You're invited to the annual Roosevelt Island Holiday Pop Up Market Saturday and Sunday December 14-15 at the Senior Center (546 Main Street).
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD), NYPD and Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) are hosting their annual Back To School free backpack and school supplies giveaway Friday August 30 at Good Shepherd Plaza.
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:RIDA President Wendy Hersh, RIOC PSD Chief Kevin Brown and resident volunteer Frank FaranceSummer is drawing to a close and that means the school year is right around the corner! Come join RIOC/PSD, RlDA and NYPD for an evening of music, treats, and fun as we distribute free backpacks and school supplies to island residents.
This year’s Back to School Giveaway will be held at Good Shepherd Plaza on Friday, August 30th, 2024, starting at 6PM.
Please arrive no earlier than 5:30pm to begin lining up for the event. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.
We look forward to seeing everyone this coming Friday!
-Team RIOC
described what happened during the 2023 Roosevelt Island Back To School Giveaway.
Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) Executive Director Kristi Towey reports:
The Star Award is given biannually to a member of the Roosevelt Island community in recognition of their extraordinary service. We postponed the scheduled 2023 event to this year because of our 40th anniversary celebration in December. The honoree is nominated and the Board of Directors and Executive Staff vote for their choice.
This year's recipient, Wendy L. Hersh is truly a “Star” in our eyes and that of the community. Wendy helped develop the Scholarship program at MSTDA during her time on the board. This event is a fundraiser for the MSTDA Scholarship Fund. Tickets are available online here.
Wendy's bio:
For decades Wendy has been an indispensable part of the Roosevelt Island Community. She has provided friendship, help, counseling, aid, and comfort to the people on this island who need it the most. When COVID hit, Wendy knew that many of the people were going to have trouble feeding themselves. Today a large assortment of nutritious food is given out for free every Friday afternoon at the Cultural Center. The hours involved are tremendous, and all are voluntary. Her good friend Mary Coleman has been with her every step of the way.
Wendy has been director of the RIDA since 2015. Her predecessor, the late Jim Bates, personally asked Wendy to assist shortly before his passing. RIDA organized the Hope Memorial near Four Freedoms Park which celebrates the life of our first disabled US President, Franklin Roosevelt. RIDA has received grants from a dizzying array of agencies and foundations thanks to her efforts.
Here is a partial list of what RIDA provides.
- the weekly Food Pantry & home delivery of groceries
- educational events to raise awareness of disabilities
- workshops to build skills
- Friday night entertainment & Tuesday night Pilates
- cultural field trips & trips to see friends in rehab facilities
- resources for referral to local agencies • providing disability equipment.
RIDA also partners each year with Public Safety and the Youth Center to collect and distribute toys to island children during the holidays.
After a long and distinguished career in the retail sector Wendy suffered an accident which damaged her spine. She had to rethink the direction of her life. In 2002 she became a certified rehabilitation counselor. Later she obtained her license as a mental health counselor. Her path was then paved toward a life of service for the disabled and those in need.
Wendy joined the MSTDA Board in 2007 and served for 7 years. During that time, she with the board’s backing instituted the successful and incredibly valuable scholarship program. Today we award over $25K in scholarships to families who would not otherwise be able to participate. Wendy's daughter Lauren, a very talented actress, performed for many years in MSTDA productions.
Wendy has touched thousands of lives and for that MSTDA is honored to recognize her as our 2024 RI Star, at our 2nd Star Award Gala fundraiser on July 11, 2024.
You do not need to attend to contribute. There is a donation link on the ticket site as well. There is also a way to donate a ticket for a staff member to attend on the ticket purchase page.
Here's some of the ways Ms Hersh is an indispensable part of the Roosevelt Island community.
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) is hosting a Winter Flea Market 9 AM - 5PM Saturday February 10 at the Senior Center (546 Main Street)
Come check out the RIDA Flea Market and shop without even leaving The Island. Clothing, Food and Magical Finds. Something for everyone.
RIDA President Wendy Hersh adds:
Come shop, eat and stop by the RIDA table to get your free
Puma T shirt too!
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association President Wendy Hersh invites you to RIDA's annual Holiday Market at the Carter Burden Network Older Adult Program Center (546 Main Street) this weekend.
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) gave away over 400 free backpacks and school supplies to local kids at Good Shepherd Plaza today in collaboration with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department.
Great job by RIDA and PSD giving back to the Roosevelt Island community.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:
2023 Backpack Giveaway this Sunday, August 27th
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:Summer is drawing to a close and that means the school year is right around the corner!
Come join RlDA and RIOC/PSD for an evening of music, treats, and fun as we distribute free backpacks and school supplies to island residents.
This year’s Back to School Giveaway will be held at Good Shepherd Plaza on Sunday, August 27th, 2023, starting at 2PM. Please arrive no earlier than 1:30pm to begin lining up for the event. Children must be accompanied by a guardian. We look forward to seeing everyone this coming Sunday!
The Carter Burden Network (CBN) Roosevelt Island Older Adult Program and Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) hosted a Free Health, Wellness & Disabilities Fair today at Good Shepherd Plaza.
I spoke with organizers Wendy Hersh, President of RIDA, together with CBN Roosevelt Island Older Adult Program Executive Director Lisa Fernandez and Outreach Coordinator Yulisa Santana about today's fair.
There were over 30 non profit organizations providing information to Roosevelt Island residents today including these listed in the flyer.
Ms Hersh was told by several vendors that it was the best health fair they've been at.
Contact RIDA President Wendy Hersh or stop by CBN Roosevelt Island Older Adult Program center at 546 Main Street if you would like more info.
The Carter Burden Network and Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) are hosting a Free Health, Wellness & Disabilities Fair Thursday June 15 from 10:30 AM to 1 PM.
According to RIDA, attending will be:
Over 30 non profit agencies that offer information on services and programs that are connected to disabilities, health and mental well being. Live Fitness Demos from Community Partners.
Everyone should stop by. Resources for students, individuals with disabilities, adults and seniors.
Stop by on Thursday June 15 to learn more.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President and local resident Wendy Hersh continues to do what she does best - helping people in need. Either providing help feeding the Roosevelt Island community at the Friday Free Food Pantry or collecting clothes for migrant families seeking asylum.
Last Saturday, Ms Hersh was collecting clothing donations from a storage bin at the Rivercross Building with two volunteers from the Long Island City based Evangel Church Nine Million Reasons organization. The clothing is for migrant families seeking asylum in the United States and currently being housed in LIC.
According to City Hall, at least 45,000 migrants have arrived in the city since last spring, which Mayor Eric Adams said has been the main driver behind record-high homelessness at city shelters. https://t.co/9sy55ZFmrh
— WNYC 🎙 (@WNYC) February 15, 2023
Ms Hersh hopes that other Roosevelt Island building owners will allow clothing storage bins placed in their building so that residents can easily donate clothing to migrant families housed across the East River in Long Island City.
According to Ms Hersh:
According to this March 7 press release from Mayor Adams:
Mayor Eric Adams today released “The Road Forward: Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis,” a comprehensive approach outlining the next phase of the city’s response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis resulting from the surge of asylum seekers arriving in the five boroughs since last spring. As the number of asylum seekers arriving in New York City since last April tops 50,000 — with more than 30,000 currently in the city’s care — Mayor Adams announced he will create the Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) to focus solely on coordinating the city’s continued response with a focus on resettlement and legal services, as well as a new 24/7 arrival center for asylum seekers. The blueprint also outlines new strategies the city will pilot to train asylum seekers for employment, including a program with houses of worship to provide asylum seekers with a place to stay and connection to services, in addition to a partnership with SUNY Sullivan to provide job training and housing for asylum seekers as they await work authorization. Finally, the city will continue to advocate for the state and federal governments to provide additional financial and operational support to better manage the asylum seeker crisis moving forward.
“Over the past year, New York City has faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis caused by global forces beyond our control,” said Mayor Adams. “We have moved mountains to help the tens of thousands who arrived as our shelter population has increased at a dramatic rate. As we continue to respond, I’m proud to announce, “The Road Forward,” our blueprint to address the asylum seeker crisis and outline the work that lies ahead. New Yorkers know that the asylum seeker of today is the citizen, the leader, and the innovator of tomorrow, and I’m proud that New York City is leading the way, turning a crisis into an opportunity for progress for the entire country....”
Here's more info on the RIDA Roosevelt Island Free Friday Food Pantry and the Nine Million Reasons volunteer organization.
UPDATE 8:20 PM:“The current approach is beyond what the City of New York can reasonably sustain without meaningful changes,” the Comptroller’s office said in a new report.
— Documented (@Documentedny) March 14, 2023
✍️ @fisvyo https://t.co/IboIQviYjW
NYC is projected to spend over $4B through FY 2024 on shelter and services for new arrivals.
— Comptroller Brad Lander (@NYCComptroller) March 7, 2023
Our new analysis, "Accounting for Asylum Seekers", breaks down contracts and lays out steps towards economic stability.https://t.co/pQodd4MiiH
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh invites everyone to the Older Adult Center (546 Main Street) annual Pop-Up Holiday Market this weekend.
Here are some scenes from the 2021 Pop Up Market.
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) in collaboration with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) & Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) are hosting a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday October 15 at Good Shepherd Plaza.
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) and Food Bank For New York City are hosting:
A Free Recipe Demo/Tasting And SNAP (EBT) Enrollment Programon Friday September 23 from 2-5 PM at 546 Main Street. They will discuss benefits of fruits and vegetables as well as balanced meals and Portions.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:
The RIDA Food Pantry continues serving the community each Friday from 4 PM – 6 PM, at the Cultural Center (548A Main St.).
When arriving, kindly follow the below guidelines:
- Bring identification.
- If you don’t feel well, stay home.
- Please practice social distancing while waiting in line.
- Wear a mask.
- Bring a shopping cart or bag.
- Proof of vaccination will be required for entry. If you have not been vaccinated, you will be given bagged items at the door.
Be courteous and considerate to volunteers and each other.
On Friday, 9/23 Food Bank of NYC and RIDA will sponsor Free recipe Demo / Tasting and SNAP (EBT) Enrollment at 546 Main Street.
Food Bank For NYC
and some healthy recipes from the Food Bank For NYC.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association in collaboration with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is proud to be able to prepare our community parents and their children for the school year. We will be giving away over 300 backpacks and supplies to children within our community. Supplies are limited and child must be present with their parent.
It is always good to give back to the community...
Summer is nearing an end, that means school is around the corner. Let’s have an evening of music and treats while you come have fun with The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association partnering with RIOC Public Safety Department and the Youth Center to distribute free backpacks with school supplies.
Backpacks will be given out while supplies last, on a first come, first-serve basis. Children must be present with a parent to receive a backpack
When you arrive, you will be directed to a volunteer to receive your backpack of choice. To minimize congestion, we ask that you wait until 4:30pm to begin lining up for the event.
Location: Good Shepherd Plaza
When: Saturday, August 27th, 2022
Time: starting at 5PM
The Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island report:
The Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island is pleased to again sponsor and donate
fresh fruit
to the Roosevelt Island food pantry
for the benefit of the seniors, disabled and needy at Roosevelt island's Seniors Center (546 Main Street).
RIDA President Wendy Hersh adds:
RIDA would like to express our sincere thanks to the Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island for their donation of fresh fruit to our food pantry!!!Your donation helped a lot as fresh fruit is always a great and healthy addition to our pantry.
The
Roosevelt Island Food Pantry
is operated by the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) every Friday from 4-6 PM.
Roosevelt Island residents Wendy Hersh and Mary Coleman
were honored by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine during the Women Who Lead During Covid celebration last March 31
for their work operating the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) Food Pantry
A special message from Deputy MBP @ksuttonjames 👀
— Mark D. Levine (@MBPMarkLevine) March 28, 2022
You don't want to miss our #WomensHistoryMonth event Thursday (3/31) at 6 pm!
➡️Register to join in person at https://t.co/XljsAFmlUy
➡️ or stream on Twitter, FB, and YouTube @MBPMarkLevine pic.twitter.com/xrAv8Amhfw
At the Women Who Lead During Covid celebration, Manhattan Borough President Community Affairs Director Tricia Shimamura spoke from personal experience working with Ms Hersh (RIDA President) and Ms. Coleman (RIDA Treasurer) at the RIDA Food Pantry. Ms Shimamura reported:The Roosevelt Island Food Pantry serves over 150 people every Friday night and yesterday we had the honor and pleasure of joining them. Their efforts are made possible by two incredible women, Wendy Hersh and Mary Coleman. We commend you on your good work! pic.twitter.com/6V7Yj3Emc7
— Mark D. Levine (@MBPMarkLevine) March 12, 2022
The moment that you step onto Roosevelt Island, either through the Tram or off of the F train you know that you're in some place very special. You see it in the infrastructure, in the programs that are being promoted, you see it most importantly in the people and that's why I'm so excited to be recognizing two of our honorees this evening.
Wendy Hirsch and Mary Coleman stepped up during the pandemic. They were both previously members of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association but when the pandemic hit and when some of our most vulnerable people living with disabilities, people who were homebound, people who were taking care of large families and seniors were at their most vulnerable moments, it was these two extraordinary women who stepped up and created the Roosevelt Island food pantry.
Every week, I've seen Mary, who with all due respect does not hit five foot five inches, lug boxes of food into the senior center on Main Street of Roosevelt Island. I've seen Wendy stand for hours checking in residents and making sure that the residents not only get access to fresh produce and shelf-stable staples but also and maybe even more importantly have had a critical connection, a social connection, a checking in point, where they could check in with their neighbors to make sure that they were okay.
In addition to the weekly food pantry that still to this day feeds hundreds of people every week, they've also provided vaccine pop-ups. They've done other social events, other aerobic events for the food pantry and just continue to be the best example that I could see of what Roosevelt Islanders have always been. They take care of one another, they stand up for their most vulnerable and they exhibit a real sense of community spirit so I'm extremely honored to not only be a member of the Roosevelt Island food pantry and to work alongside you but to really be able to recognize you here.
According to Ms Hersh:
We're on the board of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and up until the time of the pandemic our mission of that organization was to help people with disabilities live a better quality of life, the best quality of life that we could give them.
We provided them with trips, with holiday meals so they wouldn't feel alone and help them integrate into our community and make people more aware. When the pandemic happened, we lost a lot of friends, a lot of neighbors.
We could not get food anywhere so we partnered up with the school PS/IS 217 and we would bring shopping carts full of food, a breakfast lunch and dinner, for 170 families. We would bring it back to the senior center because the senior center was closed at that time. We would pack them up into individual bags and we would have people, wonderful volunteers, go deliver to everybody's home so we would deliver to about 170 families.
And when you're talking about women, I would say 98% of our volunteers are women.
It was really really incredible. ... we went from doing that into turning it into a food pantry. We saw the need was greater. Just the amount of people with hidden disabilities that you would never think have a disability the mental health ... so we just decided to keep this going.
We got a lot of support from Roosevelt Island.... It's been wonderful. Mary and I have both lived on Roosevelt Island for about 45 years so if you come to Roosevelt Island you'll see us walking in the street. We're all over the place. everybody knows us so wherever we can give back but we thought that this was just so important and we're going to keep it going.
I just want to say one more thing so without our volunteers this never would have worked. So one person, two people on a board just can't make things work. It takes a whole team to make things work. I'm President, she's Treasurer. It doesn't matter. We all work together to make it work...
Here's video of the March 31 Women Who Lead During Covid Celebration.
More info on the Roosevelt Island Food Pantry at this prior post.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:
RIDA would like to invite you to join Erica Suarino, a Community Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with Food Bank For New York City for FREE nutrition classes and cooking demos! Learn about healthy foods, proper portion sizes, how to save money on food, and more.
At every workshop, Erica will demonstrate how to make a delicious and affordable recipe, many using our pantry food. Receive a fun giveaway at every class!Please respond with your interest in attending and topics you are interested in. You can leave a message at 212-752-1518 or email whersh@nyc.rr.com
Health Meal Planning and Diabetes- What you need to know 28 March 2022
DetailsHealth webinar presented by the Weill Cornell medicine Endocrine/Metabolism Racial Justice Team in collaboration with Mosaic Roosevelt Island. Get questions about your health and nutrition answered from local health experts.
Speaker: Molly Chanzis, Senior Dietitian in the Weill Cornell Kidney & Transplant CenterInteractive presentation followed by Q&A and with a health expert panel.
Interested people can go here and also register at this page, and will then receive the zoom link for the presentation.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:
Coming soon!!!! The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association would like to invite you to join Erica Suarino, a Community Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with Food Bank For New York City for FREE nutrition classes and cooking demos!
Learn about healthy foods, proper portion sizes, how to save money on food, and more.
At every workshop, Erica will demonstrate how to make a delicious and affordable recipe, many using our pantry food. Receive a fun giveaway at every class! We would like to know your interest in attending these types of workshops.
Please respond with your interest in attending and topics you are interested in. You can leave a message at 212-752-1518 or email whersh@nyc.rr.com. The days and time will be announced soon..We hope to see you there!
As a Food Bank Community #Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with the Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables program, Erica Suarino is takes pride in educating New Yorkers on how to make healthy food choices on any budget. pic.twitter.com/2aMQWZ9AxK
— Food Bank For New York City (@FoodBank4NYC) January 19, 2022
With an increased need to safeguard #health and the cost of #food going up due to the pandemic, Erica says that educating community members on ways to save money and make delicious meals safely at home feels like the most meaningful work she can do right now.
— Food Bank For New York City (@FoodBank4NYC) January 19, 2022
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:We distributed KN95 masks and at-home tests with @HolmesIsaacs + @EVANGELIST_SC today and will be on Roosevelt Island this Friday at 4pm across from Good Shepherd Plaza at 546 Main Street! pic.twitter.com/iDIRZoZCuk
— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) January 12, 2022
The RIDA Food Pantry will be open this Friday. Council Member Julie Menin in collaboration with the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association will be distributing KN95 masks at the RIDA Food Pantry in the 546 Main St Lobby this Friday January 14th from 4-5pm. Let's keep our island safe!A spokesperson for Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Julie Menin adds:
... the Covid rapid tests are the take-home rapid tests (they come two in a kit) and we got it from Borough President Mark Levine.
Earlier today, Roosevelt Island NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawight arranged for a Moderna Covid Booster vaccination clinic
According to this press release from Zeel:
"We're pleased to partner with Zeel as we continue to deliver booster shots to the fight against the COVID-19 variants," said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, who has sponsored a total of seven vaccine or booster clinics on the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island. Seawright said that Zeel's delivery of the Moderna booster is vital in ensuring that all communities are properly protected in accordance with CDC guidelines.Since April 2021, New York City-based Zeel has vaccinated tens of thousands of New Yorkers, at 150 New York City public schools, at thousands of homes, and at pop-up locations from Times Square to Coney Island.
Said Zeel Founder and CEO Samer Hamadeh,“I am particularly proud of our tireless teams of providers, who are out in the field getting boosters into the arms of those who need them the most. We are grateful to Assembly Member Seawright and organizations like the Brooklyn and Queens Chambers of Commerce, who see the urgency in this program and are doing everything they can to get as many people, especially at-risk populations and essential workers, boosted as possible.”
Zeel’s citywide network of more than 200 nurses and 200 drivers and administrators have been working around the clock for almost a year. From the city’s most venerated museums to celebrated restaurants like East Harlem’s Rao’s, Zeel has been on-site vaccinating and boosting the essential workers that are the very lifeblood of the city....
