The latest news from Astor Services

70 Years and Counting!

For more than 70 years, Astor Services has prided itself in ensuring that our clients and families can grow and thrive in their communities. If there is anything we’ve learned over the years, and by living through a pandemic, it’s that flexibility – being open to new ways of doing things we’ve always done – can help us emerge stronger on the other side of any challenge. Even at the New York State level, our leaders and partners are constantly finding new ways to deliver support to those who need it most.

As part of that systemic transformation that is bending towards more community-based behavioral health services, Astor is also moving in that direction, enhancing its community-based programming and educational services to best serve children, adults, and families with behavioral health challenges. Nimbly addressing those needs is at the heart of our mission and something we are committed to, no matter what changes in the world around us.

In the Hudson Valley, we continue to grow our award-winning Astor Learning Center and are welcoming more day students who can benefit from our specialized school and its superb care. We also continue to grow our successful home-based and outpatient programs. In the Bronx, our Bronx-based behavioral and care management services are expanding to provide evidence-based trauma recovery services and outcomes to help children, adults, and families for many years to come. Our focus remains on providing trauma-informed healing support to all in need, especially individuals from underserved communities and those at the highest risk.

We are hopeful for the next 70 years and the opportunity to find new ways to meet the community and the individuals and families we support where they are, whether in their homes, in day programs or in one of our outpatient centers. After all, our mission is always to make the people entrusted in our care happy, empowered, healthier parts of the community.

Thank you for your support and for being an integral part of our journey and evolution in providing quality services that offer help, healing, and hope to those who need it most.

Astor's Impact:

Astor Services Gears Up to Launch its First Ever Trauma Recovery Center in the Bronx

Astor Services recently had a “soft” launch of its Trauma Recovery Center, which provides much-needed therapeutic and support services to victims of trauma and violence. Astor Services was awarded a grant by the NYC Council to create a center and is one of just four organizations statewide selected for funding to do this work through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The Trauma Recovery Center will serve as a community hub to support victims of violent crime in the Bronx, with clear referral pathways from local hospitals, legal defense services, law enforcement, and other critical support providers.

The center will provide trauma-informed approaches and treatment using evidenced based models such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Both models have shown to be effective for high-risk clients of all ages with trauma exposure and will be offered to clients who have experienced interpersonal violence or community violence regardless of citizenship or income level.

The center allows for help to be provided based on need, not location, so services can be provided at an Astor location, in home, or in the community. Program staff consists of four trauma-trained clinicians, three trauma-informed case managers, one trauma-informed family advocate as well as a director, supervisor and a Nurse Practitioner. Services provided will include individual and family therapeutic treatment, case management services to increase family stability and build connections to community resources, as well as client advocacy with medical providers, public assistance agents, and court systems. Treatment will consist of collaboration between members of the multidisciplinary team that will synthesize intake and interval assessments to prioritize treatment objectives, modality, utilization of adjunctive medication management, and other resources. We look forward to sharing the impact of the Center when it officially launches to the general public in 2024.

Learn more about the Trauma Recovery Program.

Astor Services Debuts Rockland County’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program

Astor Services officially unveiled its newest Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – and first in Rockland County – with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its location at the BOCES Educational Resource Center campus, 131 N. Midland Ave., in Nyack, New York on August 31, 2023. The program, modeled after Astor Services’ existing PHP in Poughkeepsie, New York, is available to youth ages 11-18 who are facing challenges at home, at school, or in the community. This group therapy program helps youth learn to safely manage their emotions to prevent out-of-home placement to psychiatric hospitals and other residential treatment programs.

New York State Senator Bill Weber, New York State Assemblymember Kenneth Zebrowski and Dr. Susan Hoerter, Acting Commissioner of Rockland County Department of Mental Health all addressed the crowd. Also in attendance were Donna Chiapperino, deputy district director for Congressman Michael V Lawler, and Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann. Astor’s Chief Executive Officer Yvette Bairan was on hand to offer remarks and PHP Director Samantha Kroener cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the highly anticipated facility.

For more information or to access support, please contact (845) 405-4146 or visit https://bit.ly/RocklandPHP.

Astor in the Community

All in for Mental Health

Astor Services attended the Heart of Midtown: Go All In for Mental Health Street Festival in Kingston this month. The event featured mental health providers, artists, and musicians. The event was well attended by guests and other mental health providers.

The event was organized by Rewind Kingston. Thank you to Erica Petosa, Assistant Supervisor of Ulster County Clinics for tabling for Astor.

Suicide Awareness Walk

Astor Services was proud to participate in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk held at The Walkway Over the Hudson.

The community walks, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, give people the courage to open up about their own connections to the cause, and a platform to create a culture that’s smarter about mental health.

Spirit of Beacon Day

Astor's Beacon Head Start employees and clients walked in the Spirit of Beacon Day Parade.

The day's festivities included music, food, community vendors, and a parade.

Donor Spotlight

Astor Partners with Jack and Jill of America

Astor is proud to continue its partnership with the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter (MHVC) of Jack and Jill of America Inc. (JJOA), an organization of mothers dedicated to raising the next generation of African American leaders. The Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter (MHVC) of Jack and Jill serves the Hudson Valley communities of northern Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties. The members of MHVC are committed to the JJOA mission of strengthening children through diverse programs focused on leadership development, cultural exposure, community service, legislative advocacy, and philanthropic giving. Since 1992, MHVC has been united in the desire to serve all children and nurture tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, thinkers, and creators.

Philanthropy is at the core of their work, and one of their primary objectives is to teach their children the importance of community service. Programming, especially their service programming, is at the heart of their mission, it supports children’s development, brings them closer together as a village, and supports their charge to be of service to the community. Toward that end, their Chapter Program Director and Community Service Committee Co-Chair Jennifer Joly, encourages their chapter’s continued partnership with Astor Services. Their goal in this partnership is to teach the importance of philanthropy, community activism, leadership, and to grow the children’s hearts for service; in addition, they are blessed by the opportunity to serve and support children and families in our community.

For additional information, please contact: Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter President Dawanna Veneable at [email protected] or (917) 363-2505.

Ways to Give to Astor

Ways you can support the work of Astor Services

In addition to financial donations, below are some vehicles you can use to support the important work we do at Astor:

Donate appreciated securities to avoid paying capital gains and to benefit from a tax deduction

Name Astor as a partial or full beneficiary on existing or new life insurance policies or annuity

Make a gift from your IRA or Qualified Retirement Plan

Naming Astor Services in your Will as a Bequest

Charitable Vehicles:

Direct Cash Donation
Donor Advised Fund
Charitable Lead Trust
Charitable Remainder Trust
Private Charitable Foundation

For more information, please contact Yvette Bairan.

Hannaford Community Bags

You can support Astor while you shop at Hannaford. Just purchase a $2.50 Community Bag anytime at any Hannaford location and follow the instructions on the tag to select Astor as the beneficiary. Astor receives a $1 donation with every community Bag purchased.

Learn more here.

Rite Aid's KidCents

You can support Astor by participating in Rite Aid's KidCents Program. Rite Aid Reward members can round up every purchase to the nearest dollar, giving kids in need a chance for better lives and brighter futures.

To sign up with KidCents, visit www.riteaidhealthyfutures.org/kidcents and select Astor Services as your charity of choice.

Stop & Shop's Community Bag Program

You can give $1 back to Astor by simply making a $2.50 Community Bag purchase. Purchase the bag at any Stop & Shop location, follow the directions on the tag, and select Astor as your charity of choice. It's that easy.

Learn more here.

Social Media Update

Check out our new Facebook page!

We are excited to announce our new Facebook page

www.facebook.com/AstorServicesNY

Follow our page for the latest news, events, and program updates from Astor.

Astor's Event Recap

Astor’s 9 & Dine Golf Event

Astor Services hosted its first ever 9 & Dine Golf Scramble on Thursday, May 11th at the beautiful Pelham Split Rock Golf Club to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month as well as raise funds and awareness about our various programs and services.

We were joined by Astor Bronx Program Leaders, members of our Young Professionals Board, friends and donors of Astor as well a NYS Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo that not only attended but also played the course with some of our Bronx staff.

24th Annual Stenberg Tournament

We had beautiful weather for our 24th Annual Stenberg Golf Tournament held on June 29 at The Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY. Astor's golf foursome consisted of Trish Luchnick, Matt Reid, Nancy Santiago, and Rogelio Espinal. McCabe and Mack, LLP won first place.

Upcoming Events

Adopt-A-Family Program

During the holiday season, many of the families we serve are unable to provide basic needs for their child, much less fulfill their child’s holiday wish list. For more than 30 years, Astor's Adopt-A-Family program has provided comfort and support to these families during the holiday season and beyond.

Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and organizations we hope to provide gift cards to over 2,100 children in the Hudson Valley and the Bronx. Gift cards empowers parents to purchase items from their child’s wish list and helped bring a little magic to the holidays.

“To see the joy on my child’s face when they unwrapped the gift they were hoping for is priceless.” – Astor Parent

If you would like to ensure a child receives a gift this holiday season, please visit www.astorservices.org/adopt-a-family/.

Jingle and Mingle with Astor this holiday!

You're Invited to Astor's Holiday Party on Thursday, December 14! Ring in the holiday season with Astor, dinner, dancing & drinks at Revel 32, 32 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie NY 12601. Proceeds support Astor's Adopt-A-Family Program.

Tickets $100 per person includes dinner, beer, wine & soda. Tickets available here.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available.

Upcoming Events

Thank you for your support!

Your support is critical to the work we do in providing mental/behavioral health and educational services to our Hudson Valley and Bronx communities. Visit www.astorservices.org to learn more how you can partner with us.