Support Our Seniors Advocacy Organization Launched

Support Our Seniors Advocacy Organization Launched

Legislator Borgia Submits Close to 900 supporter signatures

(August 27, 2013) Last week, supporters of a new advocacy organization called Support Our Seniors filed petitions with the Westchester County Board of Legislators containing 875 signatures of registered voters in the 9th Legislative District designating incumbent County Legislator Catherine Borgia as the candidate on this new petition line. Candidates are able to create new lines on the ballot by submitting petitions containing the signatures of 5% of the number of registered voters who voted in the last gubernatorial election (2010) in the district. 

Support Our Seniors is an advocacy organization created to help create awareness in municipal and county government and local organizations about how to plan for the current and future needs of  Westchester’s growing population of people 65 years and older.  “We are very fortunate to have long life expectancy in Westchester, and a growing population of active seniors, including the largest number of persons 85 years and older in New York State living in Westchester,” said Catherine Borgia, “ This is very good news – people are able to have long and healthy lives in our county.  All of our planning decisions should be made with this population shift in mind.”

There are many organizations working to help Westchester residents age in place in their own homes and communities.  Most seniors indicate a preference for staying in the communities in which they have lived for many years and where their friends, doctors, houses of worship and favorite stores are located.  Aging in place, particularly when supported by a vibrant community that provides seniors and all residents ample opportunity to interact socially and recreationally, has been shown to increase quality of life for seniors and their caregivers and family members.  It also leads to better health outcomes, increase economic development in communities where seniors spend their disposable income, and reduced taxpayer costs for Medicare expenses. When intergenerational activities between seniors and children/adolescents are added into the mix, the societal and economic benefits increase even further.  Children who participate in intergenerational programs have increased school success and lower rates of drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior.  Senior who participate have improved mental and physical health and the satisfaction of contributing in a meaningful way to the younger generation.

“I’ve long been interested in ways to support our growing senior population from my decades of volunteer work and my work in various elected and government roles,” Borgia continued, While campaigning this year, I was struck by how many people related to the needs of our senior citizen population.  Support did not come only from seniors or near-seniors.  Almost everyone has a personal story about a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, family member who struggled to age in the way they wished.  I’m very excited to work with all levels of government and our community organizations to help plan for a healthy future for all Westchester.”

Next steps for the Support Our Seniors organization includes gathering and distributing information about all senior programs and services, educational forums on healthy aging, and continued advocacy.  “I hope many voters will condier supporting me on the Support Our Seniors line.  A good turnout at the ballot box is one of the most effective advocacy tools,” Borgia concluded.

For more information, please contact Catherine Borgia at Catherine.borgia@verizon.net or 914-262-8873 or

Omar Herrera at (914) 318-4392