CBN’s Virtual Senior Center

CBN’s Virtual Senior Center is organic, smart responses to coronavirus closings. When New York PAUSE forced the Carter Burden Network of senior centers to close, they spun into action. Virtually.

By David Stone

Creating a Virtual Senior Center

When Governor Andrew Cuomo invoked New York PAUSE on March 22nd, senior centers were shut down across the state. The move saved lives, but it also left the elderly without resources counted on for daily life and health.

Vital meals and social activities ended.

But CBN — the nonprofit Carter Burden Network of senior centers — knew what to do. That is, swing into action in ways never previous contemplated.

After helping organize at home meal deliveries, CBN hunted down resources accessible from home on a computer and invented others. If they couldn’t serve seniors in their four Manhattan centers, they’d find alternatives. Virtually, online.

And that means extending help far beyond previous borders.

Here are activities announced in the last week by Roosevelt Island Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Yulisa Santana. All are free.

CBN Virtual Senior Center: Classes

ZUMBA WITH FRANCES MALDONADO Monday & Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 a.m.    Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85406135353

CBN CHORUS GROUP WITH PETER HILL  Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.   Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74900336913

CHOREOGRAPHY WITH ENRIQUE DE LA CRUZ  Tuesday & Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Join Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/93781304799?pwd=VzQzNGc0V0dMNmU4djhiN1NDbjN4dz09

CHAT ON TOPIC: ADDRESSING HEALTH AND LONELINESS WITH SONIA DIAZ Wednesdays May 13th until June 3rd, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 851 8753 3980 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85187533980

EMBROIDERY CLASS WITH LIZ AND DIANE Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89891643696

PRINTMAKING CLASS WITH KARIN BRUCKNER Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 895 965 834 Password: 6N8Re4 Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/895965834?pwd=cTJsamZUYXF4S0sxRzdNZUZubXp3dz09

Fitness and Health

CBN’s virtual senior center adds outside resources

•  NYRR Striders at Home offers fun fitness activities for adults of all ages and ability levels. To join, click here.  
• Join a “Community of Walkers” at WABU, an app combating social isolation while social distancing.

Virtual Senior Center: Other Resources

From online art history lessons to mental health support, CBN adds links to resources anyone can use.

1. Centralized COVID19 page for resources: Nyc.gov/coronavirus
2. Mental Health Support  – Resources and a 24/7 hotline at nyc.gov/nycwell.  https://thrivenyc.cityofnewyork.us/mental_health_support_while_home
3. Affected by COVID19? Find out what benefits you may qualify for  https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/ .
4. Art History Lessons sponsored by Roosevelt Islander Adib Mansour           
   1. Lesson 3: View of Toledo, El Greco: https://rooseveltislander.blogspot.com/2020/04/rira-youth-committee-chair-develops-art_27.html
      
   2. Lesson 2: Delphic Sybil, Michelangelo Buonarroti: https://rooseveltislander.blogspot.com/search?q=Delphic+Sibyl
      
   3. Lesson 1: Mona Lisa, Leonardo Da Vinci: https://www.scribd.com/document/456122279/Roosevelt-Island-Art-History-Lesson-1-Mona-Lisa#from_embed

Conclusion

CBN’s virtual senior center is rich with access, some for any age, but always geared for seniors.

Need help? Email CBN’s Outreach Coordinator Yulisa Santana: santanay@carterburdennetwork.org