Senior Place With Different Look

The Glendale-based Queens Multi Service (QMS), which is part of the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, provides Living S.P.A.C.E., a recreation and socialization program for developmentally disabled adults, ages 40 and older. Participants are pictured with Diane Sheehan, QMS program director, and John Gartland, QMS assistant program director. Shown from left: (first row, seated) Billy Meade, Louis Barbieri, Carmen Muniz, Elsie Gramm; (middle row) Joseph Chyza, Michael Cox, Diane Sheehan, John Gartland, Geraldine Brown; (back row) Allen Schultz, Richard Baird and Charles Baker. (photo: Bill Mitchell) While the Queens Multi Service (QMS) office in Glendale helps to provide seniors and others with a full slate of services they need, it may not fit the popular image that many have of such a place.

"There's more to senior services than just meals and activities," observed Roseann Rosado, the QMS director.

Indeed, the non-profit agency, located at 76-01 Myrtle Ave., may not have the facilities to cook and serve lunches. But it features a friendly and knowledgeable staff of specialists who guide local seniors in taking advantage of the benefits and services available to them.

Roseann Rosado (at left), executive director of Queens Multi Service (QMS) in Glendale, and Renae Tschernoletz, QMS administrative assistant. (photo: Bill Mitchell) "Senior centers are wonderful, but they provide the wellness services," Rosado said. "We're a walk-in entitlement office."

She added, "A lot of people don't know exactly what we do. They know we're here, but what services do we provide?"

Those who visit can expect to receive the help they need regarding food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as some lesser-known entitlement services, such as the MTA's Access a-Ride program for people with disabilities.

Among the senior services for which QMS can assist applicants are the state-sponsored Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), which helps in paying for prescription drugs, and the federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which make it easier to pay the costs of heating.

"A lot of people don't know what they're entitled to receive," Rosado said. "For this reason, when they first come in, we do an overview on their monthly income or resources."

This is where the quality of staff comes into play and Rosado makes no secret of the fact that she is proud of the veteran staffers who work at QMS.

"Today, finances are the hardest thing for somebody to come in and talk about," she said. "But we have wonderful people here who will make you feel comfortable."

What and when

Just as the availability of some programs is based on income guidelines, there are other considerations, such as when to apply.

"There are certain times when you can apply for certain things—and we keep them abreast of when to do that," she said.

As part of an outreach effort, the QMS publishes a monthly newsletter that is distributed to local businesses and various senior centers. In addition, it is given to seniors who visit the office.

Beyond providing information and helping seniors to navigate their way through paperwork, QMS caseworkers also perform blood-pressure screenings on-site and at various senior centers.

Help for elder abuse victims

Among its programs, QMS has one which looks to assist victims of elder abuse, in various forms. Gilbert Sepulveda and Gil Fuentes, the two male staffers who conduct the program, also volunteer their time as auxiliary police officers at the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick.

In addition, QMS also operates a food pantry and a transportation service.

"Anyone who walks in the door, regardless of age, can receive a food bag—all we ask is that they sign their name; no other information is required," Rosado said. "In the bag is the newsletter and hopefully, besides the funny stories and the other information it contains, they'll find something they need to know."

As explained, the transportation program involves the use of car service to help seniors make local visits to doctors and dentists, as well as hospitals and laboratories.

The funding for it is made possible through a grant.

In discussing the various services and programs offered by QMS, Rosado noted that there have been shifts and changes over the years.

At one time, it had a Saturday program for seniors, enabling them to socialize, and a youth program.

The determining factors involve changing needs as well as the kind of grants it receives. Rosado noted that QMS had been able to offer a crime victims program—until funding for it was cut this past fiscal year.

Concern over funding cuts

"Hopefully, we'll be able to continue [the transportation program]," said Rosado, who acknowledged that the current economic climate has her concerned about future funding sources on the city and state levels. Looming budgetary cutbacks figure to have an impact—one that could prove devastating to non-profit organizations that rely on funding to make their programs available to the community.

While QMS holds an annual candy sale and accepts advertising from sponsors in its newsletters, funding is the fuel that powers its engine.

"My concern is what happens to my staff, who are providing quality, in-depth services, and what happens to the seniors—they're going to be lost in the shuffle," Rosado said, with particular concern for the senior who never applied for a credit card and now needs to "navigate the system" of completing applications and submitting documentation.

"The senior centers are already facing their own cuts in different ways and they're not staffed to perform the in-depth entitlement services that we do."

As she pointed out, there are area senior centers that refer people to QMS for such help.

S.P.A.C.E. of their own

Of all the services QMS offers, none is more impressive than its Living S.P.A.C.E. (Special People Active in a Community Environment), a recreation and socialization program designed for developmentally disabled adults 40 years and older.

The program operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It affords its participants an opportunity to gather for the enjoyment of arts and crafts, games, movies, music, trips, holiday celebrations and birthday parties.

They have the chance to share a hot lunch, specially provided for them.

Without the program, the people who participate in it would be less likely to go out and socialize with others.

The program is conducted by Diane Sheehan, the QMS program director, and John Gartland, assistant program director.

In visiting the Living S.P.A.C.E. program and seeing the sheer joy of its participants, imagining the loss of it was not a pleasant thought

How it began

The QMS was established about 25 years ago as a sort of satellite presence in Glendale by the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council (RBSCC), a non-profit organization that was founded by Assemblyman Vito Lopez. At one time, QMS was located further west on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale before moving to its present site.

Lopez was honored last month during a special celebration, held at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, to mark the 33rd anniversary celebration of the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Cit- izens Council.

On a fact sheet about the organization's history it is noted that last year it formed a partnership with Sunnyside Community Services, making the RBSCC the subcontractor.

As described, the program provides case managers to assess homebound seniors and their caregivers within the zip code area of 11385 to determine their needs and make the appropriate referrals for services. Some services that might be provided to these homebound seniors include: meals; benefits and entitlements; social adult day services; housekeeping/ homemaking; personal care; and transportation.

According to Rosado, the case management program had been run by the Ridgewood Older Adult Center, prior to being awarded last year to Sunnyside Community Services

Currently, three case managers and a supervisor are working out of the QMS office, in making the necessary assessments. Rosado noted that the area being serviced also includes part of Middle Village.

She said that the case load amounts to about 240 homebound individuals.

Arrived with experience

This November will mark Rosado's 13th year with the nonprofit agency, after eight years at a senior center in Ozone Park.

Much of what she does now is what she calls "the behind-the-scenes work" of administration, while other staff members look to provide the direct services to those who visit the office.

In addition to those already mentioned, the QMS staff, as listed, also includes: Christiana Fisher, CEO; Sandra Christian, assistant executive director; Renae Tschernoletz; administrative assistant; Josephine Panicola, caseworker; Susan Joseph, supervisor, case management; Hugo Escobar, Evelyn Vasquez and Jacqueline Morales, case managers.

While Rosado's QMS work may call for a role that has her managing things in the background, the Ridgewood resident does not hesitate to step forward as befits a community activist. She is a member of Community Board 5 and a member of the boards of the 104th Precinct Community Council and the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center.

Additionally, she regularly attends various community meetings pertaining to matters of importance in both Queens and Brooklyn.

In keeping with her belief in activism, Rosado said, "We get out there at least once a year to different senior centers and organizations in Queens and Brooklyn, just to make them aware of our services. My staff comes out with me."

In recognition of her efforts regarding service to the community, Rosado was honored by her alma mater and inducted into Christ the King Regional High School's Hall of Fame.

"It was an honor to be chosen," she smiled

To a visitor, it seemed clear that Rosado's hope now is that the choices made by elected officials will allow her to keep her QMS team intact, with funding to continue their work in helping others—with or without the meals.

Editor's note: For more information regarding Queens Multi Service, call 1-718-366-0200.