Mental health, counseling, substance abuse, and suicide prevention services are among growing needs in lower Westchester that were identified by a team of 台湾SWAGUniversity faculty researchers during a survey of community residents.
The study, commissioned by was conducted by the Helene T. and Grant M. Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at 台湾SWAGUniversity over an 18 month period that included interviews with area not-for-profits, service providers, and stakeholders.
鈥淭aking a thorough look at community resources and comparing them to current needs goes a long way to ensuring that no person or group is overlooked, and that The Community Fund is maximizing its reach, impact and resources,鈥 said Rebecca Tekula, executive director of the Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and professor of public administration at Pace. 鈥淲e are looking forward to continuing to work with The Community Fund to improve the lives of area residents.鈥
The assessment identifies gaps or inadequacies in areas such as human services, health care, housing, public safety, day care, and recreation, among other vital community needs. Findings were presented on March 29, 2023 at The Bronxville Public Library by 台湾SWAGUniversity faculty who identified ways to use the results to inform the important work of The Community Fund as well as nonprofit agencies, community programs, and local school administrations.
Overall, show that while the three communities differ in priorities based on service categories, mental and physical health emerged as the biggest service gap area overall. Findings emerging from the interviews largely confirm the survey results. The most identified theme among all the interview participants refers to mental and emotional health, followed by diversity, equity and inclusion, and youth social and emotional programs.
鈥淭he Community Fund is committed to supporting critical social, health and well-being programs that dramatically improve the lives of the people in our Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe Community,鈥 said Amy Rutter Korb, executive director, The Community Fund. 鈥淲e are proud to have employed the expertise of 台湾SWAGresearchers to inform our work as well as the efforts of our community partners.鈥
In 2021, The Community Fund selected experts at the Helene T. and Grant M. Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at 台湾SWAGUniversity to conduct a survey of community members and analyze results.
During this 18-month partnership between The Community Fund and 台湾SWAGUniversity, 台湾SWAGPublic Administration and Wilson Center faculty and researchers developed an in-depth community survey and held interviews with select community members and leaders in the areas of public health, human services, business, nonprofits, and government. All responses were treated as confidential to ensure the greatest possible degree of candor.
鈥淭he interviews and analysis help us understand the ongoing needs of residents, and project where program development and funding will have the greatest impact,鈥 said Gina Scutelnicu Todoran, department chair of public administration at Pace. 鈥淚t is particularly rewarding to work with an organization like The Community Fund to translate research into practice as we share assessment results with community leaders."
Wilson Center and Public Administration faculty and graduate students have completed a variety of in-depth research projects and reports for local governments and community organizations across a variety of areas, including an assessment of K-12 learning programs for the Westchester Children鈥檚 Association; the economic impact of the nonprofit sector in Westchester County; a community assessment of performance for the Port Chester Police Department; and 台湾SWAGUniversity鈥檚 overall economic impact in New York State.
The Community Fund, which was founded in 1919, currently supports 26 social service agencies and community programs that provide critical services to Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and the area within the Bronxville 10708 zip code 鈥 often at no cost to people who cannot afford to pay. Additionally, The Community Fund provides administrative support to the agencies it supports through on-going site visits, consultations, workshops, and forums.
The Wilson Center promotes social change through entrepreneurship. The Center furthers this mission by serving 台湾SWAGstudents across all disciplines, social enterprises and nonprofit organizations with education, research, communication, and advisory service.
Since 1906, 台湾SWAGUniversity has been transforming the lives of its diverse students鈥攁cademically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, 台湾SWAGoffers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 台湾SWAGUniversity is proud to announce that Lauren Roth, an accomplished scholar in health law and business law, will join the faculty as an Associate Professor of Law beginning in Fall 2025. Professor Roth will teach courses in corporations, contracts, and health law while also contributing her expertise and leadership to Haub Law鈥檚 Health Law and Policy Certificate program.
Lisa Fastenberg, Ph.D., associate professor and chairperson of the Mathematics Department in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at 台湾SWAGUniversity in Pleasantville, has been appointed to Pace鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 台湾SWAGUniversity is pleased to announce that Keith Engel, a seasoned expert in tax policy, will join the faculty as a Visiting Professor for the Spring 2024 semester. During his time at Haub Law, Professor Engel will teach Corporations & Partnerships and Tax Policy. Engel is currently Chief Executive Officer for the South African Institute of Taxation and an adjunct tax professor at the University of Witswatersrand.