SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE



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Senior Resource Guide

for the

Babylon Rotary Club

Service Area

Compiled October 2009

The Babylon Rotary Club is a service organization aiming to support our local residents in a variety of ways, including the creation of this Senior Resource Guide (with the help of professional Suffolk County librarian Norma S. Nelson). In these difficult economic times, this guide hopes to help connect our local seniors with a wide assortment of available resources in the Babylon Rotary’s service area including: Babylon Village, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Islip.

Disclaimer: The Babylon Rotary Club does not necessarily endorse any of the following resources listed.

Topics in this guide include:

HEALTH RESOURCES

FOOD AND CLOTHING OPTIONS

SOCIAL SERVICES

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

SOCIALIZATION OPTIONS

TRANSPORTATION AID

VOLUNTEERING

HEALTH RESOURCES

[“To wish to be well is a part of becoming well.” Seneca quotations, mid century, AD]

• Our local libraries host many health related workshops. Call your local library for details on upcoming health related events. Recent offerings have included:

— Babylon Public Library

24 South Carll Avenue, Babylon, NY 631 669-1624

Free Blood Pressure Screening, “Get Fit While You Sit,” Tai Chi for Arthritis, Mental Health Clinic

— North Babylon Public Library

815 Deer Park Avenue, North Babylon, NY 631 669-4020

Alzheimer’s and Caregiving

— West Babylon Public Library

211 Route 109, West Babylon, NY 631 669-5445

Arthritis Awareness, Meditation for Everyday Living, Hearing Aids and Hearing Loss for Seniors, “Is Your Sleep Keeping You Awake?” Learn to be Tobacco Free, Celiac Disease

— West Islip Public Library

3 Higbie Lane, West Islip, NY 631 661-7080

The ABC’s of Diabetes, Boost Your Immune System Naturally, Free Blood Pressure Screening, Tot Savers (CPR on children), Herbs for Winter Health, Arthritis Support Group, TOPS 258 – Take Off Pounds Sensibly, American Parkinson’s Disease Association’s West Islip Support Group

• GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Montauk Highway, West Islip ( 631 376-4444) offers many health related screenings, workshops, lectures and support groups. Recent offerings have included:

Cholesterol and Glaucoma Screenings, “How to Improve Balance and Prevent Falls,” Bariatric Support Group, Prostate and Breast Cancer Support Groups, Chronic Pain Support Group, Drop in Bereavement Support Group, Free Community Health Fair

• Houses of Worship often host 12-step AA meetings, such as:

— Christ Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Babylon – Tues. 7am, and 7:30pm, Fri. 7am

— Church of Saint Joseph, 39 North Carll Ave., Babylon – Wed. 8pm

— Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 576 Deer Park Ave., Babylon – Fri. 7:30pm

— United Methodist Church of Babylon, 21 James St., Babylon – Mon. & Thurs. 8:30pm

— Our Lady of Grace, 666 Albin Ave., West Babylon – Wed. 8pm, Fri. 7 and 8:00pm, also Fri. 8:15pm and 9:15pm

— Our Lady of Lourdes, 455 Hunter Ave., West Islip – Mon. & Tues. 8pm, Sat. 2 & 7pm

— Westminster United Presbyterian Church, 109 Udall Rd., West Islip – Wed. & Sun. 7:30pm

• AA meetings are also held at:

— Bridge to Sobriety, Captree/Overlook, Babylon – Sun. 7am

— Babylon Town Hall, Phelps Lane, North Babylon, Rm. 17 – Mon. 7:30pm, Tues.,

11am & 6:30pm, Wed. 7pm, Thurs. 7:30pm, Fri. 11am & 7:00pm, Sat. 9:30am and Sunday 3pm

— Good Samaritan Hospital, Montauk Highway, West Islip – Sun. 9:30am

— Our Lady of Consolation, 111 Beach Drive, West Islip – Mon, Thurs. & Fri. 8pm

— Town of Islip Senior Center, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip – Mon. 6:30pm, Thurs. 8pm

• For more information on AA meeting locations, call Suffolk Intergroup Association at 631 654-1150

• Al-Anon Meetings are held at:

— Christ Episcopal Church, Thurs. 10am

— Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Sat. 7pm

— United Methodist Church, Babylon, Tues. 8pm

— Our Lady of Grace, West Babylon, Mon. 9:30pm

— Our Lady of Lourdes, West Islip, Wed. 9:30am

• For additional Al-Anon info. call Al-Anon Suffolk Information Service, 631 669-2827, located at 666 Albin Avenue, West Babylon

• For Crisis Response Hotline call 631 751-7500

• Families Anonymous (for those concerned about a family member who appears to have an alcohol, drug or behavioral problem.), held at Our Lady of Grace School, West Babylon, Room 116, Sat. 9:30am, room 115 & Wed. 8pm, room 116. For more information call Donna at 631 589-3790 or Julia at 631 587-5921

• Narcotics Anonymous meets at Our Lady of Grace, West Babylon, Thursdays, 8:00 to 9:00pm

• Other 12-step program contact numbers:

— Gamblers Anonymous 631 665-6660

— Narcotics Anonymous 631 827-9500

— Overeaters Anonymous 631 924-0440

• Long Island Teen Challenge at 30 Farmingdale Rd., West Babylon, NY offers addiction counseling, abuse recovery and residential treatment for all ages. Call 631 321-7070 for more information.

• Mission Cataract USA has offered free cataract surgery to residents who are not covered by medical insurance and who are unable to pay for the surgery themselves. Call 866 733-6254 for more info.

• Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted a series of 10 health seminars at the South Bay Junior academy, located at 150 Fire Island Avenue, Babylon Village. The lectures were free and topics discussed included: steps to wellness; cancer and foods to heal and prevent; depression, stress, nutrition and vegetarian cooking. Call 631 422-5207 for information on any future offerings.

• Southside Hospital, at 301 East Main Street, Bay Shore, NY offered free PSA prostate cancer screenings for men 40+ years old. This free community health program was provided as a service by the Department of Professional and Public Health Education, 516 465-2500.

• The Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation helps lighten the burden and improve the quality of life for those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers and families. Services include: a resource and referral center, a toll-

free hotline at 866 789-5423, counseling, educational workshops and conferences, a state-of-the-art social-model adult day services program, and Alzheimer’s Companions, an in-home respite care with a cognitive stimulation component. For more information, call 516 767-6856.

• The web site of the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging, , offers easy-to-understand information about health in aging. Topics include high blood pressure, heart disease, back pain, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, anemia, nutrition, pain relief, sexuality, hearing, vision, incontinence and medication.

• Advance Care Plans - Protect your loved ones from having to make life and death decisions on your behalf by developing an advance care plan. The Heart Failure Society of America has put together a brochure that will take you through the various steps you’ll need to consider. Log on to , to request a copy.

• Senior Citizen Centers offer a variety of health services such as health screening, flu shots, medication management, nutrition counseling and physical fitness. Recent health related offerings also include:

— Town of Babylon Senior Center, 438 Spangle Drive, North Babylon, NY 631 422-7610 recently offered:

Range of Motion Chair Exercise Program

Tai Chi

— Town of Islip Senior Citizen Center, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip, NY 631-893-8932 recently offered:

Arthritis Exercise Class

Arthritis Foundation and Support Group

Wii Bowling

— Town of Islip Brief Respite Program – This limited respite service for family caregivers provides “time-off” for brief periods, generally 4 hours. Call 631 224-5540 for more info.

— Discounted gym memberships for seniors – Silver Sneakers at YMCA, for example, check at your neighborhood gym for any senior membership discounts offered

• Poison Control Hotline – 516 542-2323

• Other popular health related web sites include: , , , health.state.ny.us, , , ,

• Mental Health

— Emotions Anonymous, meets at Our Lady of Grace, West Babylon, Fri. 7:30pm, room 114 and Mon. 7:30pm, room 115

— The Federation of Organizations for the New York State Mentally Disabled, Inc, 1 Farmingdale Road, West Babylon, has a respite program for those caring for relatives with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, day social programs, evening drop in program. Call 631 321- 8229 or 631 669-5355 for more information.

— Recovery, Inc. – Community Mental Health Organization – meets at the West Islip Public Library, West Islip, Mon. 7pm

— Suffolk County Mental Health Dept. 631 853-3105

— Mental Health Association of Suffolk County, 631 226-3900, provides information and referrals to connect resources for people living with mental illness, their families and service providers. They also provide advocacy and consumer training to develop the skills necessary to work and/or volunteer as peer recovery and wellness specialists

— Suffolk County Psychiatric Hotline 631 952-3333

— The Long Island Veterans Center , 116 West Main Street, Babylon – provides psychological counseling for all veterans suffering from war trauma. Call 631 661-3930 for more information.

— The Wellness Project provides older persons with in-home counseling under the professional supervision of the Suffolk County Dept. of Health Services, Division of Community Mental Hygiene. Under supervision of a certified social worker, student interns meet with individuals, couples, and two-and-three generation families, providing mental health counseling. The interns also conduct weekly wellness workshops at senior nutrition sites. For more information, call 631 853-7300.

— County Wide Mental Health Services offers counseling services via Family Service League, 1444 5th Avenue, Bayshore, NY. Call 631 647-3100, ext. 103 (diagnosis and treatment for issues such as bereavement, financial distress, aging issues, personal, interpersonal and social adjustments, etc.)

— Medicare reimburses qualified licensed clinical social workers and/or licensed psychologists in private practice for mental health services rendered in your area.

FOOD AND CLOTHING OPTIONS

[“For my part now, I consider supper as a turnpike through which we must pass, in order to get to bed.” Oliver Edwards, 1711 –91: in James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson ]

• A number of local houses of worship provide food pantry’s, soup kitchens and discounted used clothing. Some examples are:

— Church of Saint Joseph’s of Babylon, 39 North Carll Ave., Babylon 631 669-0068

Clothing thrift shop – Mon., Wed., Thurs.

Food Pantry: Mon. 9:30 to noon; Tues., Wed., Thurs. 9:30 - 1:30pm (no Thurs. in Aug.)

(or call Mary Jane at 669-0068, ext. 128 for an appt.)

— Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 576 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon 631 7245

Food Pantry - Tues. 4:45 to 5:30pm

Soup Kitchen – Tues. 5:00pm

— First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, 79 East Main Street, Babylon 631 587-5838

Food Pantry – Mon., Fri. 10:00am – 1:00pm

Soup Kitchen – Thurs. 6:00 – 7:00pm (closed for summer)

— United Methodist Church of Babylon, 21 James Street, Babylon 631 661-5151

Food Pantry – Tues., Thurs l0:00 – 12 noon

Soup Kitchen – Sundays 12 noon – 1:30pm (closed in August)

— Bread of Life Outreach, 325 Wyandanch Avenue, North Babylon 631 668-2474

Food Pantry – Mon., Thurs. 11:00 – 1:00pm, 2nd Sat. of month, 10:00 – 11:00am

— Mt. Carmel Full Gospel Church, 420-A Wyandanch Ave., N. Babylon 631 559-0311;

Food Pantry – Wed. – 7:00 – 9:00pm; Sat. 12:00 – 5:00pm

— Church of God of Prophecy, 196 Little East Neck Rd., West Babylon 631 482-1804

or 631 376-0103; Food Pantry – Sat. 10:00 – 2:00pm

— Our Lady of Grace, 700 Albin Avenue, West Babylon 631 661-9354;

Food Pantry – Tues., Thurs. 10:00 – noon or by appt.

— Our Lady of Lourdes, 455 Hunter Avenue, West Islip 631 661-9262, option 4;

Food Pantry - Mon. – Fri. 7:30am – 3:30pm, also on Sun. evening, volunteers make up washing kits for the military and the area’s homeless.

— West Islip Church of Christ, 600 Montauk Highway, West Islip 631 587-1156;

Food Pantry (call first)

— Westminster United Presbyterian Church, 109 Udall Road, West Islip 631 661-6740;

Rummage sales and “Grandma’s Attic” held periodically, call for information

Food Pantry – Tues., Wed., Thurs. 10:00 – noon

Soup Kitchen – occasional Sundays 4:00pm., call for information

— Our Lady of Consolation, 111 Beach Drive, West Islip, 631 587-1762;

Soup Supper – daily (including weekends) 4:30pm, $3.00

• Free food for seniors: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (funded by USDA, NYSDOH and administered by Catholic Charities) is offering free food for seniors age 60 and over, who meet income guidelines. The food package includes cheese, milk, starches, cereals, juices, canned fish, meats, vegetables and more. Income guidelines for seniors are: gross monthly income for a single senior is $1,127 or less and for a senior couple is $1,517 or less. For further information in Nassau or Suffolk, call 631 491-4169 or 631 491-4156

• The Interfaith Nutrition Network has 19 soup kitchen locations and other programs to assist people in need throughout Nassau and Suffolk. For more information and eligibility inquiries call: 516 486-8506

• The Salvation Army will help out with a one time emergency situation re. food, medicine, utilities, etc on a case by case basis. Call 631 363-6100 for more info.

• Town Food Programs

— Town of Babylon, Spangle Drive Senior Center, 631 422-7610, offers nutritional lunches which must be ordered by 11:00am of the same day or a day ahead of time. Donation is $2.00 per meal. Transportation to the Senior Center is available.

R.S.V.P food coupons are available at the Senior Center for farmer’s market purchases.

Transportation to and from Pathmark is provided from the Senior Center (every other week). Call Madeline at 631 422-7618 for more information.

— Town of Islip, Higbie Lane Senior Center, 631 893-8932 provides a nutritious lunch Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made in advance. A voluntary contribution of $2.00 per meal is suggested. Transportation to the Senior Center is available. For more info. call 631 224-5340

A home delivery meal program delivers a daily meal, Mon. through Fri. to seniors who are unable to prepare meals, and have no one available to assist them while recuperating or incapacitated. An in-home evaluation process is necessary and a voluntary contribution of $2.00 per meal is suggested. For further information call 631 224-5540.

R.S.V.P food coupons are available at the Senior Center for farmer’s market purchases, and transportation to and from Pathmark is provided from the Senior Center twice a month. Call 631 224-5686 for more info.

SOCIAL SERVICES

[“Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone, kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.” Adam Lindsay Gordon, 1883-90, Ye Wearle Wayfarer, 1866]

• Houses of worship often offer some social services to those living in their geographic area, in addition to food and clothing. Examples include:

— Church of Saint Joseph, Babylon, 631 669-0068 offers bereavement and widowed groups, economic assistance, housing and utility assistance and basic needs of living assistance. Call 631 669-0068, ext. 128 for more info.

— Babylon Christ Episcopal, 12 Prospect Street, Babylon, 631 661-5757, sponsors needy families throughout the year. .

— Our Lady of Grace, West Babylon, 631 661-9354 offers bereavement and widowed groups and the outreach office provides services which include: gift cards, transportation, housing assistance, utilities assistance, plus information and referrals.

— Our Lady of Lourdes, West Islip, 631 661 9262, option 4 offers “The Beginning Experience,” which addresses the heartache of divorce, separation and widowhood. “A weekend away for a lifetime of change.” The latest weekend was August 21 through August 23. For more information, call Connie at 516 735 1720 or Carmen at

516 739-0973.

• Local Libraries occasionally host social service workshops - recent workshops included::

— Babylon Public Library, 631 669-1624: - Senior Advocacy Workshop, The Ponzi Scheme – Avoid Becoming a Victim, Wills and Estates, AARP Drivers Safety Class

— North Babylon Public Library, 631 669-4020 – Defensive Driving, Computer Training With a Teen, Alzheimer’s & Caregiving

— West Babylon Public Library, 631 669-5445 – Senior Advocacy Workshop, Epic Information Program, Elder Law, Legal Issues Affecting All of Us, AARP Driver Safety Program, Project Lifesaver

— West Islip Public Library, 631 661-7080 – Homebound Services, Senior Financial Workshops, AARP 55 Alive Driver Safety Program, AARP Tax Help, Senior Mentoring for Computers, St. Monica’s Guild Bereavement Group

• Other Local Organizations Providing Social Services:

— American Red Cross – Babylon/Islip Regional Office, P.O. Box 1442, West Babylon, NY631 924-6700 ; 24 hour emergency – 631 924-6911

— Babylon Breast Care Coalition, 200 West Main Street, Babylon, 631 893-4110, Debbie Basile. (Provides education, referrals and direct patient services to all Babylon township residents coping with breast or gynecological cancers.)

— St. Vincent de Paul Society, 631 669-4544 offers material assistance (food, clothing, furniture), financial assistance (for travel, legal, medical and dental aid, rent, utilities), and special assistance (housing, home visits, prison visits, hospital visits, eldercare visits, daycare visits, telephone contacts) for those eligible and in need.

— Bereavement Groups are offered by Our Lady of Consolation, 111 Beach Drive, West Islip 631 587-1600, ext. 8297

— Family Service League supports the CAIR program (Community Advocacy, Information and Referral program) which provides emergency aid to the most needy individuals and families for basics such as food, clothing, heat, housing, and medicine. For more information, call 631 427-3700

— Family Service League helps home seekers through the Home Share Program. This is a program that links older homeowners who have available bedrooms with other adults who need affordable housing. Minimum age of qualified homeowner is 60 years old. Qualified home seekers must be at least 18 years old, and be employed or in school. Each homeowner and home-sharer pays a fee of $100 upon completion of interview and an additional $100 when the parties agree to establish a match.. Program hours are 9:00am – 2:00pm, Call 631 427-3700, ext. 305 or 301 for more information.

— Grandparents Classes are offered at Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, 631 376-4444

— Islip Hotline – 631 277-4700, Referral Services and Crisis Intervention Assistance

— Jr./Sr. Companion Program is offered by The Federation of Organizations for the New York State Mentally Disabled, Inc. 1 Farmingdale Road., West Babylon 631 447-6460

— Long Island Crisis Center, 516 826-0244 is a 24 hour crisis intervention/suicide prevention hotline

— North Babylon Community Youth Services for Seniors 213 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, 631 422-0333

— Response Hotline – 631 751-7500 at a 24 hour crisis intervention/suicide prevention hotline offering telephone counseling and a computerized information and referral program

— Salvation Army – one time emergency help, call 631 563-6100

— “Smart and Safe Seniors Workshop,” by Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, 448 Main Street, Babylon, 631 669-2400, Charles Spencer, (safety around the house, personal safety, cons and scams).

— For Elder Fraud Guide, “Recognizing Con Games That Target Seniors,” write to:

Consumer Action, 221 Main St., Suite 480, San Francisco, Ca. 94105 or call:

415 777-9635 or write to Consumer Action, 523 West Sixth St., Suite 1105, Los Angeles, Ca. 90014 or call 213 624-8327, email info@consumer-

— Telephone Lifeline – Income eligible households can receive a reduced rate for telephone service and installation charges. Call your local telephone service provider.

— United Way of Long Island Senior Access to Home Program (SATH) – Under this program, home adaptations and alterations will be made to enable frail and elderly persons and senior citizens with disabilities to remain or return to their homes. United Way will provide home retrofits, such as ramps, grab rails, wheelchair accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and any other necessary modifications that will promote the activities of daily living and improve physical and mental health. Call 631 940-3700, Christine Anderson, for more info.

— Pet Service – The Babylon Beacon, 65 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, 631 587-5612 offers free classified ads for lost or found pets.. Call with the information

— Discount Pet Vaccines – call “Luv My Pet”, at 516 249-2482 in connection with Petco, for details

— Rentals that Accept Pets – The Humane Society of the United States program “Pets for Life” has information to help you find pet friendly rental housing along with solving problems that threaten house pet relationships, such as unwelcome pet behaviors and allergies to pets. Visit humanesociety/org/petsforlife to find the solutions you need to keep your pet.

— Pet Poison Control – 1 888 426-4435

• Town Social Services:

— Town of Babylon Senior Services Residential Repair Program offers needy residents (aged 60 and over) minor home repairs. Residents must be incapable of maintaining their homes because of illness, incapacity, handicap or absence of a caretaker. Repairs are meant to remediate substandard, unsuitable or unsafe residences. Recipients are expected to pay for the necessary supplies and materials. Repairs may include: handicapped modifications, crime prevention modification, clean gutters, install hand rails, installation/repair of grab bar, rake leaves, paint, minor plumbing. Call JoAnn Labonte, 631 422-7680

— Town of Babylon Spangle Drive Senior Center has recently offered workshops such as:

Basic Computer Class

SCOFA Senior Advocacy Workshop

AARP Tax Assistance

— Town of Babylon Housing Assistance – Section 8 Applications, 281 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, NY 631 893-1040, Mo – Fri., 9:00am to 4:30pm

— Town of Islip Adult Day Care Services, call 631 436-6046 for info.

— Town of Islip Brief Respite Care – for Islip Town residents who are responsible caregivers to frail or disabled persons aged 60 or older. This service will provide up to four hours of relief for the caregiver in a single visit. Call 631 224-5540 for more info.

— Town Residential Repair – Various household maintenance and repair tasks are performed by senior craftsmen for the frail elderly. Participants are required to pay for the cost of materials. For Islip residents, call Darlene at 631 224-5686. Appointments are made Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00pm. For larger housing rehabilitation needs, beyond the scope of the residential repair program, inquire at your town Community Development Office. .Repairs may include: install window or door locks; safety rails for tubs & toilets; shades or curtain robs; smoke or carbon monoxide detectors; air conditioner installation or removal, insert and/or remove screens, minor painting and repairs, clean gutters.

— Town of Islip Community Development Agency Housing Rehabilitation Program – Funds are available for no-interest loans for low income homeowners who have homes in need of repair, including seniors, who live within the Town of Islip. Repairs might include: roof and/or window replacement, plumbing and electrical repairs or upgrading, carpentry repairs, heating system replacement, energy saving repairs, siding repairs or replacement. For an application, call Terry Toth at 631 665-1185, ext. 22.

— AARP, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip, 631 661-6040

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

[“Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the other

five.” Somerset Maughan, 1874-1965, Of Human Bondage, 1915]

• Local libraries occasionally host workshops for seniors on finances such as:

— Babylon Public Library – Wills and Estates; the Ponzi Scheme, Avoid Becoming a Victim

— North Babylon Library – Wills and Estates

— West Babylon Library – Legal Issues Affecting All of Us, Financial Options for Long Term Care, Elder Law.

— West Islip Library – Protecting Your Retirement Image and Planning Your Future

• Town Financial Resources

— Town of Babylon Senior Center, Spangle Drive – offers an AARP Tax Assistance Workshop

— For property tax exemption applications, contact Wyandanch Community Development Corp, 59 Cumberbach St., Wyandanch, NY. For appt. call 631 253-0139, no cost. WCDC – Wyandanch Community Development Corp. - is a HUD certified based organization serving residents of the Babylon Township with comprehensive housing counseling needs.

— For a copy of a booklet entitled “ Do You Qualify for a Real Property Tax Exemption in the Town of Babylon,“ contact the Assessor’s Office at 631 957-3014. The booklet outlines exemptions and their respective eligibility criteria that are available for Town of Babylon Real Property owners.

— Islip Town offers free foreclosure and homebuyer counseling by the Long Island Housing Partnership. If it appears that the account can be brought current, the counselor works with the client and the mortgager to arrange a mutually agreeable and realistic payment plan. Counseling is available by appt. at the Town of Islip Community Development Agency office in Bay Shore. For details, and to schedule an appt., call 631 435-471

— A Foreclosure Prevention Seminar was held at the West Islip Community Center, 90 Higbie Lane in West Islip.

— Counseling regarding programs and services for people 60 and over as well as assistance in securing entitlements is available from senior advocates at senior citizens centers, nutrition sites, and other community locations. For schedule, call 853-8200

• Other Financial Resources

— Energy Efficiency Programs – KeySpan’s On-Track program is offered to people who have difficulty paying their KeySpan energy bill, or for those who just want to save energy and money. For more information and eligibility inquiries contact: On-Track Representatives, KeySpan Energy Delivery 1800 298-7715 from 9:00 am – 4:30pm

— LIPA’s REAP free program is offered to low-income families in order to save energy and money. For more information and eligibility inquiries contact: Home Energy Audits, LIPA/REAP 1 800 263-6786

— Assistance with Utility Emergencies – The American Red Cross operates assistance programs with various electric and gas utilities around the state. These programs help persons over 60 years of age with utility emergencies. They also assist disabled persons and those with certain medical conditions. Contact the nearest Red Cross office for more info.

— United Way of Long Island helps qualifying residents with emergency heating assistance through its Project Warmth program. This program provides qualifying families with heating emergencies with a one-time grant to pay for fuel services to keep their homes habitable. Eligible applicants include those who have exhausted their HEAP grants for the year or those ineligible for federal HEAP. For details, call United Way of Long Island at 631 940-3700.

— Foster Grandparent program provides a tax-free wage for income eligible volunteers. This program helps children learn to read, cares for children with special needs and offers mentoring to those who need it, all in school settings. Volunteers also receive a meal and transportation assistance. For more information, or to volunteer, call 321 8229, ext. 224.

— Free Tax Return Preparation – The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers free tax preparation help for those with low to moderate income and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free help to those aged 60 or older. To locate your nearest TAX-Aide site, call SILO at 631 880-7929

SOCIALIZATION

[“No man is an island, entire of itself,” John Donne, 1572-1631, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, 1624]

• Houses of Worship and Public Libraries offer a variety of socialization options; some recent examples include:

— Christ Episcopal Church, Babylon – National Railway Historical Society, Inc., 631 661-3463

— Church of St. Joseph, Babylon - Golden Age Club, Social Single Seniors, Saint Joseph’s Choir, Book Club

— Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Babylon – Prime Time for Seniors, fellowship and occasional speakers, coffee and cake served

— Our Lady of Grace, West Babylon – Supermarket Bingo, Concerts, Young at Heart Seniors, Periodic Senior socials and ministry, Quarterly Bible Class Groups

— St. Paul’s Reformed Church, North Babylon – Church Book Discussions, “Christopher, The Music Man.”

— Our Lady of Lourdes, West Islip – Single Senior Trips, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Senior Advocates for Growth and Enrichment, Men’s Group, Senior Circle

— Westminster United Presbyterian Church hosts Suffolk County Homemakers, West Islip

— Babylon Public Library – The Joel Sikowitz Orchestra, Creative Clay, Broadway Comes to the Library, Afternoon at the Movies, Adult Games in the Afternoon, Seascape Painting, Something Old, Something New (bygone days with music and song), Book Discussion Club

— North Babylon Public Library – Adult Summer Reading Club Tea Party, Adult Summer Reading Club, Crochet Club, Knitting Club, Friday Movies for Adults, English as a Second Language, Songs of the Silver Screen, Scenic Tours

— West Babylon Public Library – Rock & Roll; Country, Doo-Wop and Pop Show; Comedy Production; Seascape, Acrylic Painting Workshop; Friends of West Babylon (refreshments served); Sinatra Tribute; Fun and Games at the Library; Homegrown String Band; Monday Night and Friday Afternoon at the Movies; Banjo Bob and Crazy Henry; Flower Basket Craft; Shake Your Soul (yoga and dance); bus trips to Atlantic City

— West Islip Public Library - Gray Panthers of Suffolk County, Better Flower Photography, Friday Afternoon Movies, Sumpwams Garden Club Meetings, Senior Artists, Knitting Club, Red River Ramblers, Gourmet Getaways Within Driving Distance, Book Discussion, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Bus Trip, International film Festival, Painted Sunflower Vase

• Babylon Village, Town of Babylon and Town of Islip - all support Senior Citizen Center socialization in addition to ongoing community events that may appeal to seniorsr; recent examples are:

— The Livingston Senior Center 117 West Main Street, Babylon (currently meeting last Friday of the month at 11:00am at Babylon Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon). For more information call 631 661-3637

— The Conklin House 280 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon

recently hosted Sumpwams Garden Club floral workshop, summer concerts, poetry . .readings, and upcoming Apples & Art

— Summer concerts have been held at the Gazebo in Argyle Park, Babylon Village Friday nights in July & August. At 8:00pm. Admission free.

— Babylon Beautification Society Annual Country Fair – Argyle Park, second Sunday in Sept., (Arts and crafts, music, a variety of food vendors, home made goodies at spectacular Argyle Park setting.)

— Babylon Village Historical and Preservation Society, corner of West Main Street and N. Carll Avenue, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Call

631 669-1756 for more info. (Hosts a variety of historical events, ex., “old timer’s day.”).

— Annual Babylon Tuna Tournament is held the end of July each summer at the Babylon Village dock. . Lively festivities include music; nautical vendors; dockside fresh caught fish; invitational fishing tournament; prizes for tuna, shark, make and released marlin, fluke and striped bass; blessing of the fleet; weigh-in’s as boats return; National Anthem by the Marine Corps Color Guard. Babylon Tuna Club, P.O. Box `23, Babylon< NY 631 842-1579

— Annual Babylon Bayfest is held immediately after the Tuna Tournament each summer. Sponsored by the Babylon Village Arts Council, the Bayfest, held at the Babylon Village pool, provides local families with ongoing music, seafood and landlubber food vendors, children’s activities, in an idyllic setting on the Great South Bay, all for a nominal fee

— The Babylon Village Arts Council hosts summer concerts at the Conklin House, and throughout the year at Astoria Federal Bank, 2nd Thursday night series, Thompson Avenue, Babylon Village as well as concerts and art exhibits and workshops at numerous local venues. BVAC meetings are held 2nd Wed. of the month at Babylon Village Hall, 153 West Main St., Babylon at 7:30pm. Call 631 842-1579, 631 669-1810 or write to BVAC at P.O. Box 40 Babylon, NY 11702 for more info.

— The Babylon Village pool at the end of Fire Island Avenue, is open daily from the end of June through Labor Day

— Southards Pond – A little known oasis, facing the southern end of a green belt stretching north to Belmont Lake State Park, lies west of Deer Park Avenue, off Siegal Blvd., at the end of Southards Lane, or enter via Park Avenue behind the tennis courts. Stroll by foot, bike or fish. ( Dog walking is encouraged).

— Town of Babylon Senior Center, Spangle Drive, N. Babylon offers: line dancing, afternoon dance, horse racing, ceramics, evening dance, mother’s day center party, musical performances, dance lessons, computer club, computer classes, trips, card playing, bingo, billiards, arts and crafts.

— BACCA (Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts) – arts, music, classes, Old Town Hall, 47 West Main Street, Babylon Village, call 631 661-7558 or 631 587-3696 for more information.

— Phelps Lane Pool, 101 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, open daily from the end of June through Labor Day.

— Sawyer Avenue Pool, Sawyer Avenue, West Babylon, NY, open daily from the end of June through Labor Day.

— Suffolk County Homemakers, (all manner of arts and crafts), Babylon Town Hall Annex, Phelps Lane, N. Babylon, 631 957-3000, (Meets Wed., 10:00am, starting again in Sept.)

— Twin Shores Chorus (4 Part Barbershop Style) Babylon Town Hall Annex, Phelps Lane, North Babylon, Tuesdays 7:45pm – 10:10pm. Call Gerry 631 842-9050 or Bill 631 226-1814 for information and directions.

— West Babylon Beautification Society, P.O. Box 1526, West Babylon, NY 1170,

631 587-2911 OR 631 587-1702

— West Islip Senior Center, Higbie Lane, West Islip offers: calligraphy, art, exercise, walking, ceramics, dancing, bridge, scrabble, Mah-Jongg, grandparents reading program, sing-a-longs, oil painting, knit and crochet class, arts and crafts class, bingo, line dance class, mother’s day tea, father’s day celebration, mock wedding celebration

— Anthony Casamento Park, Muncey Road, West Islip, pool open daily from the end of June through Labor Day.

— West Islip Historical Society, email wihistory@

— West Islip Beach & Marina Park, end of Beach Street on Great South Bay, West Islip

— West Islip Beautification Society, P.O.. Box 66, West Islip, NY 11795

— West Islip Museum, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip

• Additional Groups Fostering Socialization in the Babylon and West Islip areas

Babylon and N. Babylon:

— American Legion, 22 Grove Place, Babylon 631 669-0094

— Ancient Order of Hibernians 631 661-9649 or 631 661-8934

— Babylon VillageWomen’s Club 516 297-7730

— James Street Players 631 661-5151 or 631 661-3585

— Sumpwams Garden Club 631 422-2901

— Travelers Club of Babylon 631 661-5038

West Babylon:

— American Legion, Post 1634, 10 Bruce Street, W. Babylon 631 422-9353

— Babylon Town Historical Society 631 586-7879

— Centro Culturale Italiano, Inc., 606 Sunrise Highway, W. Babylon 11704

— Sons of Italy – William Paca Lodge No. 2189 631 669-9394

— Sunrise Square Club 631 669-8403 (Masonic org.)

West Islip:

— American Legion, 340 Union Blvd., W. Islip 631 422-1738

— Babylon Chorale, Captree Elementary School, W. Islip, 516 798-5475,

631-581-0581 or 631 587-3620

— Catholic Daughters of America 631 669-4728

— Music Lovers Club 631 665-4255

— Sons of Italy, Lodge 2616, 631 587-2601

— West Islip Concert Orchestra 631 661-8348 or 631 661-2987

— West Islip Historical Society – wihistory@

— West Islip Symphony Orchestra 631 661-8348

TRANSPORTATION AID

[“My design is to make what haste I can to be gone.” Oliver Cromwell, 1599 in J. Marley’s Oliver Cromwell, 1900]

• FISH (Friends in Service Helping) – provides transportation for seniors in Babylon, North Babylon, West Babylon and West Islip for doctor appts., dentists, labs and hospitals. Call 631 669-3733

• Houses of Worship occasionally provide transportation through their parish outreach offices, such as: Church of St. Joseph in Babylon – 631 669-0068, ext. 128, and Our Lady of Grace in West Babylon – 631 661-9354 (check with the outreach office at your local house of worship).

• St. Vincent de Paul volunteers occasionally provide necessary transportation, 631 669-4544

• Essential Transportation provides transportation for seniors who have no other means of transportation to a variety of essential services such as medical appoints., social services, Town Hall and shopping. In general, these vehicles do not cross town boundaries and medical appointments have priority. This service is heavily used, so please make your reservation two weeks in advance. For Town of Babylon : 631 422-7618, for Town of Islip: 631 224-5686

• For food shopping every other week, transportation is provided at the Town Senior Citizen Centers to Pathmark and, occasionally, a farmers market. (Transportation is also provided to and from the Senior Citizen Centers for those in need, as indicated previously.) Call your local Senior Citizen Center for details.

• Transportation Discounts – Many public transportation systems offer discounts for elders. To determine if you can get discounts, contact your local office for the aging – 631 853-8200 – or local transportation system.

• Bus service throughout Suffolk County is provided on 52 main and feeder lines. Reduced fares are available to seniors and the disabled with a valid I.D. Card. For additional information, call the Public Transportation Information Center at 631 852-5200

VOLUNTEERING OPTIONS

[“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world,” William Shakespeare 1564 – 1616,The Merchant of Venice, 1596-98]

• The Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition provides education, referrals and direct patient services to all Babylon Township residents coping with breast or gynecological cancer treatment. They seek volunteers with expertise in grant writing, fundraising, volunteer and outreach coordination. Call 631 893-4110.

• Family Service League’s Ombudservice Program (trained volunteers visit nursing home, adult home and assisted living facility residents once weekly to help improve the quality of their lives and ensure that their rights are protected.) Call 631 427-3700, ext. 273 or ext. 240 for more info.

• FISH (Friends in Service Helping) serves Babylon and West Islip and seeks volunteers to drive citizens to doctor’s appts. Write to FISH, P.O. box 5, Babylon, NY 11702 or call 631 669-3733 for more information.

• Islip Hotline Volunteers – Call 631 277-4700 or write: Islip Hotline, Town Hall, Islip, NY 11751

• Library Literacy Programs – Learn how to teach others to speak English. Contact your local library for info.

• Long Island Crisis Center (LIC) – 24 hour crisis and suicide prevention hotline. Call 516 826-0244 to schedule an interview.

• Retired Senior Volunteer Program – placements range from environmental gardening, tour guides, soup kitchens, hospitals, mentoring and more. Call 631 979-9490 for more info. (Training, a small travel reimbursement and liability insurance are included with your RSVP volunteerism.)

• Response of Suffolk County, Inc. – a 24 hour hotline staffed by trained volunteer counselors. Call 631 751-7500 for more information

• Suffolk County Helen Keller Services for the blind seeks volunteers to spend one or two hours a week visiting blind elderly people who are homebound. For more information on volunteering, call 631 424-0022

• The Federation of Organizations in West Babylon trains volunteers for the Foster Grandparent Program (working with children in school settings) as well as the Senior Companion Program (offering friendship and companionship to seniors who are in need of assistance to maintain independence in the home.) Call 631 321-8229, ext. 1224 for Foster Grandparent Program and 631 321-8229 for Senior Companion Program.

• West Islip Breast Care Coalition for Long Island, P.O. Box 247, 729 Montauk Highway, West Islip, NY 11795. 631 669-7770

• Local arts organizations are always happy to welcome new volunteers such as:

— BACCA, Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts, 721 Sawyer Avenue, West Babylon, NY 631 661-7558 and 47 West Main Street, Babylon, NY 631 587-3696

— Babylon Village Arts Council, P.O. Box 40, Babylon NY 11702 – meetings are held 7:00-9:00pm, first Wed. of the month, at Babylon Village Hall, 153 West Main St., Babylon, NY, Call 631 661-1278 for more info.

For county, state and/or federal resources in the above listed categories, contact your county, state and federal offices of the aging.

Additional Resources? If you are aware of any additional local resources which should be considered for inclusion in the next Senior Resource Guide, please send your suggestions to: Stanis Beck, LCSW, % Babylon Rotary, P.O. Box 672, Babylon, New York 11702

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