Spotlight on Your Funds

March 2023

Greater New York Benefit Fund Brings "Healthy Living" Health Fairs to the Worksite

As part of its Healthy Living initiative, the Greater New York Benefit Fund (GNYBF) is returning to the worksite with a broader approach to support members in their efforts to lead healthier lives. At key locations throughout the health systems, GNYBF health fairs are offering 1199SEIU members a snapshot of their overall health, making referrals to primary care physicians and signing members up for the GNYBF's new WeightWatchers® wellness benefit. GNYBF RNs and physicians check members' A1C levels, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), and provide them with their confidential results within 15 minutes. Members then receive referrals and, if appropriate, may be included in case management for follow-up. At a recent health fair with just over 100 attendees, 20 members were newly diagnosed with either prediabetes or diabetes, 80 members were found to have either a history of hypertension or elevated blood pressure readings, and 22 members signed up for WeightWatchers.


The GNYBF chose WeightWatchers as a new wellness benefit to help members eat healthier, exercise more, sleep better and be mindful in an all-in-one digital, virtual and in-person program that benefits people living with diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. For more information, members can visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww/.  

Greater New York Benefit Fund Free Tax Preparation Assistance Program Helps Members File for the EITC 

The Greater New York Benefit Fund’s (GNYBF) Tax Preparation Assistance Program has long helped 1199SEIU members file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by providing free tax preparation services. This year, the GNYBF is again partnering with the Food Bank For New York City and nonprofit educational program Ariva, so members can receive the full refund to which they are entitled. The program is available at locations in all five New York City boroughs, as well as in Westchester County, Long Island and New Jersey. For more information, please visit the Benefit Fund’s website.

Training and Employment Funds Offer Citizenship-Prep and English Language Courses

As part of the 1199SEIU Citizenship Program, jointly administered by the Training and Employment Funds (TEF) and the Benefit and Pension Funds, TEF offers applicants classes in English and U.S. history and government to help them pass the English comprehension and civics portions of the naturalization test. All classes take place remotely via Zoom and in-person based on demand. Since its inception in 2001, the program has supported nearly 14,000 1199SEIU members, their eligible dependents and non-members in becoming U.S. citizens. For more information, email [email protected] or call (646) 473-8915.


TEF’s English for Speakers of Other Languages Program helps participants improve their English language skills for their healthcare careers and academic studies. The program offers six levels of instruction, from beginner to advanced. All classes are conducted remotely via Zoom and in person based on demand. Registration takes place in July and August for the fall semester and in December and January for the spring semester. 1199SEIU members and their families, as well as a limited number of non-members, are eligible to enroll. For more information, email [email protected], or call (212) 284-9231 or (212) 284-9254.  

Child Care Fund to Hold 27th Annual Science Fair

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 1199SEIU Child Care Fund’s Future of America Learning Center (FALC) will hold its 27th annual science fair in person. The fair will take place from March 27 through April 1, and children’s families and their guests will be able to attend on April 1. The theme of this year’s fair is “How Do the Elements of Nature Affect Us?” with the preschool and kindergarten students exploring topics such as natural disasters and phenomena; technological inventions and advances; the impact of water, wind and fire on the environment; and the importance of space exploration. The event will feature presentations of the children’s research and projects, virtual displays, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) exhibits and hands-on experiments.


FALC is committed to providing children with nurturing, safe and stimulating educational environments, as well as cultural, racial, ethnic and economic diversity that foster cooperative experiences. For more information about FALC, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/FALC

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.


The Role of Nutrients in Developing a Healthy Immune System

Thursday, March 16

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm


This three-hour seminar in recognition of National Nutrition Month will focus on the physiology of the immune system, and the influence of food and nutrients on the immune system.


Dementia Care and Social Worker Practices

Thursday, March 30

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm


This three-hour seminar will focus on social workers’ understanding of dementia care and the best practices and strategies for improving the quality of care for patients and their families.


For more information, visit the Institute for Continuing Education’s web page, call (212) 894-4390 or email [email protected].

Special Healthy Living Edition

A special Healthy Living edition of For Your Benefit, the 1199SEIU members magazine, is now available to view online. 

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1199SEIU Funds News is a monthly email produced by the 1199SEIU Funds. Copyright 2023.

For further information, contact the Communications Office at [email protected].

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