VOCAL - VOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTION AND LEADERSHIP
Partners In Education and Advocacy

an educational program for intergenerational advocacy for aging-related issues, is an engine to fully realize the promise of representative government. VOCAL provides people of all ages, perspectives and heritage with information, skills, resources and tools to invigorate the American tradition of grassroots involvement in public policy. Partnering with organizations, associations, businesses and institutions, VOCAL offers free Information Plus community workshops and events that raise awareness and educate people about how each of them can inform legislators about their views and say just how they want them to respond.

VOCAL Just Connections supports the faith community’s long history of commitment and service to individuals and local communities by sharing resources, providing them with information and presenting effective advocacy training. It works with houses of workshop to play stewardship roles in addressing significant quality of life concerns for current and future generations.

VOCAL welcomes everyone to Stay Informed and Join the Conversations
For VOCAL materials click here

Generations
Partners In Education and Advocacy

Generations, Westchester County’s free bimonthly newspaper for seniors, is an ideal vehicle for promoting Partnership activities. The newspaper highlights our educational and advocacy efforts and provides a way to publicize our sponsors’ and donors’ involvement in the various efforts the Partnership supports. The newspaper also keeps about 100,000 seniors and their caregivers informed with timely reporting on Medicare, health, recreation, housing, and a host of related senior issues.

This year, the publication reached out to baby boomers, most of whom are now approaching their senior years, with illuminating stories on the changing face of retirement. Each edition offered useful tips to educate seniors, with the aim of protecting them from fraud and various types of financial and physical abuse.

SMART (Students and Mature Adults Read Together)
Partners In Education and Advocacy

SMART is a model intergenerational literacy program that utilizes the largely untapped resources of older adults to benefit the youth of Westchester.

SMART, sponsored by the Jewish Council of Yonkers takes an asset-based approach to senior involvement in the community. Older adults tutor and mentor students who are reading below grade level. Such mentoring relationships have been proven to stimulate students’ academic interest and commitment, and to foster socially responsible behavior. Through the establishment of a nurturing relationship, and with the guidance of a positive role model, success within and outside of school is more attainable for these students.

SMART creates an environment that fosters achievement and creates a pattern of success and independence throughout life. In 2006, seniors in the SMART program volunteered in two Elmsford Schools, three Mount Vernon schools and twenty-seven schools in Yonkers.