devotes himself to his family. While his children are now adults, Jose feels that he is never done raising them.
Passion for uplifting our neighbors and our community is a common thread throughout BronxWorks staff, whether or not they are in outward-facing roles. BronxWorks operational staff, while they are not in direct service, are integral to the continuation and success of our programs. Jose Ramos, Porter at the Workforce Development Office, embodies this passion and dedication to the BronxWorks mission in his work every day.
Jose has always been a hard worker and began working when he was young to help maintain his family’s farmland. He has held many jobs throughout his life, including several in maintenance. While working in maintenance at a supermarket, a coworker asked Jose if he was interested in a job somewhere else. That is when he introduced Jose to the BronxWorks Workforce Development department. Shortly thereafter, Jose joined the organization as a Porter for the Workforce Development Office in 2023 and he has been with BronxWorks ever since. When asked what he does in his position, Jose simply answers “I clean.” Despite his humble nature, Jose does much more than clean to support his department.
“He is more than our porter. Jose does everything he needs to do and then some… Even though he is not working with clients in the same capacity as other staff, he still supports them and the clients have come to know him as well.” Haidy Pena, Career Development Specialist, Workforce Development
Jose is known among his colleagues to go above and beyond his position to help others. In addition to thoroughly maintaining the cleanliness, and therefore the safety, of the office, he goes out of his way to help his fellow staff with whatever they need, without being asked. Betty Ann Tamaisar, Vice President of Workforce Development, describes Jose as “selfless, hardworking, and the epitome of what it means to be a good employee.”
The work my department does is very important, I am happy to be a part of something that helps the community.”– Jose
Since moving to New York City, Jose has started his own family and now has a wife and two grown children. In his time outside of work Jose devotes himself to his family. While his children are now adults, Jose feels that he is never done raising them.
BronxWorks is proud to celebrate National Social Work Month every March. Social work is rooted in decades of advocacy and dedication to the most vulnerable in our communities. The contributions of social workers have immeasurably shaped our society and led to the establishment of organizations, like BronxWorks, to assist those facing challenges in the community.
Social workers are a vital part of the BronxWorks infrastructure, supporting clients in almost every department across the agency. Each year, the BronxWorks Social Work Committee hosts an Empowerment and Appreciation Breakfast for all social workers on staff to attend. This year’s theme was Compassion in Action, and over 30 social workers were in attendance. Everyone enjoyed breakfast before coming together for a fun ice-breaker activity. Staff paired up to ask each other about their social work inspirations and aspirations, as well as get to know each other personally with other intriguing questions.
BronxWorks is incredibly grateful to all our social workers for the dedication and compassion they show their clients. This annual event is just one of the ways BronxWorks strives to uplift and show appreciation for our social work staff. The BronxWorks Social Work Committee works to provide various opportunities to support current or aspiring social workers across the agency, including scholarship applications, information about social work licenses, collaborative study sessions, continuing education credits, and more. BronxWorks also offers a One Year Residency (OYR) Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program, which supports staff in earning their MSW by qualifying their work at BronxWorks as their Field Placement, allowing the staff to continue working while earning their degree.
Members of the BronxWorks Social Work Committee Leadership Team.
During the event, some staff shared their thoughts on the question – What does a social worker do? Here are some of their responses:
“Social workers support people to move their lives in a positive direction, in a way that is meaningful to them.” – Amy Greenbaum-Strauss, Department Director of Training & Professional Development
“We listen so people can be heard.” – Jose Grafals, Case Manager Supervisor, Safe Options Support
“As a social worker, we help individuals navigate challenges in their lives that they feel they can’t overcome. We show them that they can overcome them.” – Elizabeth Reyes, Director of Social Services, Stebbins
“We help people help themselves.” – Reyna Lora, Social Worker, Pyramid Safe Haven
Thank you to all social workers for your hard work and commitment to supporting your community and the BronxWorks mission.
BronxWorks is proud to celebrate National Social Work Month every March. Social work is rooted in decades of advocacy and dedication to the most vulnerable in our communities. The contributions of social workers have immeasurably shaped our society and led to the establishment of organizations, like BronxWorks, to assist those facing challenges in the community.
Social workers are a vital part of the BronxWorks infrastructure, supporting clients in almost every department across the agency. Each year, the BronxWorks Social Work Committee hosts an Empowerment and Appreciation Breakfast for all social workers on staff to attend. This year’s theme was Compassion in Action, and over 30 social workers were in attendance. Everyone enjoyed breakfast before coming together for a fun ice-breaker activity. Staff paired up to ask each other about their social work inspirations and aspirations, as well as get to know each other personally with other intriguing questions.
BronxWorks is incredibly grateful to all our social workers for the dedication and compassion they show their clients. This annual event is just one of the ways BronxWorks strives to uplift and show appreciation for our social work staff. The BronxWorks Social Work Committee works to provide various opportunities to support current or aspiring social workers across the agency, including scholarship applications, information about social work licenses, collaborative study sessions, continuing education credits, and more. BronxWorks also offers a One Year Residency (OYR) Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program, which supports staff in earning their MSW by qualifying their work at BronxWorks as their Field Placement, allowing the staff to continue working while earning their degree.
Members of the BronxWorks Social Work Committee Leadership Team.
During the event, some staff shared their thoughts on the question – What does a social worker do? Here are some of their responses:
“Social workers support people to move their lives in a positive direction, in a way that is meaningful to them.” – Amy Greenbaum-Strauss, Department Director of Training & Professional Development
“We listen so people can be heard.” – Jose Grafals, Case Manager Supervisor, Safe Options Support
“As a social worker, we help individuals navigate challenges in their lives that they feel they can’t overcome. We show them that they can overcome them.” – Elizabeth Reyes, Director of Social Services, Stebbins
“We help people help themselves.” – Reyna Lora, Social Worker, Pyramid Safe Haven
Thank you to all social workers for your hard work and commitment to supporting your community and the BronxWorks mission.
Jessica Reyna, LMSW, developed her passion for social work long before she knew about the career. Born in Connecticut, Jessica’s life experiences influenced her desire to support the community through her work. Now Jessica is a licensed social worker, working as a Clinical Coordinator at the BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS), where she leads direct client support for some of our most disadvantaged neighbors in the Bronx.
Jessica earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Barnard College in Psychology, originally pursuing a career as a psychologist. However, she realized that career would not fulfill her goal of working within the community. She decided to search for jobs in community-based organizations, which led her to BronxWorks. Jessica started with the organization in 2016 as a Case Manager in the BronxWorks EXCEL program, assisting young adults in earning their high school equivalency diploma.
“Getting to learn each student’s situation in EXCEL, I thought ‘Wow, these participants could really benefit from interacting with a social worker’. That got me thinking, ‘How can I bring that into this space?’ I began to think about going back to school for social work.”
As she continued her career with BronxWorks, Jessica developed an interest in becoming a social worker. She was encouraged by her supervisors to apply to the BronxWorks One Year Residency (OYR) Master’s in Social Work (MSW) program, which supports staff pursuing a MSW degree by qualifying their work at BronxWorks as their Field Placement. Participating in the OYR program allowed Jessica, and many other BronxWorks staff, to earn their Master’s Degree in Social Work while continuing their full-time job with the agency.
“Looking at my career, I think BronxWorks has been really supportive, really helped to grow my career. I like to praise the OYR program a lot because that really helped me be able to do my internship while working, so I didn’t have to do that outside working a full-time job too. I have a lot of appreciation for their support.”
During her time in the OYR/MSW program, Jessica changed roles to be a Case Manager at the BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS). She started at JAMS in August 2020 and earned her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University in May 2022. Shortly after earning her MSW, Jessica was promoted to Clinical Coordinator at JAMS, supervising case managers and providing direct client support to address their individual challenges.
“The role of a social worker is to really get to know the people they’re serving, to understand the person as a whole and all the factors that may be impacting their progress. It’s also to provide resources and empower the client to feel ready to accept those resources.”
Jessica hopes to one day work in one-on-one therapy and make community-based therapy more accessible to our neighbors. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with friends, baking, and taking walks in local parks.
Jessica Reyna, LMSW, developed her passion for social work long before she knew about the career. Born in Connecticut, Jessica’s life experiences influenced her desire to support the community through her work. Now Jessica is a licensed social worker, working as a Clinical Coordinator at the BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS), where she leads direct client support for some of our most disadvantaged neighbors in the Bronx.
Jessica earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Barnard College in Psychology, originally pursuing a career as a psychologist. However, she realized that career would not fulfill her goal of working within the community. She decided to search for jobs in community-based organizations, which led her to BronxWorks. Jessica started with the organization in 2016 as a Case Manager in the BronxWorks EXCEL program, assisting young adults in earning their high school equivalency diploma.
“Getting to learn each student’s situation in EXCEL, I thought ‘Wow, these participants could really benefit from interacting with a social worker’. That got me thinking, ‘How can I bring that into this space?’ I began to think about going back to school for social work.”
As she continued her career with BronxWorks, Jessica developed an interest in becoming a social worker. She was encouraged by her supervisors to apply to the BronxWorks One Year Residency (OYR) Master’s in Social Work (MSW) program, which supports staff pursuing a MSW degree by qualifying their work at BronxWorks as their Field Placement. Participating in the OYR program allowed Jessica, and many other BronxWorks staff, to earn their Master’s Degree in Social Work while continuing their full-time job with the agency.
“Looking at my career, I think BronxWorks has been really supportive, really helped to grow my career. I like to praise the OYR program a lot because that really helped me be able to do my internship while working, so I didn’t have to do that outside working a full-time job too. I have a lot of appreciation for their support.”
During her time in the OYR/MSW program, Jessica changed roles to be a Case Manager at the BronxWorks Jerome Avenue Men’s Shelter (JAMS). She started at JAMS in August 2020 and earned her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University in May 2022. Shortly after earning her MSW, Jessica was promoted to Clinical Coordinator at JAMS, supervising case managers and providing direct client support to address their individual challenges.
“The role of a social worker is to really get to know the people they’re serving, to understand the person as a whole and all the factors that may be impacting their progress. It’s also to provide resources and empower the client to feel ready to accept those resources.”
Jessica hopes to one day work in one-on-one therapy and make community-based therapy more accessible to our neighbors. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with friends, baking, and taking walks in local parks.
February is National Senior Independence Month, and BronxWorks is proud to support seniors in our community with a variety of programming that empowers them to sustain independent, fulfilling lives. As part of our many services for older adults, BronxWorks operates ten Older Adult Centers located throughout the borough, providing recreational activities, meals, celebrations, workshops, access to other BronxWorks resources, and most importantly, a sense of community for our seniors.
BronxWorks Older Adult Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, offering a full day of activities. Participants are served breakfast and lunch each day, and programs often include various physical activities, crafting and other hobbies, holiday parties, technology classes, and more. Seniors can also sign up for weekly local trips with transportation provided to places like the supermarket, Walmart, or the movies.
“Going to BronxWorks is very important to me. It’s better than staying home, doing nothing. You come here, you do exercise. It really helped me. I feel better… I’m really, really happy coming here.”
Alice, BronxWorks Older Adult Center Participant
Bronx older adults are encouraged to maintain independence and influence in their participation at our centers. They are welcome to be at the center all day during open hours, or they may attend at their preference based on the schedule of activities. Seniors also contribute to the decision-making process for trips and recreation ideas, and they often volunteer in the center’s operations, such as helping in the kitchen, conducting event registration, and decorating for holidays.
“Seniors in our community often face many of the same challenges as our other neighbors – food insecurity, housing instability, lack of educational opportunities – but they may not know how to address these issues. Our Older Adult Centers provide the seniors with a system of support and resources that empowers them to live their best life.”
Bibi Karim, Vice President, Services for Older Adults
This month, BronxWorks Older Adult Centers are celebrating Black History Month and National Senior Independence Month, among many other holidays. In celebration of Black History Month, a group of older adults visited the Harlem International Museum of Black History. Seniors also painted traditional African masks and portraits of loved ones to celebrate Black History. To emphasize National Senior Independence Month, representatives from NYPD and FDNY visited and led workshops focusing on safety and emergency preparedness within their homes and neighborhoods. Having access to these and many other resources empowers our older adults to maintain independence in their lives.
Along with daily recreation and socialization, the Older Adult Centers also provide case assistance and referral for all participants to support their specific needs that may be addressed through other BronxWorks programs. Some community services offered by BronxWorks are located at one or several Older Adult Center locations to increase ease of access for the seniors. For example, the Morris Older Adult Center acts as a location for free tax prep from January to April that is open to the public, but also often utilized by the Morris seniors. Several centers host a monthly food pantry to support our neighbors facing food insecurity. Seniors can also take advantage of classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) offered by BronxWorks at various locations. In addition, BronxWorks case management addresses other critical needs, such as elder abuse or housing instability.
At our Older Adult Centers, seniors have innumerable opportunities and immeasurable impact upon the services offered, allowing them to shape their retirement years to be fulfilling and vibrant. BronxWorks welcomes any New York City resident over the age of 60 at any of our centers.
“So many people plan to retire, but they don’t know how they will fill their days. An Older Adult Center is a wonderful opportunity to maintain your vitality, your joy, to fulfill dreams and visions that you thought maybe you thought you could not fulfill, and to explore new avenues in your life.”
Solomon Smart, Program Director, East Concourse Older Adult Center
Solomon Smart, Program Director of the BronxWorks East Concourse Older Adult Center, recently appeared on BronxNet Open to spread the word about our Older Adult Centers. Click here to watch the full segment.
February is National Senior Independence Month, and BronxWorks is proud to support seniors in our community with a variety of programming that empowers them to sustain independent, fulfilling lives. As part of our many services for older adults, BronxWorks operates ten Older Adult Centers located throughout the borough, providing recreational activities, meals, celebrations, workshops, access to other BronxWorks resources, and most importantly, a sense of community for our seniors.
BronxWorks Older Adult Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, offering a full day of activities. Participants are served breakfast and lunch each day, and programs often include various physical activities, crafting and other hobbies, holiday parties, technology classes, and more. Seniors can also sign up for weekly local trips with transportation provided to places like the supermarket, Walmart, or the movies.
“Going to BronxWorks is very important to me. It’s better than staying home, doing nothing. You come here, you do exercise. It really helped me. I feel better… I’m really, really happy coming here.”
Alice, BronxWorks Older Adult Center Participant
Bronx older adults are encouraged to maintain independence and influence in their participation at our centers. They are welcome to be at the center all day during open hours, or they may attend at their preference based on the schedule of activities. Seniors also contribute to the decision-making process for trips and recreation ideas, and they often volunteer in the center’s operations, such as helping in the kitchen, conducting event registration, and decorating for holidays.
“Seniors in our community often face many of the same challenges as our other neighbors – food insecurity, housing instability, lack of educational opportunities – but they may not know how to address these issues. Our Older Adult Centers provide the seniors with a system of support and resources that empowers them to live their best life.”
Bibi Karim, Vice President, Services for Older Adults
This month, BronxWorks Older Adult Centers are celebrating Black History Month and National Senior Independence Month, among many other holidays. In celebration of Black History Month, a group of older adults visited the Harlem International Museum of Black History. Seniors also painted traditional African masks and portraits of loved ones to celebrate Black History. To emphasize National Senior Independence Month, representatives from NYPD and FDNY visited and led workshops focusing on safety and emergency preparedness within their homes and neighborhoods. Having access to these and many other resources empowers our older adults to maintain independence in their lives.
Along with daily recreation and socialization, the Older Adult Centers also provide case assistance and referral for all participants to support their specific needs that may be addressed through other BronxWorks programs. Some community services offered by BronxWorks are located at one or several Older Adult Center locations to increase ease of access for the seniors. For example, the Morris Older Adult Center acts as a location for free tax prep from January to April that is open to the public, but also often utilized by the Morris seniors. Several centers host a monthly food pantry to support our neighbors facing food insecurity. Seniors can also take advantage of classes in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) offered by BronxWorks at various locations. In addition, BronxWorks case management addresses other critical needs, such as elder abuse or housing instability.
At our Older Adult Centers, seniors have innumerable opportunities and immeasurable impact upon the services offered, allowing them to shape their retirement years to be fulfilling and vibrant. BronxWorks welcomes any New York City resident over the age of 60 at any of our centers.
“So many people plan to retire, but they don’t know how they will fill their days. An Older Adult Center is a wonderful opportunity to maintain your vitality, your joy, to fulfill dreams and visions that you thought maybe you thought you could not fulfill, and to explore new avenues in your life.”
Solomon Smart, Program Director, East Concourse Older Adult Center
Solomon Smart, Program Director of the BronxWorks East Concourse Older Adult Center, recently appeared on BronxNet Open to spread the word about our Older Adult Centers. Click here to watch the full segment.
BronxWorks Older Adult Centers love to celebrate any and every holiday, and this month has been no exception! Along with celebrating Black History Month, National Senior Independence Month, and Valentine’s Day this February, seniors at the BronxWorks East Concourse Older Adult Center celebrated Galentine’s Day! Participants of all genders were welcome to a tea party and tote bag decorating activity at the center. The seniors were encouraged to dress in their best teatime attire!
Everyone in attendance was gifted a tote bag for them to decorate with paint and other crafts. They were all very excited to show each other their finished product and fill their bags. Once the seniors completed the decorating, they were gifted hats, gloves, toiletries, and massagers. These items, along with the tote bags, were generously donated by Robin Hood and Blackstone. The older adults were incredibly appreciative of these items and some immediately began to use them. Thank you to Robin Hood and Blackstone for supporting our older adults!
Those who dressed for the occasion participated in a parade throughout the center to show off their outfits and compete for best dressed. Staff participated as well and shared accessories so anyone could get involved. After the winners were declared, everyone enjoyed teatime treats, including pastries, fruit, and, of course, tea!
The older adult centers offer an abundance of parties and celebrations throughout the year, and many of the participants play active roles in the planning, decorating, and operating of the event. During this event, seniors assisted with signing in attendees, setting up art supplies, and passing out the donations. Participating at the centers provides seniors many opportunities to remain active and, if they so choose, to be a leader among their peers.
BronxWorks Older Adult Centers love to celebrate any and every holiday, and this month has been no exception! Along with celebrating Black History Month, National Senior Independence Month, and Valentine’s Day this February, seniors at the BronxWorks East Concourse Older Adult Center celebrated Galentine’s Day! Participants of all genders were welcome to a tea party and tote bag decorating activity at the center. The seniors were encouraged to dress in their best teatime attire!
Everyone in attendance was gifted a tote bag for them to decorate with paint and other crafts. They were all very excited to show each other their finished product and fill their bags. Once the seniors completed the decorating, they were gifted hats, gloves, toiletries, and massagers. These items, along with the tote bags, were generously donated by Robin Hood and Blackstone. The older adults were incredibly appreciative of these items and some immediately began to use them. Thank you to Robin Hood and Blackstone for supporting our older adults!
Those who dressed for the occasion participated in a parade throughout the center to show off their outfits and compete for best dressed. Staff participated as well and shared accessories so anyone could get involved. After the winners were declared, everyone enjoyed teatime treats, including pastries, fruit, and, of course, tea!
The older adult centers offer an abundance of parties and celebrations throughout the year, and many of the participants play active roles in the planning, decorating, and operating of the event. During this event, seniors assisted with signing in attendees, setting up art supplies, and passing out the donations. Participating at the centers provides seniors many opportunities to remain active and, if they so choose, to be a leader among their peers.
