NYFS Supports Independent Living Through Volunteer Action

By Kendra Bobowick

Sisters Amanda Solomon, 11, and Ashley, 9, gripped paper towels and spray cleaners as they washed windows at unit 3-D at Nunnawauk Meadows Saturday, April 23.

Helping them during the Newtown Youth and Family Services, NYFS, Independent Living Day were volunteers Tim and Terri O’Neil who could access higher windows out of the girls’ reach.

Resident Bernice Stewart stepped outside to speak with the girls’ father Jim Solomon, saying, “This is a huge help. It sure is wonderful.” Assisting with her husband and daughters that day was Anne Solomon. Sitting on the NYFS Board of Directors, Mr Solomon joked, “My family had no choice,” but to volunteer during the organization’s outreach event.

Enjoying the “pleasant surprise” Ms Stewart said she saw the Solomons “marching across and realized what was coming.”

Operations Coordinator for NYFS Kaitlyn Johnson said the volunteers and residents had a “good day, despite the weather.” Rain fell throughout the morning and into the afternoon. “People were more than willing to put on their rain jackets and go out there,” she said, noting the number of outdoor projects on the list.

Afraid that volunteer counts would be down, she discovered the opposite. “People were calling and thought this was great and wanted to keep doing things.” She needed more homes and projects to keep up with the volunteers, she said.

Happy to welcome the Solomons to help inside her apartment was Madeline Kenefic, who welcomed her guests Saturday. The sisters helped wash the winter’s film and grit from her windows.

Independent Living Day allows low- to moderate-income senior citizens and disabled residents to remain in their homes independently for longer periods of time, states a recent NYFS press release. Additionally NYFS “provides the seniors with a link to the outside community, making them feel welcomed and cared for as part of the larger community.”

Many senior citizens in Newtown face increased costs of living without the ability to make additional money. In order to live independently, they need assistance with basic home upkeep. As part of the NYFS continuum of care, this project focuses on providing mulch spreading, errands, organizing closets and garages, mowing, clearing debris from walkways, discarding expired food and newspapers, changing floodlights, and disinfecting bathrooms and other living areas to clear away dust and mold.

The NYFS provides services to any senior or disabled resident in Newtown, but the Independent Living Day focuses primarily on Nunnawauk Meadows, a restricted income, over-60 housing development.