The special broadcast will be broadcast live at noon on Wednesday, April 27 on abc7ny.com and our streaming app, and will then be available for viewing on demand.
According to AARP, “elected New York officials need to find ways to address the most significant issues facing more than 50 New Yorkers. These problems include lack of affordable housing; age discrimination in the workplace; gaps in access to technology; food security; inadequate coordination of services between government agencies; public transport is not available; dangerous streets; social isolation; deficiencies in care; the needs of the elderly center; and shortcomings of home care. Age-friendly New York ensures that people can grow old safely, affordably and happily here. That’s what New Yorkers deserve more than 50. “
Discussion topics will include:
Joining Marza on the panel will be:
Find out more about our guests below:
Beth Finkel, director of the New York State AARP
As CEO Beth R. Finkel manages the day-to-day operations of AARP New York, the most prominent and successful organization in the state, representing over 50 New York City’s overweight population. During her tenure as CEO, AARP’s powerful lobbying efforts on behalf of its 2.6 million members led to historic reforms in New York State, including the passage of the Health Care, Conservation, Anti-Predator Lending, Paid Family Vacation, and Affordable Housing Act. New York. and numerous bills on Kincare.
Prior to her appointment as Director of State, Beth was Senior Advocacy Manager with AARP New York, where she was responsible for all community programs and activities that serve the organization’s membership and attract its extensive network of more than 5,000 active volunteers across the state. .
In her role, Beth has specialized in programming and advocating for senior New Yorkers related to hunger, care, grandparents raising grandchildren, multicultural coverage, viable communities, financial security, and long-term care. During her time at AARP New York, she led and developed the nationwide Kincare Coalition and the New York Coalition of Older Adult Stakeholders. She convened the first summit on the hunger of the elderly to find solutions to barriers to food insecurity. She has also set up a NYS Medicare Savings Program Working Group, a consortium of government, government policy makers and advocates working to remove barriers to enrolling low-income Medicare recipients in this benefit group. She also served on the Governor’s Task Force on Hunger. Beth represents AARP New York when she served on the Advisory Committee on Public Life of former Gov. Andrew Cuoma, on the Governor’s SMART Commission and is a member of Senator Kristen Gillibrand’s Working Group on Aging.
Beth has published numerous official papers and research reports, including: New York City Hunger for the Elderly, New York State 50+, New York City Care: Keeping Families Together, High Anxiety Gen X and Financial stress and aid crisis. .
Board member Crystal Hudson
Hudson Crystal is a board member of New York City District 35 in Brooklyn, representing Prospects Heights, Fort Green, Clinton Hill and parts of Crown Heights and Bedford Stavesant. She was elected in 2021 and went down in history as one of the first black gays elected in New York. Crystal is a community organizer and civil servant, committed to making government more accessible to more people and ensuring a fair recovery for all New Yorkers after the global pandemic, economic crisis and racial calculation.
Her commitment to public service was personal and began when her mother showed signs that she would later be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As the only child of a single mother, Crystal quickly became her mother’s primary caregiver. She experienced first-hand how difficult it is for working families to navigate complex, bureaucratic systems and gain access to the services and resources needed to maintain the safety and health of New York City seniors at home where they can grow old on site and maintain their dignity. Crystal is a fierce advocate for the elderly and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and unwavering in her commitment to serving families caring for loved ones.
Prior to entering the civil service, Crystal worked in marketing and advertising for more than a decade, first with WNBA Washington Mystics and NBA Washington Wizards, and then with Amtrak, where she managed a portfolio of sports, entertainment and multicultural marketing campaigns for passengers. railway service. In this capacity, Crystal spearheaded efforts to further diversify Amtrak advertising and fought for the inclusion of marginalized communities in national advertising campaigns. After joining the civil service, Crystal was co-director of the public relations department at New York City Council, first deputy public relations attorney in the public office, and chief of operations for most of the city’s mayor. Tip.
In March 2020, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal founded the Greater Prospect Heights Mutual Aid (GPHMA) and introduced the group’s work to basic principles of mutual assistance derived from people of African descent and indigenous peoples. countries. United States. GPHMA is working to meet the needs of neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity and economic instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the elderly and those with serious illnesses.
Crystal was named one of the OUT100 laureates of Out magazine in 2021, and was also recognized by City & State New York magazine on its “Brooklyn Power 100” and “Power of Diversity: Black 100” lists.
Crystal is the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants from Jamaica and Honduras, as well as a third-generation Brooklyn resident. She is a proud graduate of Spelman College and holds a master’s degree from George Washington University. She lives with her partner Sasha Ahujai in Prospect Heights.
Board member Diana Ayala
Diana Ayala has worked for nearly two decades, serving 8th District residents in social services and government, and is an ardent advocate on issues including housing, gun violence and senior service.
Diana was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and as a child moved with her family to New York. Growing up in public housing after she was in the asylum system, she faced many challenges that helped her give a unique voice and perspective in government and politics, and fueled her passion for public service.
As a future mother of a teenager, the father of Diana’s son was killed in a senseless shooting, after which she returned to the shelter. She later entered into a new relationship that proved offensive. In the face of these challenges, she found the personal strength to start her life first by enrolling in school and earning a junior degree in social services from the Bronx Community College.
She served as senior director of the East Harlem Center for seven years and later joined Speaker Melissa Mark Weaveritt’s team as director of constitutional services, eventually becoming deputy chief of staff.
In her current capacity, Diana has played an important role in drafting legislation that has become law, from empowering tenants to combating the sale of synthetic marijuana (K2).
New York City Council Member Lynn Shulman / Chairman of the Health Council Committee
Lynn Shulman grew up in Forest Hills and is a longtime community and LGBTQ activist. With decades of leadership in health advocacy and progressive affairs, Lynn has been elected to the city council because she has a vision of how to bring about the necessary change in our Queens communities. A lawyer by education, Lynn has dedicated her career to public service and has held a wide range of management positions in government, private industry and the nonprofit arena.
In her community, Lynn has served for more than 20 years as Deputy Chair of the Joint Council 6. She is also a former member of the Public Council of the 112th Precinct and the Board of Directors of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Lynn served as a member of the District Public Education Council of District 28, where she focused on combating school bullying, expanding student access to music and art programs, and expanding educational opportunities for youth in our city’s public school system.
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