1199SEIU Funds

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  • Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program Celebrates 40 Years with Farm & Wilderness Camps

    Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program Celebrates 40 Years with Farm & Wilderness Camps

    The Anne Shore Sleep-Away Camp Program Celebrates 40 Years with Farm & Wilderness Camps

    Through our camp programs, the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation (CCC) has formed many lasting bonds with like-minded organizations that are committed to supporting the education and development of children of 1199SEIU members, through memorable experiences. In the fall of 2018, the CCC celebrated 40 years of collaboration with one of them; the Farm & Wilderness Camps (F&W) in Vermont. At the event, held at Funds Headquarters, alumni and parents of former campers shared personal stories about the impact of their camp experiences. Blake Stewart, an F&W Trustee and parent of two alumni, talked about the positive impact of the camp on his family and expressed “the joy felt in having my two ‘families’ brought together at this event.” CCC Vice President Rossmery Dais and F&W Executive Director Rebecca Geart spoke about the importance of camp and their excitement in seeing this special relationship continue to grow.

    F&W camps approach educational exploration and personal development in natural settings that are virtually technology- and electricity-free. Participants escape city life and are immersed in activities such as organic farming, and collaborative arts and music experiences. The true impact of a program is often seen only in hindsight, and staff and participants of the past and present were gratified to reflect on their experiences and see how they all fit into the history of this enduring collaboration.

  • FALC Silver Anniversary: Investing in Our Future, One Child at a Time

    FALC Silver Anniversary: Investing in Our Future, One Child at a Time

    FALC Silver Anniversary: Investing in Our Future, One Child at a Time

    This year, the Child Care Corporation is celebrating 25 years of the Future of America Learning Center (FALC). Since the day it opened on October 3, 1993, FALC has provided nearly 9,000 children of 1199SEIU members and the community with the opportunity to build and enhance their physical, emotional, cognitive and cultural growth. Our program serves children ages 18 months to 5 years, culminating in a Universal Pre-K ceremony each year. This summer, we celebrated 46 students graduating from the program. The ceremony was complete with song and dance performances, well wishes from instructors and heartfelt testimonials from parents about FALC’s nurturing environment.

    FALC also holds other events throughout the year, including an annual Father’s Day breakfast, community outreach activities and educational field trips to museums around New York City. The annual FALC Science Fair is an exciting opportunity for students to take part in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) projects. Students are able to learn the value of science while expressing their creativity among peers, teachers and family.

  • Don’t Let Stress Put You at Risk for Hypertension

    Don’t Let Stress Put You at Risk for Hypertension

    Banner image for Ochsner

    Don’t Let Stress Put You at Risk for Hypertension

    Stress is part of everyday life, but the way you handle it—or don’t—can put your health at risk. Many reactions to stress, such as poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle, can raise your risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure). Of course, creating a plan to lower your stress level can help you avoid hypertension altogether, or better manage it if you already have the condition.

    Know Your Risk

    Hypertension often does not have symptoms, which means you may not know you have the condition until you are screened by a doctor. You should have your blood pressure measured at least once a year, especially if you have any of the following risk factors:

    • Family history of hypertension
    • Excess weight
    • Smoking
    • Lack of exercise
    • Type 2 diabetes

    Hypertension is Hazardous to Your Health

    If left unchecked, hypertension can lead to a number of serious—sometimes life-threatening—conditions, such as:

    • Stroke
    • Heart failure
    • Kidney disease
    • Vision impairment
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Bone loss

    News You Can Use

    Stress Tied to Heart Disease, Especially in People Under Age 50

    Stress may increase the risk for heart disease, especially in people under age 50. A recent study in The BMJ found that a person with a stress disorder was 29 percent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than his or her sibling without a stress disorder, and 37 percent more likely than those in the general population.

    Veggies, Fruits and Grains Keep Your Heart Pumping

    Using health data from some 16,000 people, a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found those who ate plant-based diets reduced their chance of developing heart failure by 41 percent. Those who ate diets high in meat, fried and processed foods had a 72 percent increased risk of heart failure.

    Exercise Is Key to Maintaining Weight Loss

    People who have lost weight and want to keep it off need regular physical activity, according to a study in Obesity. Three groups of people were analyzed: those who lost 30 pounds or more and kept it off for more than a year; those who were of normal weight; and those who were overweight or obese. The study found that the people who had lost weight and kept it off walked about 12,000 steps per day; normal-weight adults registered about 9,000 steps per day; and those who were overweight or obese walked about 6,500 steps per day.

  • Take Advantage of Online Workshops

    Take Advantage of Online Workshops

    Your Training and Upgrading Fund recently introduced free workshops on how to take advantage of online learning courses.

    If you are considering enrolling in a college or a graduate program through one of our Tuition Assistance programs, or even if you’re already enrolled, these workshops can help you understand the benefits of online courses, which offer more flexibility to balance your work and family commitments with your educational and career goals. Topics include accessing undergraduate and graduate degree programs, exploring potential growth careers and managing the work-life-school balance. And because the courses are available online, you can take them whenever you’d like.

    Topics include accessing undergraduate and graduate degree programs, exploring potential growth careers and managing the work-life-school balance.

    COVID-19 Training for Nursing Home Workers

    PROTECTING NURSING HOME WORKERS AND RESIDENTS FROM COVID-19

    This self-paced online course is for frontline nursing home workers who want more training and information on managing COVID-19 in nursing home facilities. Key topics are divided into four separate modules covering COVID-19 basics; infection control, universal precautions and use of PPEs; self-care and mental health; and assisting residents with hygiene and daily activities, as well as engaging in other activities while social distancing. Each module will take learners about one hour to complete. Modules will include real-world scenarios to help learners check their understanding of how to apply key concepts from the course.
    Read More

    PROTECCIÓN DE TRABAJADORES Y RESIDENTES DE HOGARES DE ANCIANOS CONTRA EL COVID-19 CAPACITACIÓN DE H-CAP

    Este curso en línea autoguiado está destinado a los trabajadores esenciales de hogares de ancianos que desean obtener más capacitación e información sobre el manejo del COVID-19 en hogares de ancianos. Los temas clave se dividen en 4 módulos distintos que abarcan: aspectos básicos del COVID-19; control de contagios, precauciones universales y uso de EPP; cuidado personal y salud mental; asistencia a los residentes con la higiene y las actividades diarias y participación en otras actividades sin dejar de respetar el distanciamiento social. Para completar cada módulo, los participantes del curso necesitarán aproximadamente una hora. Los módulos incluirán situaciones de la vida real para ayudar a los participantes a comprobar su comprensión de cómo aplicar conceptos clave del curso.
    Leer más

  • Wanda Santiago: Member Profile

    Wanda Santiago: Member Profile

    Wanda Santiago

    After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, Wanda Santiago has lost more than 30 pounds through healthier eating and exercise habits, which is helping keep her condition under control.

    Wanda Santiago, a Registrar at Northwell Health’s New Hyde Park campus, went to see her primary care doctor last spring with concerns about her weight—and her health. She had put on nearly 60 pounds over the course of a few years, and felt tired and sluggish almost all the time. “My energy level had always been high, so I was worried,” she said. “I knew something wasn’t right.”

    Wanda’s fears were confirmed when her doctor told her that she had Type 2 diabetes and prescribed Metformin (a diabetes drug that helps regulate blood sugar levels). Type 2 diabetes put Wanda at risk for a number of conditions, including heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease and cataracts, but her doctor told her she could lower her risk if she took her medication and made some lifestyle changes. “I was relieved to know that there was a lot I could do to bring the diabetes under control,” she said. “But I was scared as well, because I knew that change can be hard.”

    It’s been quite a year, but I wouldn’t have known where to begin, or why it was so important, without my health benefits. Living a healthier life has been worth every bit of effort. I’m full of energy and feel like my old self again!

    Wanda Santiago

    Registrar

    Northwell Health’s New Hyde Park

    Wanda immediately stopped drinking sugary soda and was soon drinking as many as eight glasses of water a day. She also cut fast foods, except on very rare occasions. “We used to eat a lot of takeout,” she said. “But not anymore!” She and her husband, Oscar Lopez, now enjoy homemade meals, with salads, baked chicken, and fresh fruits and vegetables among their favorites.

    Following her doctor’s recommendation, Wanda began walking regularly, and it didn’t take long before she had established a healthy routine. She walks for at least 30 minutes in the morning and then goes out again at lunchtime when the weather is nice, using an exercise tracker to track her progress. “I hit 10,000 steps every day,” she said proudly.

    Wanda knew that her healthier habits were making a difference when she lost 10 pounds in less than six months. When she went to a Benefit Fund health fair at Northwell a few months later, she learned she had lost 20 pounds. Motivated by her progress, she has since lost another 11 pounds, putting her more than halfway to her goal weight of 140 pounds. Her blood sugar levels are back within a healthy range, and if she sticks with her healthy lifestyle, she may no longer need medication—another one of her goals. “It’s been quite a year, but I wouldn’t have known where to begin, or why it was so important, without my health benefits,” she said. “Living a healthier life has been worth every bit of effort. I’m full of energy and feel like my old self again!”

    For Your Benefit Magazine

  • Healthy Finances: Saving Strategies Part Two

    Healthy Finances: Saving Strategies Part Two

    Healthy Finances

    • How Credit Works

      Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm

      Utilizing credit, credit reporting, credit scores and credit impact. Understand credit and learn how lenders determine your credit worthiness and more in this webinar.

    • Keeping It Safe

      Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and financial abuse, emergency financial preparedness, types of insurance and laws that can protect you from financial disaster in this webinar.

    • Banking Basics

      Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Banking Basics teaches you how to open accounts, make deposits and withdrawals, monitor fees, maintain balances, conduct transactions remotely safely, and more.

    • Understanding Your Paycheck

      Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, social security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    Other Healthy Finances Courses

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Saving Strategies Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Saving Strategies Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Give Me Some Credit

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Growing Your Money

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

  • Healthy Finances: Give Me Some Credit

    Healthy Finances: Give Me Some Credit

    Healthy Finances

    • How Credit Works

      Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm

      Utilizing credit, credit reporting, credit scores and credit impact. Understand credit and learn how lenders determine your credit worthiness and more in this webinar.

    • Keeping It Safe

      Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and financial abuse, emergency financial preparedness, types of insurance and laws that can protect you from financial disaster in this webinar.

    • Banking Basics

      Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Banking Basics teaches you how to open accounts, make deposits and withdrawals, monitor fees, maintain balances, conduct transactions remotely safely, and more.

    • Understanding Your Paycheck

      Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, social security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    Other Healthy Finances Courses

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Saving Strategies Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Saving Strategies Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Give Me Some Credit

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Growing Your Money

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

  • Healthy Finances: Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Healthy Finances: Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Healthy Finances

    • How Credit Works

      Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm

      Utilizing credit, credit reporting, credit scores and credit impact. Understand credit and learn how lenders determine your credit worthiness and more in this webinar.

    • Keeping It Safe

      Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and financial abuse, emergency financial preparedness, types of insurance and laws that can protect you from financial disaster in this webinar.

    • Banking Basics

      Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Banking Basics teaches you how to open accounts, make deposits and withdrawals, monitor fees, maintain balances, conduct transactions remotely safely, and more.

    • Understanding Your Paycheck

      Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, social security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    Other Healthy Finances Courses

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Saving Strategies Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Saving Strategies Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Give Me Some Credit

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Growing Your Money

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

  • Healthy Finances: Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Healthy Finances: Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Healthy Finances

    • How Credit Works

      Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm

      Utilizing credit, credit reporting, credit scores and credit impact. Understand credit and learn how lenders determine your credit worthiness and more in this webinar.

    • Keeping It Safe

      Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and financial abuse, emergency financial preparedness, types of insurance and laws that can protect you from financial disaster in this webinar.

    • Banking Basics

      Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Banking Basics teaches you how to open accounts, make deposits and withdrawals, monitor fees, maintain balances, conduct transactions remotely safely, and more.

    • Understanding Your Paycheck

      Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, social security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    Other Healthy Finances Courses

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Saving Strategies Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Saving Strategies Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Give Me Some Credit

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Growing Your Money

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

  • Healthy Finances: Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Healthy Finances: Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Healthy Finances

    • How Credit Works

      Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm

      Utilizing credit, credit reporting, credit scores and credit impact. Understand credit and learn how lenders determine your credit worthiness and more in this webinar.

    • Keeping It Safe

      Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and financial abuse, emergency financial preparedness, types of insurance and laws that can protect you from financial disaster in this webinar.

    • Banking Basics

      Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      Banking Basics teaches you how to open accounts, make deposits and withdrawals, monitor fees, maintain balances, conduct transactions remotely safely, and more.

    • Understanding Your Paycheck

      Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm

      In this webinar, you’ll learn about payroll and tax deductions, social security, Medicare, FICA and more.

    Other Healthy Finances Courses

    Understanding Your Paycheck

    Saving Strategies Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Saving Strategies Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Give Me Some Credit

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Recovering from Financial Hardship: It’s Not Over!

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part One

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Working Toward Retirement, Part Two

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm

    Growing Your Money

    Next Live Video:
    Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm