Development Associate Carrie Cella talked with PSGDC founder and outgoing Board of Directors member Ida O’Grady Clark.

CC: How did you become involved with PSGDC?

IC: Around 1980, Emilie Corey, Anne (Quick) Akers, Marianne Nicolosi, Fannie Vassallo, and I were very active in the Park Terrace Inter Agency Council, which had been in existence for 8-10 years and whose members represented social, health and senior citizen agencies in Community Districts 6 and 7. We met once a month and had a number of committees. I was then the Director of Social Work Services at Methodist Hospital and had served as Chair of the Park Terrace Inter Agency Council for a number of years.

As the Council grew it became evident that seniors were aging out of senior centers and thus not able to access the services being offered. With the Council’s support, Emilie, Anne, Marianne, Fannie, and I comprised a committee to explore how to reach these seniors. Park Slope Geriatric Day Center was born out of this committee. In 1983, the Council members decided PSGDC should be a separate organization and committed funds to support its beginnings. Subsequent support came from the New York City Council through the leadership of Tom Cuite. At that time five or six frail clients were brought to the Prospect Avenue Senior Center where there was a recreation person and some transportation. The Center functioned out of that facility for two or three years until the Park Slope Neighborhood Family Center was renovated. We received our first private grant from the United Way and were able to obtain some funds from the Department for the Aging (DFTA) once in the new building.

I served as PSGDC Board of Directors President from 1991-1993. I feel we have done very well as we have always maintained excellent ratings with our DFTA contracts. I retired from Methodist Hospital in 1985 and have continued to volunteer my time on numerous boards. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with PSGDC, but as I chair two other Boards I need to manage my time and resign from other posts. However, I will still be available to support the center.

CC: What is your fondest memory of your time with PSGDC?

IC: The most exciting part was the beginning when things began to take shape. The Committee met virtually every other week and reported back to the Council with their ideas and new developments. It was a time of risk taking, challenge and great opportunity.

CC: In your view what successes has PSGDC achieved over the years?

IC: The most important success has been its growth. The Family Resource and Adult Day Services Center is a major achievement. We took a great financial and programmatic risk in this endeavor, and consequently clients living with cognitive impairments and their caregivers are benefiting greatly.

CC: Where do you see the work of PSGDC going in the future?

IC: I am not sure we have the space to do more then we are doing, between the two sites. The Board President should hold a strategic meeting or form a committee, to include new Board Members, to agree on the work ahead. The aspect of development and publicity is important, so people know about the services we offer, use them in the future and provide the financial support we need to supplement our funding sources.

CC: Is there anything I did not touch on that you would like to add?

IC: When you have the opportunity to get something started and be part of the process as they move to open new doors it is wonderful. Great relationships were formed and everyone pitched in; it was a group effort. We did a good job and I am sure all the others feel the same way. Our board members have worked hard; all of them, Emilie, Bill, Irwin, John, Sister Mercedes and all the others have been committed to the Center. Sadly, Fannie Vassallo PSGDC founder, Board Member and client passed away this August at the age of 87. She was an energetic, enthusiastic friend who will be sorely missed. And of course Marianne has been a great Executive Director and leader in the field of social day care.