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The Community Service Society of New York has a history of program and service innovation that has led to improving the quality of life of low-income New Yorkers. Dating back to our predecessor organization’s helping the New York City Board of Health establish child health clinics in 1909 to our creating the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in 1966, now the nation’s largest such program, CSS has been at the forefront of identifying needs, creating replicable demonstration projects, and, once tested, launching full scale projects. Our legacy of innovation continues today with programs aimed at improving the financial literacy of low-income New Yorkers, assisting the children and families of the incarcerated, providing in-class reading instruction by senior volunteers to elementary school children, and engaging senior volunteers in life affirming service projects that enhance the quality of life of our city. Recognizing the importance of work to long-term security and well-being, CSS has also launched a program to provide wrap-around support services to young adults seeking to transition to viable employment.
CSS also serves as a resource to help New Yorkers navigate the health care system, with a particular focus on underserved communities, through our Community Health Advocates program (CHA). Through the program, CSS works with 24 community-based organizations throughout the state, helping consumers enroll in and make better use of their public and private health insurance plans. In 2011, CHA was designated as New York's statewide resource for consumer assistance, helping indiviuals to navigate their new insurance options under federal health care reform.
Featured news
A forum sponsored by The Community Service Society of New York and The New York Immigration Coalition presented important new research findings about housing challenges faced by immigrant New Yorkers. Read report, titled “Housing the City of Immigrants" which explores these housing conditions.
Program & Services updates
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