Leading The Way In Aging Services: Introducing The New Carter Burden Network

After more than 40 years leading the way in aging services in New York City, The Carter Burden Center for the Aging today unveiled its new name and brand: the Carter Burden Network (CBN). The new identity reflects the breadth and depth of the organization and its growth from a single center to a network of programs and locations in Manhattan that serves more than 5,000 older New Yorkers every year.

CBN’s broad array of programs and services nourish the mind, body and spirit providing important opportunities for seniors to form connections that enrich their lives while also offering vital resources that support independence. From Tai Chi, art and music programs, to workshops on caregiving and health and wellness, and from sewing classes and field trips to critical social services and life-sustaining meal programs, CBN is committed to empowering and inspiring seniors to live healthy, creative and vibrant lives.

CBN Board Chair, Jeffrey A. Weber, said, “The Carter Burden Network has served New York City’s seniors with distinction for more than 40 years – encouraging individuality, celebrating culture and ensuring that the voices of our older adults are heard. And, while our name has changed, our mission remains firmly rooted in our commitment to creating a loving community that addresses the physical, emotional and economic issues unique to aging in New York City.”

William J. Dionne, Executive Director of CBN, said, “Even in this city of 8 million people, it’s easy for seniors to feel invisible, vulnerable and isolated. At the Carter Burden Network, we fight these challenges with love and belonging through our quality programs and services. Aging in New York City can be a challenge. Feeling loved and inspired should never be. To all our seniors, friends, partners and supporters: the Carter Burden Network is your home. This is your network and our promise to you is: We will always go above. You will always belong.”

The Carter Burden Center for the Aging was established by New York City Council Member Carter Burden in 1971. Burden, who represented the Upper East Side of Manhattan, founded the Center to assist the neighborhood's large number of elderly residents who were poor, in declining health and isolated. Today, CBN is an agency with 13 programs in eight locations and more than 80 employees, serving 5,000 NYC seniors every year across the borough of Manhattan.

Among the Carter Burden Network’s signature programs are:
The Carter Burden /Leonard Covello Senior Program, located in East Harlem: An Innovation Senior Program whose offerings include socialization, recreation, nutritional, and educational activities for any NYC individual over the age of 60.
The Carter Burden Luncheon Club & Senior Program, located on the Upper East Side: provides a variety of activities for senior citizens including the daily delivery of meals to homebound seniors.

The Carter Burden Lehman Village Senior Program, a satellite of the Leonard Covello Program: provides many of the same resources as the Covello Program.
The Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center, CBN’s newest program: offers social, educational, nutritional and cultural services.
The Carter Burden Metro East 99th Street Adult Day Program: supports adults who are transitioning into successful independent living by providing programs and services to increase confidence and in collaboration with health care professionals and community-based organizations.
The Carter Burden C.V. Starr Adult Day Program: provides an innovative social model day program with a full day of therapeutic and recreational programming for older adults experiencing memory impairment or who are physically frail.
The Carter Burden Gallery (CBG), located in Chelsea: designed to give a voice to New York City’s re-emerging older professional artists, CBG celebrates this community's unique ability to share lifetimes participating as vital members of New York's arts culture, and works to create opportunities for networking and responding to each other's work.

Fundamental to its role as a leader in aging services, CBN’s social services connects older New Yorkers to critical resources. CBN’s Case Management and Social Service Units help with issues that include government benefits, landlord/tenant disputes, transitional healthcare and much more. CBN also offers a Community Elder Mistreatment and Abuse Prevention Program that combats the growing problem of elder abuse throughout Manhattan, as well as a Caregiver Resource Program that includes assessments, short-term counseling, memory screenings, information and referrals, educational workshops, caregiver respite and support groups.

Mr. Dionne thanked Starfish for creating the new brand and BBMG for bringing the brand to life.