Welcome Care honors home care workers

Welcome Care honors home care workers
I witnessed such a touching and inspiring event for the first time. At the Welcome Care health fair, they honored the wonderful home care workers—representatives of various communities—who have worked for the agency for over ten years, demonstrating exceptional compassion, warmth, patience, and genuine care for those in need.
Only Ari Kagan—a renowned community leader, talented organizer, and big-hearted person—could have organized such a solemn and truly heartfelt celebration for the staff of Welcome Care, a licensed home care agency. State Senator Steve Chen and State Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny came to congratulate the remarkable workers who dedicated their lives to caring for others. They presented the home care attendants with certificates of honor and expressed gratitude for their noble and dedicated work.
The festive atmosphere was enhanced by magnificent flower baskets and precious gifts presented to the touched and happy women by Zina Bubis. For over 23 years, this reputable agency has been successfully led by Svetlana Berlin and Semyon Skalt (phone: 718-232-4850). Welcome Care serves residents of all areas of New York City and Nassau County, providing high-quality services in several languages, making assistance accessible to the multicultural population of the world's capital.
Many of us dreamed of becoming astronauts, teachers, or doctors as children. However, life, especially in immigration, often brings its own challenges. Thousands of immigrants have found rewarding and secure work in home care. Thanks to this profession, they were able to buy their own homes, provide a stable future for their families, and help their children receive a good education.
Former New York City Council member and beloved journalist in the Russian-speaking community, Ari Kagan, who now serves as the Director of Public Relations and Press at Welcome Care, spoke eloquently and poignantly about the importance of home care workers. He emphasized that these individuals provide their residents with not only professional assistance but also attention, kindness, warmth, and a sense of security every day.
Ari Kagan doesn't limit himself to his office work. He personally visits the long-term residents served by the agency, meets with residents of the neighborhood, helps resolve complex issues, and is always ready to share his wealth of experience. He can often be found on the streets of Brooklyn, where anyone can approach him, ask a question, and receive expert advice.
On this day, I was especially pleased to recall how, in the early 2000s, Ari Kagan and other leaders of our community, we participated in rallies for higher wages for home care workers. Back then, the hourly wage was $5, but we achieved a raise to $10. Over the years, working conditions have improved significantly, and the profession itself has become more in demand, better paid, and respected.
The health fair itself was a useful, informative, and well-organized event. Visitors received free consultations from specialists, learned about modern home care programs, and learned about the latest developments in this important field.
Guests were able to meet with representatives of various MLTC (Managed Long-Term Care) programs, receive answers to their questions from Welcome Care staff, and consult with specialists from Fidelis, ElderServe, and Prime regarding available benefits and programs.
Consultations on healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition were particularly popular. South Brooklyn Health staff helped everyone get their blood pressure checked and received recommendations on weight management, chronic disease prevention, and maintaining an active longevity.
These health fairs provide people with the opportunity to experience genuine care, support, and attention, and to appreciate the importance of home care for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children with autism.
Marina Lagunova