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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 24, 2015
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794
Bosworth Announces $1M in Federal Funding for Project Independence Senior Transportation
Schumer says ‘aging-in-place’ program saves feds millions a year
North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board announced today that the Town will receive approximately $1 million in federal funding for North Hempstead’s Project Independence (P.I.) transportation program, which provide vital services to over 50,000 Town seniors. In July, Supervisor Bosworth and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer called on the DOT to renew its commitment to the P.I. transportation program because the program was in danger of expiring at the end of 2015.
“After a strong push by Senator Schumer the Town received the good news that Project Independence’s transportation program will continue to be funded for the next three years,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “This is great news. Transportation options are key to seniors as they maintain their independence and remain part of the community. This funding will provide a better quality of life for every senior in the Town of North Hempstead by enabling the Town to provide seniors with rides to the grocery store or to the doctor.”
Project Independence provides transportation to supermarkets, doctor appointments and other senior organizations and activities through the Town. The program also provides community social work and nursing services at Project Independence satellite offices and home visits to seniors in need. Because of this program, seniors are able to stay in their own homes, as opposed to entering assisted living or nursing home facilities.
This aging in place concept saves the federal government millions a year. Moreover, with the recent shutdown of the Federal Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS)—a local nonprofit—Project Independence has become even more crucial, as it has taken on approximately 2,000 North New Hyde Park residents who once relied on FEGS.
“Whether it’s a ride to the grocery store, the doctor’s office or somewhere else, ‘Project Independence’ is what drives the stability of our seniors’ lives and the neighborhoods they call home. I am so pleased that the Department of Transportation heeded the call by providing nearly $1 million in federal funds to make sure the services provided by ‘Project Independence’ continue for another three years. This is such a crucial program because it allows seniors to ‘age in place,’ which ultimately keeps neighborhoods stable, seniors active and saves the feds money in the long run,” said Senator Schumer.
For more information about Project Independence or any other Town program, please call 311.
Have you tuned into North Hempstead TV lately? View all of our great programming on Channels 18 or 63 on Cablevision or Channel 46 on Verizon, or visit www.myNHTV.com or www.youtube.com/townofnorthhempstead.
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Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer join seniors from Project Independence on a Town bus