The Bay Ridge Center for Community Service

The Bay Ridge Center is a non-profit, non-sectarian multi-service program sponsored by Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Since 1976 the Bay Ridge Center's mission has remained unchanged: to improve the quality of life for the area's senior population, assist the needy and stabilize those most at risk in their homes and neighborhood. Over the last year, the Bay Ridge Center's 30 staff and 50 volunteers provided an array of services to more than 12,000 individuals.

On Site Services:  The Senior Center, located at 6935 Fourth Avenue in the Fellowship Hall of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, is open each weekday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and most Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and provides more than 30,000 on site hot meals and nearly 1,500 activities classes, nutrition classes, health screenings, presentations and trips over the year.

Activities offered weekly are: morning stretch, stretch, aerobics, dance, self defense, Tai Chi, yoga, needlecraft, quilting, bingo,  Craft Corners, painting, creative glass, backyard parties (photo above), movies, discussion groups, a theater workshop and beginner and intermediate Microsoft Word and Internet use. The Bay Ridge Center also provides English as a Second Language/Citizenship beginner and intermediate classes.

Outbound Services: Our social service program provided access to and case-managed the provision of 13,000 hours of housekeeping and personal home care last year, and  prepared and delivered more than 60,000 meals on wheels to homebound clients. 

Socially isolated seniors received 525 hours of weekly visits from our friendly visitors, 500 hours of shopping assistance and the Center's three wheelchair-accessible vans provided 7,900 trips, bringing seniors to medical appointments and other services.

Anti-Hunger Initiative:  In addition to hot meals at the Center, each year our Food Pantry provides more than 6,000 men, women and children assistance with an emergency grocery supply, 8,000 individuals with a bag lunch from the take away soup kitchen, and 2,000 frozen meals prepared and donated by area restaurants.

Staff & Support: The Bay Ridge Center employs more than 30 professional and support staff and welcomes many volunteers to assist in the care and well being of seniors.  The Center works cooperatively with other organizations, businesses, civic groups, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and others.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church's Bay Ridge Center Commission oversees the program operations, sets policies and budgets and helps ensure a high standard of service.

Our Community Advisory Board provides advice on community needs, assists in fundraising efforts and promotes awareness in the community of the services offered.

The Bay Ridge Center

Ellen Lauer, LPN, MSW, Executive Director
(photo above)

Ilene Greinsky, Senior Center Director

Eeva-Lisa Atkins, Social Services Director

 Activities Center
6935 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11209-1501
P: 718-748-0650 - F: 718-748-6038
Administrative Offices
411 Ovington Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11209-1504
P: 718-748-0873 - F: 718-680-5143
E-Mail: info@bayridgecenter.org - Website: bayridgecenter.org

The Heart of Bay Ridge

_____________

Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Sunday Service: 10:30 am
Fourth & Ovington Avenues - 718-748-9502

- A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -
Copyright © 2004-2008 Bethlehem Lutheran Church