BAY RIDGE — The first Summer Volunteer Fair took place the morning of July 15 in one of Brooklyn’s largest NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities).
It was hosted by the Bay Ridge Center (BRC), a 21,000-square-foot facility that offers a wide range of innovative free services that address older adults’ biological, psychological, social, and cultural needs.
Described as a mutual marketing event by Amed Alfariji, BRC’s director of outreach and strategic planning, it showcased the center in addition to 15 agencies looking to make their presence felt.
They included the American Red Cross of Greater New York, AmeriCorps Seniors, Animal Care Centers of New York, Brooklyn Public Library (Services For Older Adults), Brooklyn VA Hospital, The Campaign Against Hunger, EZ Ridge Pharmacy, The Healing Center, Healthix, NYPD (68th Precinct), New York Statewide Senior Action Council, NYU Langone, READ 718, Reading Partners and the USO.
The fair had about 100 participants.
A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission
“I absolutely love working with seniors, and I really care immensely about our mission,” Alfariji explained. “I truly enjoy what I’m doing.
“This fair was about showing these vendors the Center, demonstrating what it is that we do for the older adult community and getting a taste of what they can do for us and our members,” he added.
