Encore Community Services

Older adults need to eat every day—our system should reflect that.

But right now, in practice, meals are only funded by the city Monday through Friday. Weekend meals are underfunded and covered by a patchwork of private charity to fill the gap. At Encore Community Services, we produce and deliver thousands of meals each week – even with a gap, because we think older New Yorkers deserve to eat every day.

Right now, human service organizations like Encore are being asked to stretch limited resources to meet a basic need that should be guaranteed.

There is a path forward. We have legislation Intro 280, now currently in front of the city council. Intro 280 would require New York City to guarantee home-delivered meals 365 days a year—ensuring older adults receive the nutrition they need every day of the week.

When nonprofits have to use philanthropic support just to cover weekends, those dollars can’t do what they’re meant to do:

➡️ Expand capacity
➡️ Deliver more meals
➡️ Reach more older adults and clear waitlists

We don’t need short-term fixes—we need structural reform.

Intro 280 is an opportunity to get this right. A $30 million investment through NYC Aging would ensure 365-day meal coverage and:

✅ Establish a true 7-day baseline
✅ Strengthen the care economy with jobs and wages
✅ Support frontline staff who make this work possible

We’re grateful to Councilmember Linda Lee for her leadership in advancing this effort.

Let’s pass Intro 280, fully fund it, and ensure organizations on the ground have the resources to provide the dignity, stability, and nourishment every New Yorker deserves—365 days a year.

NYC Department for the Aging Council Member Linda Lee Human Services Council of New York - HSC Catholic Charities of New York New York City Council

Happy Juneteenth!

Today we honor freedom, resilience, and the enduring strength of community.

At Encore, this day is a powerful reminder of why we do our work: ensuring that every older New Yorker—regardless of background—can live with dignity, connection, and the support they deserve.

From meals and housing to social connection and care, we are committed to helping our neighbors thrive—not just survive.

As we reflect on the past, we also recommit to building a more equitable future—one where no one is isolated, hungry, or forgotten.

🎨💜 What is caregiving?

For our talented Encore artists, the answer came through paint, pencil, color, and imagination.

This year, several of our members submitted artwork to The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Justice’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2026 Art Contest, exploring the theme: “What is Caregiving?”

We are thrilled to congratulate our members:
🏆 Juan Lopetegui – 1st Place
🥉 Raymonde Zaccour – 3rd Place

We also celebrate the creativity and meaningful contributions of Martha Chavez, Patcharee Musso, Nancy Moore Simpson, and Corina Basualdo, who proudly represented Encore through their artwork.

Thank you to all of our artists for using their voices and talents to raise awareness, inspire compassion, and remind us of the importance of caring for one another.

🎉 Test your knowledge. Honor history.

Join us for Juneteenth Trivia! 🖤❤️💛💚

🗓 Two chances to play & celebrate:

👉 Monday, June 15 at 1PM
📍 Aging Through Arts Center, 239 W 49th Street

👉 Thursday, June 18 at 1PM, in partnership with New York Public Library
📍 Lifelong Learning Center, 755 10th Avenue

Come ready for: ✨ Special prizes

🎁 Gift cards & giveaways
🍵 Hibiscus tea & tasty treats
📚 Books, tumblers & more

We’re bringing history, culture, and community together.

Bring a friend and join the fun—because learning our history is always worth celebrating.

For six years, Alveny has shown up for older New Yorkers every day.

One knock on a door became a life-saving moment, and a powerful reminder of the impact a caring presence can have.

Swipe to read her story. ❤️

Click on our bio to support and make a difference.

🎤✨ Talent is Timeless! ✨🎤

Join Encore Community Services for an afternoon celebrating creativity, courage, and incredible talent at our Talent Is Timeless showcase!

📅 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ 2:00 – 3:00 PM
📍 Aging Through Art Center 239 W 49th Street, NYC Department for the Aging
Whether you sing, dance, perform, or cheer from the audience—this is your time to shine or support others as they do! 🌟

🎁 Prizes:

🥇 1st Place – $600 Gift Card
🥈 2nd Place – $250 Gift Card
🥉 3rd Place – $100 Gift Card

Come out, show your talents, and celebrate the power of creativity at every stage of life. 💛

📞 Questions? Call (212) 581-2910

We were proud to welcome NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott‑McKenzie to Encore today and are grateful for her time and leadership.

During her visit, Dr. Scott‑McKenzie underscored a bold and necessary vision for our city: building an age‑inclusive New York where older adults can live independently, afford to remain in their communities, stay connected, and receive the care and support they need—with dignity.

Her agenda reflects a comprehensive approach—advancing solutions across housing, affordability, health, caregiving, and social connection—and recognizes that lasting impact depends on strong partnerships between government, community organizations, and philanthropy.

At Encore, we see every day how these investments translate into real outcomes for older New Yorkers. We look forward to continuing to work alongside NYC Aging and our partners to scale solutions that ensure every older adult can thrive.







Jeremy L Kaplan