Spotlight on Your Funds
June 2022
Benefit Funds’ Launch of Healthy Living Initiative Targets Member Wellness
The 1199SEIU Benefit Funds are launching a “Healthy Living” initiative to provide 1199SEIU members with resources to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve health outcomes. The information will be aggregated in a microsite on the Benefit Funds website with dedicated sections focusing on doctor-patient relationships, cardiac health, fitness, nutrition, and mental and emotional wellness. Healthy Living will include expert-sourced overviews; easy-to-follow tips and attainable goals; video presentations by participating healthcare providers; interactive exercises, such as nutrition quizzes and a BMI calculator; information on Benefit Funds benefits, programs and services; and links to external resources.

In addition, the microsite will include information about the Benefit Funds’ partnerships with a number of participating institutions to promote primary- and preventive-care services such as vital cancer screenings and health coaching for members who access their care at these institutions. Healthy Living, which will launch later this month, will also be the focus of a special edition of the For Your Benefit member magazine’s summer issue to introduce the initiative to your 1199SEIU employees and members.
Benefit and Pension Funds' Boards of Trustees to Meet this Month
The 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds’ Boards of Trustees will hold their annual meeting Tuesday, June 21, through Thursday, June 23, to review the work of 2021. The meeting will be held both onsite at Funds Headquarters at 498 Seventh Avenue (masks are required indoors) and via Zoom for those who prefer to participate remotely. For more information, please contact Tess Tolentino at Tess.Tolentino@1199Funds.org.
The 1199SEIU Citizenship Program Marks 20 Years Honoring Its New U.S. Citizens
The 1199SEIU Citizenship Program held its 20th annual “Celebration of New Citizens” on Wednesday, May 18, via Zoom. More than 170 people attended the event honoring the 420 members and eligible dependents who became new U.S. citizens in 2021. In a prerecorded video, keynote speaker New York Senator Charles Schumer congratulated the citizens on their achievement. Donna Rey, Executive Director and CEO of the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds; Sandi Vito, Executive Director of the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds; June Blain-Joseph, Director of Member Programs; and Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, also welcomed the new citizens.

Three 1199SEIU members—Romain Mettellus, a Surgical Technician at Bronx Care; Prerna Mehta, a Certified Nursing Assistant at Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing; and Mansura F. Adebiyi, a Home Health Aide at Premier Home Healthcare Services—spoke at the celebration, sharing their personal journeys to becoming U.S. citizens.

Jointly administered by the Benefit and Pension Funds and the Training and Employment Funds, the 1199SEIU Citizenship Program helps members apply for U.S. citizenship by providing legal assistance to navigate the often-complex process, and educational services to prepare for the citizenship exam. Since its inception in 2001, the program has supported more than 13,000 1199SEIU members, their eligible dependents and non-members in becoming U.S. citizens. For more information about the Citizenship Program, please visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Citizenship-Program.
Child Care Fund Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
The 1199SEIU Child Care Fund (CCF) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1992, CCF has provided quality child care, youth programs and resources to nearly 300,000 1199SEIU families. From the Future of American Learning Center for children up to age 12, to day camps and sleep-away camps, college prep and career readiness programs such as WorkForce2000 and the Youth Mentoring Program, as well as undergraduate scholarship programs, CCF has consistently promoted the development of the physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills of members’ children and youth. You may read more about the 30th anniversary in the Child Care Fund’s Spring/Summer newsletter. In addition, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation's (CCC) annual Care For Kids Gala, which honors individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates a commitment to children and families, will be held on Tuesday, December 6, at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers. More information about the gala will be provided as the date approaches.
The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs
The 1199SEIU Greater New York Education Fund strengthens the healthcare delivery system by offering 1199SEIU members training and education programs designed to help improve patient outcomes and provide quality care. Please share these opportunities with employees and members at your facility.

The schedule is also available on the program calendar.

Thursday, June 16
5:45 pm to 9:00 pm
This three-hour seminar for pharmacists and nurses will focus on strategies for mitigating medication errors and the safe administration of medications in patients with eating disorders.

Thursday, June 23
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
This three-hour seminar for rehabilitation specialists will focus on the differences between in-person and online rehabilitation therapies, and the challenges of conducting physical rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, visit the Institute for Continuing Education’s web page, call (212) 894-4390 or email Institute@1199Funds.org.
Meet Our Featured Member

Malikah Weston counted on her health benefits to help her deal with anxiety during the pandemic—and survive a brain tumor.
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