About Us
FSSY was
founded in 1883 as the Charity Organization Society of the City of
Yonkers. Since its establishment, the organization has provided
support for families and individuals in the Yonkers vicinity through a
range of programs and services.
Re-named
Family Service Society of Yonkers (FSSY) in 1936, the agency has become
the premier provider of home health care services in Yonkers. We
currently employ over 200 Personal Care Aides (PCAs) and Home Health
Aides (HHAs). Moreover, FSSY offers free home health care training
programs for individuals to obtain their New York State Department of
Health certification as a PCA and the more advanced HHA.
In 1996, the
New York State Supreme Court requested that FSSY act as legal guardian
for incapacitated adults in danger of neglect, abuse and/or financial
exploitation. Currently, the agency serves over 350 Guardianship clients
throughout Westchester and the Bronx. FSSY has worked closely with the
Court to systematize guardianship procedures; the results of our efforts
have been replicated throughout New York State.
Many FSSY
programs offer special assistance to the elderly and disabled members of
the Westchester community. Among our projects are those which provide
permanent supportive housing for the homeless disabled, home safety
modifications for the elderly and disabled, and home weatherization
repairs for low-income elderly. FSSY also offers a case management
program for elderly and disabled residents living in Yonkers Municipal
Housing.
FSSY
provides Westchester County’s most extensive programs and services in
support of grandparents and other relative caregivers who are raising
children. The Kinship Support Center sponsors a peer support group for
the caregivers and provides holiday and summer programs for the
children. The GrandPower Advocacy Project trains seniors to organize
neighborhood-based advocacy efforts on behalf of the kinship families;
the Advocates work diligently with local, county, state and national
legislators to increase benefits for the relative caregivers and their
children.
FSSY is the
lead organization in the Community for All Ages initiative at the
Yonkers Museum School 25. Neighborhood seniors meet with students from
the elementary school to share activities, as well as their expertise in
various fields. This program is expanding to other schools in Yonkers.
FSSY
continually works to confront new challenges by adapting existing
programs and implementing collaborative initiatives with other
organizations to meet critical community needs. Always, our agency is
dedicated to finding effective and innovative ways to improve the lives
of individuals residing in Yonkers and the greater Westchester area.
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