Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) will train an estimated 420 New Yorkers to become home health aides and personal care aides, supported in part by a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. Participants will complete a comprehensive program at SCS, equipping them with the skills to assist homebound individuals with daily living tasks and basic health needs.
The two-year grant will fund SCS’s Home Health Aide and Personal Care Aide Training Programs. It is anticipated that about 420 trainees will successfully complete the training. Data from previous years indicates that most enrollees are unemployed at the time of registration.
The grant will also support outreach efforts, with SCS planning to host over 40 open houses in both 2025 and 2026 for prospective trainees interested in joining the program. Upcoming open houses will occur on the second week of each month on Mondays at 10 am and 2 pm.
“This year our Foundation hit a milestone in our impact and continued responding to key issues across the state – from maternal health and childhood hunger to immigrant healthcare workforces and mental healthcare for our senior citizens. Our grantees and their commitment to the health and well-being of New Yorkers inspire our grantmaking processes and focus areas year after year. We’re looking forward to another year of the collaboration and community engagement that motivates our work,” said Daniel Frascella, Chief Programs and Grants Officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
Home health aides and personal care aides help homebound seniors with daily activities such as preparing meals, getting dressed, and going to appointments. The demand for home health aides and personal care aides is high and New York currently faces a shortage of these critically important home care workers. As New York’s current population ages, the demand for home care workers is expected to increase.
“Queens has the second largest population of older adults in New York State,” said Judy Zangwill, Executive Director of SCS. “It’s crucial to have skilled professionals available to help homebound older adults with their daily needs. Thanks to the generous support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we can train hundreds of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals for this vital work. We deeply appreciate their contribution.”
The Home Health Aide Training Program at SCS consists of more than 100 hours of training over the course of four weeks, led by a registered nurse. The training includes hands-on demonstrations with mannequins and classroom practice. The curriculum covers essential topics along with specialized training to care patients with neuromuscular disorders.
The Personal Care Aide training is shorter but equally comprehensive, offering a state-approved curriculum that leads to certification. Both programs are free of charge and available in English and Spanish. Enrollment is open to New York City residents.
Graduates receive certification from the New York State Department of Health and are placed in positions with SCS-affiliated organizations, Sunnyside Citywide Home Care Services and Sunnyside Home Care Project. Participants also gain access to additional career advancement opportunities.
For more information about the Home Health Aide Training Program and the Personal Care Aide Training Program, call 718-784-6160, Ext. 342, email info@scsny.org, or visit online at https://www.scsny.org/programs/care-home/become-home-health-aide.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit cabrinihealth.org or email communications@cabrinihealth.org.
Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) is a community-based nonprofit centered on the belief that every person deserves meaningful support to achieve their aspirations – especially struggling families and individuals. SCS serves a diverse community of over 16,000 people of all ethnicities and income levels throughout Queens with programs that range from pre-K to college and career readiness, home care and home health aide training, Beacon and Cornerstone community centers for children and families, legal assistance for immigrants, ESOL classes for community members to improve their English language skills, a vibrant senior center and full range of services for at-risk older adults including social adult day care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, a city-wide program of supportive services for those who care for them, and an elder justice program. With programs designed to enrich lives and strengthen communities through services and engagement for individuals at all ages, beginning with those most in need, SCS has been lighting up lives with programs as diverse as the people they serve since 1974.
