The Nursing Office Supports the
Dr. Francia Holgado De Vera: A Woman of Worth
Dr. Francia Holgado De Vera is a native of Pook, Taal, Batangas and has been married to Fausto DeVera or Bro. Aka Tito, for more than three decades. They are blessed with two beautiful children, Rudner and Richarleene. Dr. Rudner De Vera is married to Dr. Raquel Lyn De Vera and they have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter, River Jean. Daughter Richarleene De Vera Walsh is married to Ryan Walsh.
Dr. Francia De Vera finished her Pre-Med at University of the Philippines Diliman and graduated with a degree in Medicine at the Far Eastern University (FEUNRMF). She specialized in Pediatrics at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She runs three medical practice offices in Brooklyn and Queens, and is currently affiliated with Lutheran and NYU Langone Medical Center.
She is an active volunteer and avid supporter of the Filipino-American community, religious and civic groups here in North East America. Some of these are as follows: Volunteer Soloist at the old San Lorenzo Chapel and St. Michael Church in New York City since 2009; Vice-President of First Filipino Martyr Saint, Inc; Hermana and Member of Executive Committee of Taalenos of the East Coast; Matriarch at the 10th Anniversary of Red Poinsettia Grand Ball of Friends, Indeed; Mother of the Year Awardee (NAFFAA-2012); Women Achievers (Medical Profession) Pan American Concerned Citizen Action League (PACCAL), 2018; Member of Ladies for Rizal - Knights of Rizal, New Jersey Chapter. She is the current Executive Director of the Philippine Community Center Services for Aging, Inc. (PCCSA), a 501-C3 nonprofit corporation.
She is a life-long artist who has played major dramatic roles, such as, Harah Humani, wife of Rajah Humabon in a zarzuela, “Ang Pagdating ng Krus at Espada,” under the Purple Pillars Production of Las Islas Filipinas. She not only excels in her profession as Pediatrician for the last four decades, but she is also well-known for her God-given talent as the “Singing Doctor” of the Filipino-American community.
Finally, she has set the record as the only Grand Marshall of the Philippine Independence Day Celebration, sponsored by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) for three consecutive years, from 2020 to 2022. Today, September 12, 2021, she is being awarded the prestigious title of WOMAN OF WORTH.
Dear Friends & PCCSA Officers,
Welcome all to see where we are and where we are going as an organization. This meeting is a combined Progress Report and Strategic Planning. This will serve several purposes: as official minutes of meetings and presents a continuous agenda. This will help us to maintain transparency and timely update of our organization’s progress.
The BOOK
I Incorporation Paper*
II Mission, Vision, Philosophy*
III By Laws*
IV Officers and Board*
V Services*
VI Agenda*
- Follow Up of Programs & Services
- Review of Policies & Contracts
- Review of MOA's (Templates in place)
VII Organizational Procedures*
VIII Monthly Report*
IX Annual Tax Data Report*
2019 PCCSA Tax Data
2020 PCCSA Tax Data
2021 PCCSA Tax Data
X Fundraising & Sustainability*
XI Donors & Supporters*
XII Website*
Dr. Francia DeVera, Executive Director
(516-287-4413)
francia.devera@gmail.com
TIME TO ENJOY THE GOLDEN YEARS
…aging is not loneliness and giving up
.it is a continuing life of fun, diversity and spin.
..one must seek it....PCCSA is here for you.
Ma. Consuelo Almonte
Founder/ President
(A Program of The Nursing Office Services for Aging Immigrants)
A Heartfelt Profession of a Mission : Ministry for the Aging
I have been blessed with an excellent, creative and exciting diplomatic career as Assistant to the Press Minister of the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations for 43 years. Now, the best life path for me is giving back and making a difference in the lives of seniors and elderly persons by "Preparing and Enjoying the Golden Years ". This advocacy has, and still is, giving me deeper meaning in my life, far beyond the personal and professional satisfactions I have already experienced and achieved. Indeed, the best and most satisfying life is serving those who are truly in need.
My ultimate dream, as I lay the foundation of the Philippine Community Center Services for the Aging, is for it to become an "enduring" institution to serve one of the most forgotten sectors of the Filipino American community and the world at large.
Ma. Consuelo Almonte
Ma. Consuelo Almonte: JCI Honoree, ICON of IMPACT Award 2016
Philippine Community Center Services for Aging
115-03 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Tel (718) 441- 1848
PRESS RELEASE
February 18, 2016
How Would You Prepare and Enjoy the Golden Years?
Philippine Community Center Services for Aging has a full-range of attractive and innovative options, according to Director Ma. Consuelo Almonte.
We envision Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants, who are educated and trained advocates, to access culturally sensitive & competent health-care services or therapies; fair housing practices; technological literacy; and financial independence.
We are seeing immensely Creative, Innovative, and Vibrant Seniors and Elderly Persons, utilizing their experience and hard-earned skills to mentor young people and activate intergenerational dialogues which inspire and motivate the next generation to create their own legacies.
We see these engaged Seniors and Elderly persons building strength for themselves, their families and communities, through Art, Dance, Theater, Literature, and many other expressive cultural forms.
We see active Seniors reach out to invisible aging or Elderly Immigrants seriously challenged by chronic illness, loneliness, isolation, or separation from close family, and by lack of information on access to government benefits. and engage them in self-empowering health & wellness practices.
We support Active Seniors who are opening their own private homes (or houses) to provide Living Spaces for fixed income Seniors, or Interactive Spaces for dialogues where Elderly Immigrants and Younger Immigrants interact, recall, and document their family and social histories living in Queens and other boroughs of New York City.
We encourage Seniors to expand their range of choices & strengthen support networks that help them navigate resources to address their health, housing, psycho-social, financial, or legal/immigration needs and issues.
We all look forward to our productive, beautiful and healthy Golden Years!
Ludy Resurreccion
Program Director, The Nursing Office
" A Day in the Life of a Gerontological Nurse" by Myrna D. Santos, RN
Mission:
To promote, celebrate and salute the elderly, and provide products and services to influence a change in culture to prepare and enjoy the golden years through a carefully designed program by and for seniors.
Vision:
Aging should not be a challenge.
Philosophy:
Aging is not loneliness and giving up. It is a continuing life of fun, diversity and spin. One must seek it.
Q: What is the Board all about?
A: The Board is the governing body of The Philippine Community Center Services for Aging
Q: What are the duties and responsibilities of the Board?
A: The duties of the board (Board Governance) will be designed by the board members themselves. Through business, leadership and management skills, we will start our organization, put up our bylaws, rules, policies and procedures, so that we will thrive as a successful organization both for services and financial sustainability. We will put up the basics for our projects, so that it can be implemented by our employees, or partners.
Q: What does it take to become a Board member?
A: We will be our greatest assets. Our willingness to give back and make a difference and influence the future of our aging communities will keep us together in this mission and vision.
VISION-MISSION:
Aging seniors or Elderly Immigrants who are educated and trained
To advocate for their rights to:
1. Culturally Sensitive/Congruent & Competent Health-care services or therapies
2. Fair housing practices
3. Technological literacy
4. Financial independence
Who are nurtured and honed in Senior-friendly spaces/environments with family, friends, and the general community of Richmond Hill and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants empowered to support other Immigrant Seniors in the community with similar situations, issues or challenges in their pursuit of optimum health and well-being as well as meaning and purpose in life.
GOALS:
To reach out to invisible Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants living in our community who are seriously challenged by chronic illness, loneliness, isolation/separation from close family, and lack of information on access to government benefits, by addressing unmet needs and encouraging active participation in TNO Community Center's community activities for the Richmond Hill neighborhoods.
To provide Space for Intergenerational Dialogue where Elderly Immigrants and Younger Immigrants interact, recall, and document their family and social histories living in Queens, New York.
To encourage Seniors to expand their range of choices & strengthen support networks that help them address their health, housing, psycho-social, financial, or legal/immigration issues (See www.thenursingoffice.com).
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
I. Case Management Program
A. Establish Case Management Protocol for technical, legal, financial, health, housing, etc., challenges of Aging Senior citizens and Elderly Immigrants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, or ethnicity.
B. Draw up Support network, contacts, resource, & point person to meet the specific challenge of the aging Senior citizen and/or Elderly Immigrant.
C. Implement Plan of action to address urgent and/or pending issue of Elderly Immigrants and secure a Safe Space to protect confidentiality.
D. Execute timely, appropriate Documentation (paper, electronic, etc.) and Reference files on each Immigrant Senior’s case.
E. Resolve urgent issues with the least harm, at the least cost to the aging Senior citizen and/or Elderly Immigrant person.
II. Intergenerational Dialogue Program
F. Connect with Younger Immigrant groups to write, document via various media, their dialogue on family & social histories, by mentoring the youth and/or learning from them how life challenges were overcome.
III. Education, Training, and Advocacy Program
G. Conduct Education/literacy, Work Skills-training, and Advocacy-training classes necessary to upgrade aging Seniors’ learning & awareness on self- care, health care services, fair housing, financial and legal issues, such as, living will, estate planning, property management, pensions & benefits, such as Medicare/Medicaid, social security, taxes & retirement issues (both here or abroad).
H. Conduct and hold affordable Classes in Health Care-Giving in order to develop basic skills in self-care and home care-giving among the Elderly Immigrants and their family members.
I. Connect with Diabetes Health & Wellness Academy for healthy nutrition and diabetes prevention classes.
IV. Employment Referral & Placement Program
J. Connect skilled, trained, and experienced Home Care-Givers with health care agencies that provide FT or PT employment for willing, able, and healthy Elderly Immigrant Seniors.
V. Extended Arts Program
K. Provide spaces for Creative, Interactive, and Socializing activities that are Senior and Elderly Immigrant-friendly in the Community Center.
L. Conduct Visual arts, Performing arts, or Literary arts Workshops for elderly and aging Seniors as well as younger family members, to encourage individual and group collaborations that nourish and enhance their artistic/literary expressions and skills.
M. Connect with neighboring Senior centers (i.e., Hillcrest Senior Center, Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center, Jamaica Library, etc.), arts and culture centers, and schools to collaborate on art/cultural exhibits and other activities, such as, Once Upon a Time, Inc. at 87-61 111th St., Richmond Hill, NY 11418; PS 90 Horace Mann School: Boys and Girls Club, Sikh Cultural Society, etc.
VI. Health and Wellness Program
To promote Non-conventional Modalities of Healing and Wellness for Individuals, Children, and their Families and Care-givers.
To provide a Sanctuary (or Safe Space) for Non-conventional Healing Modalities for Practitioners, Clients, Families, and Caregivers.
To utilize Native American, Asian, African, and/or Middle Eastern traditions in Circle Stages, Ethnic Food, Music, Dancing, and Storytelling as Healing Formats and/or Environments.
To allow the Creative Modes of Non-conventional Traditional Healing and Self-care to Flourish and Prosper for the General Wellness of the Community.
To connect and/or integrate non-conventional modes of healing & wellness with institutional health facilities open to collaborating with alternative medicine and innovative, nurse-driven healthcare solutions.
Non-conventional Healing (def.): Any or all healing modalities that flow with or use natural energies or elements not dependent on pharmaceutical or artificial chemical drugs; any modality that ensures health & wellness beyond codependency on drugs.
PROGRAMS &/OR ACTIVITIES
1. CIRCLE OF HEALING (STAGES)
Getting Acquainted, Building Relationships, Addressing Issues, and
Taking Action
2. STORY-TELLING
Introduction, Incident, Impact, Reflection
3. FOOD AS MEDICINE
Proper Choices, Preparation, Cooking, Enjoyment
4. MOVEMENT AS HEALTH
Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi Exercises, Rhythmic Dancing
5. STILLNESS MEDITATION
Qi Gong, Healing Sounds, Breathing Techniques, Focused Prayer
6. HOLISTIC HEALING
Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda
7. THE NURSE IS IN: Health Screening, Education, & Outreach
Nutrition & Organic, Natural Foods Education
P.E.T.A. Pagasa Education Training & Advocacy, 2014
Slogan: “Lakasan Ang Loob …Ibangon Ang Sarili”
(A Program of PCCSA & The Nursing Office COMMUNITY CENTER)
VISION-MISSION:
Filipino-American Seniors educated and trained to advocate for their rights to culturally sensitive & competent health-care services or therapies; to fair housing practices; to technological literacy; to financial independence --- nurtured and honed in Senior-friendly spaces/environments with family, friends, and the general community.
Filipino-American Seniors empowered to support other Seniors in the general community with similar situations or challenges, in their pursuit of happiness and true meaning or purpose in life.
GOALS:
To reach out to Invisible Seniors living in our community who are seriously challenged by loneliness, isolation, and helplessness, through the activities at the PCCSA & The Nursing Office Community Center, and participation in larger community activities.
To encourage Seniors to expand their range of choices & strengthen support networks that help them address their health, housing, psycho-social, financial, or legal issues (See www.thenursingoffice.com).
OBJECTIVES
- Establish Case Management Protocol for technical, legal, financial, health, housing, etc., challenges of Senior citizens, regardless of race, gender, color, or ethnicity.
- Draw up Support network, contacts, resource, & point person to meet the specific challenge of the Senior citizen.
- Implement Plan of action to address urgent and/or pending issue of the Senior person and secure a Safe Space to protect confidentiality.
- Execute timely, appropriate Documentation (paper, electronic, etc.) and Reference files on each Senior’s case.
- Resolve urgent issues with the least harm, at the least cost to the Senior citizen.
- Conduct education, skills-training, and advocacy-training classes necessary to upgrade Seniors’ learning & awareness on self-care, health care services, fair housing, financial and legal issues, such as, living will, estate planning, property management, pensions & benefits, social security, taxes & retirement (both here or abroad).
SERVICES
Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program
The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) Program, effective June 8, 2016, allows certain eligible U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to request parole for their eligible family members. For more information:https://www.uscis.gov/fwvp
Homecare Giving
Sisterhood
Case Management
PCCSA/ TNO offers case assistance, information and referrals to their senior members to help them gain access to needed services, benefits, and entitlements they would be unable to obtain without such aid. Many of our seniors are either unaware of the appropriate benefits and services available to them or are unable to make their case to the appropriate agencies. Many of our seniors have Limited English Proficiency or lack access to the means necessary such as a computer or transportation to access the services they need. In order to provide this support our case manager reaches out to the seniors in the center to discover their needs, inform them of appropriate benefits and services available to them, and assist in obtaining the desired services or benefits through referrals and advocacy. The case manager identifies entitlements for which our members may be eligible and develops a client service plan and may provide advocacy on behalf of our clients to assert client rights and eligibility benefits or services. PCCSA/TNO provides multi-lingual help in Tagalog and English and other dialects.
Some of the situations we provide case management for are:
Benefits – Low income members make Inquiries about benefits like:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance program),
- SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income),
- Housing Assistance,
- Disability Benefits and other benefits.
Transportation – Many of our members require assistance to fill in the application for Reduced Fare Metrocards or Access-A-Ride.
Health Insurance – Members need help with Health Insurance renewal, change of address, Medicaid
Applications, information their eligibility for Medicare/Medicaid or ACA coverage.
Bill disputes – Members sometimes need help with understanding or resolving disputes about their internet/cable bill, or medical service bills.
Documents review – The Case Manager sometimes needs to read letter/documents for members and to explain or interpret them.
Employment – Many members ask questions about employment, senior employment programs, and how to get income support.
Citizenship/immigration – Our seniors have questions about or need help with citizenship, re-entry permission, green card, visa issues and other immigration help.
Mental Health Community Approach as First Aid – Our case manager is certified in Mental Health First Aid to help older adults with anxiety, depression, social isolation, and more.
RESOURCES
NYC Department for the Aging https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dfta/index.page
Our Past Events
Today, we officially close this Photography Exhibit of over 20-year-old genius of Mr. Carlos Esguerra’s God Made, Man Made. We support him in his mission of helping Filipinos through this God given talent to capture man made creations and read Divine messages in between. With this, we enclose a check of 300.00 to show our financial support. We honor him as a living legend of exemplary Filipinos of our times and include him in our upcoming book, The Legends Rising.
We thank our friends who supported this Exhibit. Despite the limitations of this Corona Virus.
We thank the Ilocano Association for their kind support in providing this venue.
We thank God for our Blessings.
~Francia De Vera (Executive Director of Philippine Community Center Services for Aging) January 10, 2021
Aging and Senior Care Resources for Communities in New York
Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We have been featured by AARP, The Administration for Community Living, The National Legal Resource Center, and Forbes, as well as referenced by many governmental agencies and organizations across the internet.
https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care/new-york
https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care/new-york/richmond-hill/