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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS’ WALKATHON
CONNECTS SENIORS TO AFRICAN AIDS ORPHANS
BROOKLYN, NY—January 7, 2003— A walkathon that was developed as an incentive to encourage a group of Brooklyn seniors to exercise has resulted in the participants raising enough money to fund scholarships for five African children whose parents died of AIDS.
The seniors, who attend Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Michael Spiegelman V.I.P./C.S.S. Day Program for Seniors in Canarsie, walked five miles, or a total of 250 laps through the corridors of the program’s center, and raised $500 to send five AIDS orphans in Burkina Faso, Africa, to school for a year.
“Our walkathon to benefit the AIDS orphans combines every aspect of where we are going with this program—from the physical to the psychological,” said Merry Nachemin, administrator for the program, which serves Brooklyn seniors who have a mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or obsessive compulsive disorder. “This is more therapeutic than 50 sessions because they are getting gratification and recognition. It’s concrete and it’s spiritual. Plus, we’re bringing two worlds together.”
Cindy Newton, the physical therapist for the program, said she first asked the clients to begin walking laps in order to build up their strength and endurance. She later decided to use the walking routine to raise money for the AIDS orphans to help the clients battle the feelings of isolation and lack of purpose that many seniors struggle with.
“The walkathon has given the clients a sense of community by enabling them to participate in a group effort and feel that they are involved in a project that is meaningful,” Ms. Newton said. “If you feel connected with something as a whole or if your efforts contribute, it’s very satisfying. It would be a nice thing for other therapists to try in other settings such as nursing homes or senior centers.”
For their efforts, the program’s seniors were honored recently by the African Action on AIDS, Inc., which administers the scholarship program to more than 1,000 AIDS orphans in 17 African countries who would not be able to attend school without assistance.
“It’s really an honor and a privilege to come here and find out that we’ve helped little children,” said Ben Schneider, 91, at the ceremony. “It’s the greatest thing in the world to help others. You sleep better at night.”
The seniors attending the ceremony were recognized as grandparents who were helping grandparents raise children in another part of the world. Each received a certificate declaring them heroes and commending them for their leadership.
Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Michael Spiegelman V.I.P./C.S.S. Day Program for Seniors serves more than 30 seniors who are 60 years and older. In addition, Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers provides borough-wide, outpatient mental health services to Brooklyn’s most vulnerable residents through its clinics in Bushwick, Canarsie, Flastbush-Sheepshead Bay, Williamsburg-Greenpoint, and downtown Brooklyn and the borough’s public schools. Its diverse staff of more than 100 professionals provide more than 60,000 visits annually to adults, seniors, children and their families. For more information, all 718-875-5625 or see www.bpcinc.org.
The African Action on AIDS was created in 1990 to help improve the welfare of children orphaned by AIDS. For more information, contact Ruth Bamela Engo-Tiega, founder and president, at 201-662-7015.
 Seniors, who attend Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Michael Spiegelman V.I.P./C.S.S. Day Program for Seniors with Cindy Newton, the physical therapist for the program, left, Ruth Bamela Engo-Tiega, center back, Merry Nachemin, administrator for the program, center front. |