Spotlight on Your Funds

June 2026

The 1199SEIU Citizenship Program Celebrates 25 Years of New U.S. Citizens

On May 28, the 1199SEIU Citizenship Program kicked off its 25th annual “Celebration of New Citizens” at the Family of Funds’ headquarters in Manhattan. Commemorating a quarter century of empowering immigrant healthcare workers, the program has assisted almost 15,000 members and their dependents in becoming U.S. citizens since its inception in 2001.  

Three new citizen members shared their stories—Michelle Rocio Rojas, an ambulatory care representative at Jamaica Hospital; Sharon Caton, a certified nursing assistant at Cobble Hill Health Center; and Vivienne Nugent White, a home health aide at Region Care Nursing Agency. “I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to the 1199SEIU Citizenship Program staff for all their help during my citizenship journey,” said Sharon. “Because of their support, I achieved one of the most important milestones in my life: I am now an American citizen!” 

Michelle, Sharon and Vivienne celebrated their achievement with other new citizens and their families—some dressed in cultural attire—concluding the evening with dinner, dancing and a photo booth experience to capture the moment. Click here for photos. 

Jointly administered by the Benefit and Pension Funds and the Training and Employment Funds, the 1199SEIU Citizenship Program guides members through the often-complex U.S. citizenship application process. Applicants can receive legal assistance, as well as educational services to prepare for the citizenship exam. For more information, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/citizenship. 

Benefit and Pension Funds' Boards of Trustees to Meet this Month

The Benefit and Pension Funds’ Boards of Trustees will hold their annual meetings on Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24, to review the Benefit and Pension Funds’ operations and key achievements, as well as discuss strategic directions for the future. Funds leadership will also update Trustees on the expanding Healthy Living initiatives, quality care and plan improvements, and the emerging importance of how adopting a healthy lifestyle can improve overall health. For more information, please contact Tess Tolentino at  Tess.Tolentino@1199Funds.org. 

Training and Employment Funds’ Higher Education Financial Assistance Intake Period Is Open Through June 30

The Training and Employment Funds’ Higher Education Tuition Assistance Program supports 1199SEIU members who are applying for financial assistance for the first time with free information sessions online via Zoom. Members will learn about changes in the healthcare industry and healthcare occupations that are in high demand, discuss the differences between vouchers and reimbursements, and review required documents and prerequisites to apply. Summer voucher and winter and spring reimbursement applications will be open through June 30. Members can visit MyTEF to register for the June sessions, listed below, and call (844) 833-1199 for more information.  

Child Care Corporation’s FALC Will Hold Fifth Annual Olympic/Field Day 

On June 5, the Future of America Learning Center (FALC)  will host its fifth annual Olympic/Field Day in the gymnasium of P.S. 246 Poe Center, FALC’s school partner. The preschool and pre-kindergarten-age students will walk from FALC headquarters in the Fordham section of the Bronx to the nearby event, escorted by police officers, families, teachers and staff. Wearing brightly colored clothing to represent their individual classrooms, the children—along with their parents and teachers—will participate in a relay race through an obstacle course lined with hula hoops, balance beams, mats, tunnels and streamers. 

FALC, which was established in 1993, provides children ages 2 to 5 with a nurturing and stimulating educational environment, as well as cultural, racial, ethnic and economic diversity that fosters cooperative experiences. For more information about FALC, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/falc. 

The Institute for Continuing Education Presents Upcoming Programs

The Training and Employment Funds’ Institute for Continuing Education 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 members at your institution or facility. (The full schedule is available on the program calendar.) 

Youth Mental Health: Risk Factors, Prevention and Support

Sunday, June 14

8:45 am to 4:30 pm

This interprofessional symposium will focus on identifying risk factors related to youth suicide, using therapy to manage psychosis, assessing and treating childhood anxiety, recognizing and managing somatic symptom disorder in youth, and understanding the effects of social media on adolescent mental health.  

Medication Safety and Error Prevention, Law, Compounding and Patient Care

Thursday, June 25

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

This seminar for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses will focus on advances in pharmacist prescribing, medication safety failures in diabetes and asthma, and clinical approaches to opioid safety in serious illnesses.

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

Check Out Our Podcast

Health Is the Key is dedicated to 1199SEIU members—healthcare workers who, all too often, put the health and well-being of others ahead of their own.

Meet Our Featured Member

Pedro Bosque from Sodexo

Why did Pedro Bosque begin his health journey?

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2026.

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