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Programs for Those Living with ALS, Family and/or Caregivers

The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter now offers two types of monthly programs for members of the ALS community to gather, learn from each other & experts, and receive support.

Support Groups provide an opportunity for those living with ALS, family members, caregivers and friends to come together to share stories, hear the experiences of others living with the disease and to get information. While support groups are regional, anyone can attend any group that works for their schedule.

TLC: Talk. Learn. Connect. series offers a variety of speakers to increase your knowledge about community resources and effective strategies for living with the disease.

The programs are open to those living with ALS, caregivers, family members and friends. For more information on these call or email Christine Dunn at (212) 720-3044 or dunn@als-ny.org.


Support Groups


All groups are web-based or via telephone.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Long Island
Contacts: Theresa Imperato, RN, (516) 946-5467, imperato@als-ny.org
Bob Twasutyn, RN BSN MPH, (516) 916-1367,rtwasutyn@als-ny.org
Next meeting: February 7, 2023

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Lower Hudson Valley, NY
Contacts: Eileen Margenat, RN, emargenat@als-ny.org
Nancy Brenner, LCSW, (914) 406-3513, nbrenner@als-ny.org
Next meeting: February 7, 2023

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 6 PM – 7:30 PM
New York City
Contact: Jody Wiesel, PhD., (212) 720-3044, jod318@gmail.com
Next meeting: February 21, 2023

Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 2 PM – 3:30 PM
New Jersey
Contacts: Mary Ann Mertz, RN, (908) 552-5573, mmertz@als-ny.org, Melissa Braxton, MSW, (908) 587-6386, mbraxton@als-ny.org
Next meeting: February 18, 2023

January 24, 2023 | 1 PM - 2:30 PM
James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
Contacts: Michelle McKenzie, LMSW, (718) 644-1750, mmckenzie@als-ny.org
Ernest Acheampong, RN, (718) 584-9000 ext. 5388
Topic: Overview of Veteran Benefits - learn the benefits that an ALS Veteran is entitled to when they become service connected due to the ALS diagnosis.
Guest Presenter: Amauris Polanco, Paralyzed Veterans Administration
Next meeting: February 8, 2023

Caregivers Only Support Group
Date: Monday, January 23, 2023 | 1 PM – 2:30 PM
Contacts: Michelle McKenzie, LMSW, (718) 644-1750, mmckenzie@als-ny.org
Next meeting: February 27, 2023

Patients & Caregivers Support Group
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 1 PM – 2 PM
Contact: Charisse Viscomi-Santos, LPN, (201) 926-5374, csantos@als-ny.org
Next meeting: February 21, 2023

Telephone Support Groups
Patient Group: Every Wednesday | 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Caregiver Group: Every Wednesday | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Caregiver Bereavement Group: Every Tuesday | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Contact: Sue Zimmerman, LCSW, (212) 720-3050, zimmerman@als-ny.org


Talk. Learn. Connect.


Voice Banking & Communication
Thursday, January 5, 2023 | 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Presenter: Debra Zeitlin, Clinical Director, Bridging Voice. Learn How Voice Banking, Communication Devices, and the Bridging Voice Organization can help you.

A Pharmacological Overview of ALS
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Jesse Roberston, Pharm D, BCPS, MSCS, Clinical
A pharmacist working with ALS patients will give an overview of ALS and prescription medications that could be prescribed over the course of their disease to slow the progression of ALS and other related medications that may be prescribed to target the symptoms associated with ALS.

Entendiendo a ALS (Understanding ALS, presented in Spanish)
Thursday, January 26, 2023 | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Marixa Salgado, Social Worker for the ALS Association, Florida Chapter
Unase a nuestra presentacion acerca de ALS. Le ayudara a entender mas acerca de esta condicion. (Join us for a presentation about ALS. It will help you learn and understand more about this condition.)

Recursos en español disponibles. Por favor llame al (212) 619-1400. Gracias.


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