Rose Kryzak Senior Leadership Award Winners Chosen

FLUSHING, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Adult Ministries, the parent company of Flushing House, will honor three outstanding persons with The Rose Kryzak Senior Leadership Award, during their annual gala fundraising dinner on Thursday, November 3, 2011.

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The awards are named after the late Rose Kryzak, a prodigious public advocate who fought for the rights of older adults. A resident of the UAM-sponsored Flushing House for her last 13 years, she passed on June 24, 1999 at 99 years of age. To keep her legacy alive and further the many causes she cared for, UAM established the Kryzak Awards in 2000 and New York's former First Lady Matilda Cuomo officiated at the program's inauguration.

Rose Kryzak was best known for spearheading passage of New York State's landmark 1987 Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage legislation (EPIC). But earlier in her life she fought for passage of Social Security, for the poor and elderly during the Federal budget cuts of the 1980's, for increases in New York's share of Supplemental Security Income, and for mandatory Medicare assignments and passage of universal health care.

At each annual Gala, Rose Kryzak's grandchildren and family attend to help honor the award winners for their continuing good works on behalf of older adults. The award winners must have established, operated or expanded programs that benefit our older adult population, and have a track record of advocacy and securing funds for senior programs.

This year's honorees are Lawrence Harfmann, Stavroula Joannidis, and Rose Lawrence. "They have all soldiered on in the great tradition of Rose Kryzak, making major contributions of service and caring for older adults," said Robert F. Salant, Flushing House director of community relations. "The legacy of Rose Kryzak shall not be forgotten, and that's why each year since her passing, we bestow these awards in her name," Salant said.

Lawrence S. Harfmann, MSW, has served as program manager of the CCNS Catherine M. Sheridan Senior Center, Jackson Heights, from April 2001 to the present. He is responsible for daily operations of the center, serving over 160 older adults; for budgetary management, case management, dietary and transportation services, and supervises a staff of nine. He ensures all center functions are in compliance with DFTA guidelines and government regulations. Larry advocates effectively for center funding, working with federal, state and city officials and agencies.

From 1992 to 2000, Larry was a community relations assistant for New York City Council Services. On a voluntary basis, Larry served as chairman in 1982 of the 'Save Our Social Security Office' campaign in Glendale, Queens, which was successful in keeping the office open. He was also chairman of the Elmhurst Hospital Community Advisory Board. Earlier in his career, he served for 16 years as an assistant manager in ABC TV administration.

Stavroula Joannidis was appointed director of the HANAC Archbishop Iakovos Senior Center of Long Island City in 1993. Her center is housed in the first HANAC Senior Residence. Since the start, Stavroula ran a supportive center that ensures seniors access to services, a nutritious lunch and recreational/educational programs. She is also director of the HUD Service Coordinator program, a federally-subsidized program linking HANAC's senior housing residents to services, enabling residents to age in place.

Between 1995 and 2002, she served as the site manager for the HANAC Senior Residence, the federally-subsidized building housing seniors and disabled adults. She has a Masters in Psychology and Post-Masters Certificate in Gerontology. She always works hard on issues affecting seniors, tirelessly advocating on their behalf. For several years she was HANAC's representative to the Action Committee of the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City.

Rose G. Lawrence, LMSW, was program manager of the CCNS Seaside Adult Community Center of Rockaway Beach since 2004, until she retired in July 2011. She ran the daily operations at her center, including staff supervision, budget management and service delivery; serving 240 seniors daily. Rose made sure the center adhered to program compliance with all governmental regulations. She coordinated cultural and educational activities, plus transportation for medical and recreational trips. And she worked closely with elected officials, advocating effectively for federal, state and city funds.

Rose was quoted in a full-length article with color photos in the New York Times (March 27, 2011) titled "Alone, Together." The article included many stories from seniors living alone, who have found true friendships with others at her center. Rose was quoted as saying that with her center under recurrent threat of funding cuts, her people will not feel safe until next year's budget cycle is completed. She previously served as program director of the St. Louis Senior Center, Brooklyn, NY, from 1990 to 2004.

The gala fundraising dinner will be held on November 3, 2011, at Westbury Manor, Westbury, Long Island, and begins at 6:00 p.m.

Those interested in attending should RSVP by October 24, 2011, by sending in their name and address, along with a $75 check payable to United Adult Ministries, to Robert F. Salant, director of community relations, Flushing House, 38-20 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11354. For more information, please call 347-532-3025 or send an email to [email protected].

All proceeds support a special endowment fund, which allows Flushing House to remain affordable for many of the older adults who live there.

Built in 1974, Flushing House is a not-for-profit retirement residence, and was one of the first to offer older adults independent living with supportive services on-premises. Please go to www.flushinghouse.com for more information.

SOURCE Flushing House