Search and Care

Organization Description

Search and Care’s mission is to seek out older people in New York City’s Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, and East Harlem neighborhoods who need help managing life’s daily activities or accessing essential services, and to provide them with the support and companionship they require to live with security and dignity in the manner they choose.

Founded in 1972 by Pastor Clarke C. Oler (Church of the Holy Trinity), together with Suzannah Chandler (MSW), Search and Care was originally set up as a church outreach program to help neighborhood elders who were becoming at-risk of losing their cherished independence, due to a lack of resources and limited reliable supports in their lives. Seventy-two older Yorkville residents were helped that first year. Services for neighboring Carnegie Hill soon followed. In 1975, Search and Care became a fully independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, community-based social service agency, helping any person age 65 or older – regardless of race, religion, creed, or economic capabilities.

Upon Ms. Chandler’s retirement in 2006, Brian C. Kravitz (LCSW, MS. Ed) joined Search and Care as Executive Director, and helped further implement the agency’s no-fee, in-home care into neighboring East Harlem – a community where the elderly face cultural, language, economic, and educational challenges that impact upon their capacity to access proper care.

In the 41+ years since Search and Care’s inception, the agency has continuously honed and refined our services to reflect changes in client needs, demographics, and societal trends. What has remained steadfastly the same for all 10,000+ vulnerable older men and women the agency has helped – is our dedication to supporting their safe, dignified independence. The agency incorporates compassionate and comprehensive social work services, with assistance in the disciplines of nursing and occupational therapy (for health and wellness), mental health (for emotional support), financial care (for safety and security), therapeutic groups and volunteerism (for socialization, companionship, and assistance with emergency escorting, shopping, pet care, and home organization). Together, this broad range of community-based supports, regularly sustained often directly in our clients homes, help them maintain their well-being and quality of life.

Location

1844 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10128

Contact

Phone: (212) 289-5300
Fax: (212) 289-5232
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.searchandcare.org

Media

facebook.com/Search-and-Care
twitter.com/SearchandCare