Family Services of Westchester To Hold 2nd Annual Golf Outing

On Monday, September 17th the Mount Kisco Country Club, located at 10 Taylor Road in Mount Kisco, New York will host the second annual Golf Outing, Dinner, and Auction to benefit My Second Home – a program of Family Services of Westchester(rain date of October 15th).

My Second Home is a unique intergenerational social adult day program earning the 2014 Outstanding Adult Day Center Award as well as the 2016 Innovator Award from the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) and continues to be a prototype for the nation. This year My Second Home celebrates its 20th Anniversary and will honor the first two Directors, Lois Pellegrino and Rina Bellamy.

The outing begins with brunch at 11am followed by shotgun tee off at 12:45pm. Golfers and their guests will meet for cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres on the Country Club lawn at 6:00pm and then enjoy dinner and a live and silent auction while honoring Ms. Pellegrino and Ms. Bellamy, who were so instrumental in building the program. Ty Milburn, television journalist with News 12 Hudson Valley, will serve as emcee for the evening.

My Second Home’s intergenerational social adult day model was created to allow older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias remain at home while providing respite to their caregivers, and is a viable alternative to assisted living or nursing home care.

My Second Home has two sites in Westchester County, one in Mount Kisco, NY(95 Radio Circle Drive, Mount Kisco, NY 10549) and one in White Plains, NY (106 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603), and is the only program in Westchester County to combine a traditional social adult day program with a preschool/childcare program. At My Second Home, children, teens and seniors come together on a daily basis and share experiences that include arts and crafts, pet therapy, yoga, and meals. These shared experiences build special relationships much like they would in a family setting. Research has shown that programs like these help participating seniors feel more involved in their community, less lonely, and more productive, while the children in the program gain self-confidence, empathy and sensitivity. At the same time their caregivers gain invaluable peace of mind.

“My mom is a huge fan of the intergenerational aspect of My Second Home and has benefited greatly from all parts of the program such as horticulture, crosswords and puzzle games, Jingo (their version of Bingo), and socializing with everyone,” says caregiver Jean Anne Cipolla. “The staff and volunteers are lovely, interactive and attentive to everyone's needs, which is a caregiver's dream, allowing me not to worry about how she is doing during the day. She's happy there and that's what really matters. I highly recommend the program to any caregiver or family member who needs to find a program for a loved one with memory issues. The staff and volunteers are so well trained, and kind and the bus drivers are thoughtful and friendly,” says Cipolla.

“We are so proud of our facility, and so very thankful to Lois and Rina,” says Karen Bisignano, Senior Director, My Second Home. “We could not continue to do the work we do without our Sponsors PCSB Bank and Senior Helpers; we are extremely thankful to them, to our event co-chairs Deb Casill and Kris Mullen, and to our event committee: Jean Anne Cipolla, Ray Foote, Roger Froehlich, Karen Ganis, Penny Johnston, Maggie Traynor and Jennifer Tyler,” says Bisignano.

To join us for golf, dinner or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please e-mail EventsCJH@EventsRemember.com or call (914) 218-3868. To learn more about My Second Home, visit www.fsw.org/msh.

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Photos courtesy of My Second Home (MSH participants enjoy activities with children from Mount Kisco Child Care Center and White Plains Universal Pre-K in the JEWEL (Joining Elders with Early Learners) Program.)

About Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) and My Second Home:

Family Services of Westchester, Inc. (FSW) is a private, not-for-profit agency serving our community since 1954. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Port Chester, FSW runs more than 50 social service and mental health programs that reach 30,000 children, teens, adults, and families a year. Programs include adoption and foster care for children; Head Start and Pre-K programs for Westchester's youngest students; Big Brothers/Big Sisters and other mentoring programs for teens; social support for the elderly; assistance to veterans; and educational and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. We are licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health to provide comprehensive mental health services at seven Family Centers (Hastings-on-Hudson, Mt. Vernon, Pelham, Port Chester, Sleepy Hollow, White Plains, and Yonkers) and five school-based mental health clinics. For more information about FSW, visit www.fsw.org.

My Second Home, established in 1998, offers a refreshing and innovative intergenerational approach to adult day services, and is an affordable alternative to assisted living or nursing home care. Our award-winning intergenerational day program — the only one of its kind in Westchester County and a model for the nation — offers older adults a safe, supervised, home-like environment.