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Contact: Gail Donovan
Donovan Communications
718-399-2122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMISSIONER TOURS BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS’
CANARSIE PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

BROOKLYN, NY—May 22, 2002—As part of an ongoing effort to familiarize himself with all programs serving the elderly in New York City, Edwin Méndez-Santiago, Commissioner of the Department of Aging, toured Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Michael Spiegelman V.I.P/C.S.S. Day Program for Seniors in Canarsie this week.

“We want to serve as an advocate for all older people, regardless of the funding stream,” Commissioner Méndez-Santiago said of his interest in the Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ program. “We want to be an advocate for all seniors.”

Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Day Program for Seniors, which is funded by the Department of Mental Health, serves 45 seniors 58 years and older from all over Brooklyn who have a mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or a compulsive disorder.

As Commissioner Méndez-Santiago walked through the center, which was adorned with signs welcoming him, he visited with the program’s seniors and invited them to participate in the activities sponsored by the Department of Aging.

“We appreciate the warmth and concern that Commissioner Méndez-Santiago expressed for the seniors in our program,” said Dr. Pamela Straker, executive director of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers. “We look forward to working with him in the future.”

The Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Day Program for Seniors at 1310 Rockaway Parkway is open Monday through Friday and offers participants socialization activities and therapy to help them overcome their conditions. Transportation is provided and activities include culinary arts; music therapy; physical therapy; occupational therapy; individual, group, and family therapy; art classes, and lunch.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Aging, Commissioner Méndez-Santiago was the president and CEO of the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES, where he also served as executive director. He also taught as an adjunct professor at New York City Technical College and directed the BHRAGS Senior Citizens and North Brooklyn Mobile Meals Programs. He received a Masters in Social Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work.

Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, is a 95-year-old nonprofit mental health agency serving New York residents.  With its programs, Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers provides more than 60,000 visits to adults, seniors, and their families annually.  The agency is one of Brooklyn’s oldest mental health agencies and continues to be at the forefront of innovation in treatment.

For more information about Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, please call 718-875-5625.