The Carter Burden Network (CBN) announces a return to semi-normal for Roosevelt Island Seniors as RISC reopens on Main Street.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
“RISC has been given the green light to open our doors,” CBN/RI Senior Center Director Lisa Fernandez tells The Daily. “DFTA and our Mayor have given the ok.”
DFTA is the New York City Department for the Aging, which provides primary funding for senior centers.
The return to semi-normal for Roosevelt Island seniors
“We will begin slowly, carefully and safely,” Fernandez cautions. “We have many protocols and guidelines to follow.
“The health and safety of our clients and staff are our priority.”

(Above) A New York City Road Runners “Striders” class in 2019. CBN looks for a return to regular activities, like this one, over the summer. Starting June 14th, CBN will post a weekly schedule, but it will evolve.
Doors open at 10:00 a.m., starting Monday, and for now, the Center closes at 3:30.
A daily hot meal will be offered in the cafeteria, seating limited to 25% of capacity. A daily Grab–N-Go will also be available.
“Folks are welcome to sit in the garden and enjoy their lunch as well,” Fernandez added.
Reopened but cautious
Services are limited, for now. The computer lab, for example, opens with limited capacity, but there will be games on the patio weather permitting.
Bingo, anyone?
Case management returns, by appointment only.
“The staff at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center is excited to be welcoming back our members,” Fernandez exclaimed, adding, “We ask that all entering the Senior Center wear a mask.
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A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.











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