LSHV receives $50,000 grant from the Field Hall Foundation

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) – the only provider of comprehensive civil legal services to those that cannot afford an attorney in the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley – is proud to announce that it is a recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Field Hall Foundation in its inaugural grant cycle. The grant is in support of LSHV’s services for seniors in Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam counties, particularly those who are victims of elder abuse.

Seniors often are among the most vulnerable members of our communities. Many seniors are subjected to abuse by those that care for them, often by their own family members. Abuse can be inflicted through financial, emotional, psychological, and/or physical tactics. Because they live on fixed incomes, any change to their living situations can push them from subsistence into poverty. When a legal matter develops, poor and low-income seniors don’t have the resources to pay an attorney to represent their side of the case. Without legal representation, a senior who suffers from abuse is unable to escape the abuser and stabilize their life.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s Elder Law Unit steps in to advocate on behalf of these vulnerable seniors in legal matters where their basic human needs are at stake. Our Elder Law Unit staff provide representation, advice and counsel, and referral to those who are at risk of losing access to basic needs, including matters related to Elder abuse, housing, Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, permanency planning, consumer issues, long term care, nursing home care, and home care. Our Elder Law Unit aims to secure the safety, income, housing, and medical needs of these older adults so that they can age in security and stability. By ensuring that their basic needs are being met, we can help them move from poverty into economic stability.

Speaking of the grant, LSHV’s CEO, Barbara Finkelstein, said, “Thanks to this support from the Field Hall Foundation, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley is able to assist more vulnerable seniors who have experienced elder abuse. We are excited for the potential of this new partnership and look forward to working with the Foundation to improve the lives of seniors throughout the Hudson Valley.”

The Field Hall Foundation was incorporated in 1986 to assist Field Home – Holy Comforter, a not-for-profit nursing home, and Catherine Field Home, a home for older women, in providing high-quality caring services to its residents and patients. In 2018, Fieldhome was sold to a for-profit organization, with the assets from the sale invested in the Foundation. The Foundation’s aim is to provide grants that will improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers in Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, NY. For more information, visit http://fdnweb.org/fieldhall/.

“Fieldhome’s transition from a healthcare provider to a grant giving foundation allows us to
honor our 140-year-old mission by supporting and advancing programs that directly impact our
seniors on a daily basis,” states the Foundation’s CEO, John R. Ahearn. “As one of the few
private funders of elder services, the Foundation’s Board recognizes the unique role it has and
excited to work in partnership with the community to improve lives.”

LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes urgent legal needs such as: domestic violence (orders of protection, child custody, etc.), housing emergencies (eviction and foreclosure prevention), healthcare, children's law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. Founded more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), maintaining a staff of 145 individuals – including 90 attorneys and 30 paralegals – working across ten offices throughout its service area. For more information, visit www.lshv.org.

Photo (L-R): John R. Ahearn, CEO of Field Hall Foundation; LSHV's Chief Program Officer, Rachel Halperin, Chief Development Officer, Tom Gabriel; and Joanne Sirotkin, Attorney in Charge of LSHV's White Plains Office.