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said. “I think that’s one of the things
we all do at VOA, is that we aren’t judgmental.
We’re here to say ‘hey, let’s do
it together and do everything we possibly
can to achieve the goals set.”
A key step in the relationship between
Volunteers of America-Greater
New York and the clients experiencing
homelessness is to establish an independent
living plan that is “specifi c to
the individual and may include paths
to housing, education, employment,
life skills development, budgeting, or
securing benefi ts,” according to VOA
offi cials.
The path to housing includes emergency
shelter locations and transitional
housing, with more permanent
options being permanent supportive
housing, with an end goal of sustainable,
affordable housing.
Due to land scarcity and high construction
costs, Lee said that there is
an uphill battle for constructing complexes
like East Clarke Place throughout
the city. However, Lee believes that
with “all eyes on New York,” the work
done to address homelessness can be a
model for peer cities.
“I think Greater New York is a
great experiment to try and design
buildings and living spaces that could
possibly take care of the many New
Yorkers who are experiencing homelessness,”
Lee added. “All eyes are on
New York City, and if we can accomplish
this goal, I think it can set an example
for other cities and communities
when it comes to addressing homelessness
and poverty.”
A central purpose of the East Clarke
Place Senior Residence, according to
Brian Moriarty, assistant vice president
of behavioral health and senior
housing programs for Volunteers of
America-Greater New York, is to foster
a community environment for new
tenants, especially those who came
from the isolated settings of shelter
homes.
The layout of the East Clarke building
is intentional with laundry rooms
on alternating fl oors next to comfortable
lounges to help encourage socializing,
various outdoor areas to encourage
group exercise and activities like
art therapy, gardening, trips to museums
or fi tness classes tailored to older
adults.
“There are community rooms, we
have some outdoor patios for the potential
to do group yoga and group exercises
and build an active community
that a lot of these seniors may have not
had in the shelters,” he said.
And a sense of community has always
been important to Rivera.
Volunteers of America-Greater New
York staff said that Rivera was always
willing to lend a hand to residents
at the Schwartz Assessment Shelter
where he was previously housed, often
urging members to go to treatment, attend
meetings and never lose hope, despite
their situation.
“I would tell the guys to take it
easy, don’t feel like nothing’s happening,
and do one part at a time,” Rivera
said. “Don’t feel like there’s no hope.
Ask for help and reach out, and it will
happen.”
As Rivera enters a new chapter in
his life, his goals include reuniting
with his brother for lunch, integrating
into his new Jerome Avenue-Grand
Concourse community and eventually,
fi nding stable employment.
But he will continue to visit his former
community at the Schwartz Assessment
Shelter, he said, and hopefully,
use his story as a motivation for
others experiencing homelessness to
fi nd their permanent home.
“You know I’m not going to say everything
was beautiful, but everything
worked out,” he said, refl ecting
on his journey. “There’s a lot of good
people down in the shelter, they are
good people and I believe everyone deserves
a chance.”
Volunteers of America-Greater New York offi cials said that autonomy is an important step
for people who experience homelessness. For Demetrio Rivera, having a key to his East
Clarke Senior Living apartment is a major milestone.