Resident urges council to improve outreach and grant use for Yonkers seniors

Judith Garen, a Yonkers resident, used the public‑comment period at the Jan. 14, 2025 City Council meeting to commend the council’s efforts to seek grant funding for senior services and to urge improved communication so older residents can access those services.

Garen, who identified her address as 745 Warburton Avenue, praised city efforts to secure grants for senior transportation and other services and said seniors often need help using online or automated systems. “Many seniors, myself included, I pay someone to do my typing, [we are] not up to snuff on that area and seniors need a lot of assistance,” she said.

She asked council members to be present in their districts and to actively inform older residents about available services, saying that lack of communication means many seniors do not take advantage of programs. Garen also urged caution around development so that neighborhood change does not disadvantage older residents. She closed by thanking council members and offering New Year’s wishes.

Why it matters: Garen’s remarks underscore a recurring local concern that older Yonkers residents face barriers to using web‑based systems and automated phone services and that proactive outreach is needed to connect them with transportation, information and assistance funded through county grants.

The council did not take formal action on the comment during the stated meeting; the remarks were recorded during the public‑comment portion of the agenda and will not by themselves change programs unless staff or council members later place follow‑up items on a future agenda.

Ending: The comment concluded the public‑comment portion of the Jan. 14 meeting; the council proceeded to adopt its full agenda and adjourn.