Options Awarded $21,000 through Newsday Charities

Options for Community Living, Inc. recently received a $21,000 grant through Newsday Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund. This award supports Options housing program for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. In total, $728,023 recently was distributed to 21 nonprofit organizations on Long Island through Newsday Charities.

Long Island has more AIDS cases than any other suburban area in the United States. In 2016, the NYS Department of Health reported 5,787 individuals known to be living with HIV or AIDS in Nassau/Suffolk Counties (excludes prisoners.) Options is the largest provider of supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS on Long Island with 69 units for individuals and families. Options provides safe, affordable housing with supportive case management services for people who were formerly homeless or inadequately housed.

“Once people are in stable housing, they don’t need to prioritize finding a place to sleep each night over managing their health,” said Yolanda Robano-Gross, executive director, Options for Community Living, Inc. “For people with mental illness or chronic health conditions like HIV/AIDS, supportive housing sets them on the road to recovery. It transforms their lives. We are incredibly thankful for the support of Newsday Charities and their acknowledgement of our impact in the community.”

About Options for Community Living, Inc.

Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness and affordable supportive housing and care coordination services for individuals and families with chronic health conditions. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 1,800 adults and children annually. For more information, call 631.361.9020 or visit Options’ website at www.optionscl.org.

About Newsday Charities

To learn more about Newsday Charities visit www.newsdaycharities.org/

Photo Caption: (l to r) Debby Krenek, Newsday publisher; Denise Waterhouse, Options’ development director; Dale Cole, Newsday Community Affairs project manager; Yolanda Robano-Gross, Options executive director; and Paul Fleishman, Newsday VP Public Affairs.