General Info

Health Advocates for Older People, Inc, a 501 (c ) (3 ) organization was originally founded in 1985 by a coalition of individuals and non-profit agencies to promote healthy aging. During its first five years it was involved in the establishment of clinics in the Bronx to provide preventive health care and promote wellness. In 1993 Health Advocates became aware of the increasing need for housing with supportive services for the growing aging population and developed Carnegie East House, a 104-unit non-profit assisted residence which was transitioned in 2007 to another non-profit organization. This allowed Health Advocates to return to its original focus on programs and services for a broader and more diverse, increasingly frail elderly population. In April 2003 The Healthy Aging Program was developed to promote healthy aging through wellness programs and home safety assessments with start-up funding of $100, 000 from the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation. Today the program is located in Grace Institute on 1233 Second Avenue and Church of the Holy Trinity on 316 East 88th Street, where most of the programs take place, and currently serves 500 seniors living independently in the community. Most people served are residents of Yorkville, East Harlem, Upper East Side, West Side and Queens. All programs are free. A Volunteer Program was initiated in 2005 to provide a wide range of services to seniors, by escorting seniors to appointments, providing friendly visits, and support for the programs and in the office. It harnesses the goodwill and energy of a committed group of volunteers who range in age from nine to ninety to provide a wide range of service to elders.