Selfhelp Community Services hosted a festive ribbon cutting at its new location June 2 for its Licensed Home Care Services Agency at 498 Union Ave. in Westbury, which will serve Nassau County. More than 50 elected officials, home health aides and clients were on hand to celebrate at the open house and to preview the new state-of-the-art training facility, that will help meet increased demand for home care on Long Island and help train qualified individuals for new job opportunities as home health aides in the area.
The opening of the new office was facilitated by the Selfhelp/Kimmel partnership and collaboration that began in 2013, based on a shared commitment to provide affordable housing and services to seniors and other at-risk individuals on Long Island. Selfhelp CEO Stuart C. Kaplan and Howard Kimmel, founder of the Kimmel Housing Development Foundation, led the ribbon cutting, with participation and remarks from Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell, Legislator Siela A. Bynoe and County Legislative Aide Nancy Barreno.
Johanna Friedl, a Holocaust survivor and home care client of Selfhelp, spoke emotionally about how much the care, companionship and activities arranged by Selfhelp have meant to her.
“All I have to do is call. And, I really appreciate the coffee house gatherings sponsored by Selfhelp,” explained 91-year-old Friedl. Selfhelp has a special division, Nazi Victim Services Program, that has become the largest provider of services to Holocaust survivors in North America. The group also arranges monthly gatherings for survivors, in addition to providing home care and other services needed.
A congratulatory citation from the Nassau County Legislature was presented to Selfhelp, applauding the organization’s presence and participation in the community.
