Health Advocates Celebrates 40 Years of Service to Community

Health Advocates had much to celebrate at our 40th Anniversary event on March 14, 2026, held at Brick Church’s Watson Hall on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Nearly 200 community members gathered to recognize the organization’s 40-year history of promoting safe and healthy aging.

Founded in 1985 by a group of community social workers who wanted to expand healthcare options for older adults in the Bronx, Health Advocates has evolved over the years to meet changing needs. For the past two decades, the organization has offered its Healthy Aging program, which includes exercise classes, educational seminars, movie afternoons, board games, writing workshops, and more. Participants also enjoy trips to New York City museums and other cultural attractions, along with home safety consultations and access to gently used medical equipment. Best of all, everything we offer is free of charge.

Guests at the celebration enjoyed time to mingle, hors d’oeuvres, and a program of remarks. Speakers included former Executive Director Nancy Houghton, New York City Councilmember Virginia Maloney, current Executive Director Laura Colin Klein, and Board President Gary Heinze.

The event also featured a special performance by Sing for Your Seniors, a nonprofit that enriches lives through the universal language of music by bringing professional performers to organizations serving older adults.

The afternoon concluded with cake and a toast celebrating Health Advocates’ past, present, and future—and our continued commitment to supporting older adults today and for generations to come.

Health Advocates is deeply grateful to the many volunteers who made the event possible, including Catherina Davius and Erielle Delzer from the Junior League of New York, Deb Godinger, Margy Koen, and Dale Simpson from the Health Advocates community, as well as student volunteers from The Brearley School, Fordham Prep, and Regis.