Clifton–Throughout its 93-year history, Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute, a long-term care and rehabilitation facility located in Clifton, has learned the value of establishing strong ties with like-minded organizations. One of its most enduring partnerships is the relationship with Jewish Family Service of North Jersey. Through joint programs, Daughters of Miriam Center and Jewish Family Service have served more of the community than they could reach alone. This year, at their 70th anniversary gala, Jewish Family Service honored that relationship by presenting the Center with their Community Partnership Award. Board of Trustees President Jeffrey Silvershein accepted the award on behalf of the trustees and administration.
Since its inception, Daughters of Miriam Center’s mission has always been to serve the Jewish community, providing for the needs of the most vulnerable, and sometimes overlooked, members of that community. When Nathan Barnert founded the Center in 1921, the mission was to create a home for the aged and orphans. Throughout the DMC’s 93-year history, it has evolved and grown from a single homestead on River Street in Paterson to a 13-acre center complete with a skilled-nursing facility, sub-acute care institute, specialized dementia-care units, two senior apartment buildings, and a sheltered workshop.
There is a huge overlap between the missions of Daughters of Miriam Center and Jewish Family Service, as both work with very vulnerable populations; consequently, the Center has partnered with JFS on many critical programs. In 1946, after 25 years as a home for the aged and orphans, the decision was made to focus DMC’s care and services on the elderly. Increasingly, those who sought the Center needed more than just a place to live. These seniors needed medical care as well, requiring the Center to add staff and services. With this increased focus on services for the elderly, the Center administration knew it could not give the orphans the attention they deserved. Needing help to ensure the best for the children, they turned to Jewish Family Service. For two years, under the guidance of what was then called the Jewish Social Service Bureau of Paterson and its executive director, Rose Batavia, homes for the children were found. Some children went on to foster homes, many were adopted, and some were even reunited with their families.
Through this experience it became apparent that by working together Daughters of Miriam Center and Jewish Family Service could accomplish more for the community. In 1980, the Center partnered with Jewish Family Service on their kosher Meals-on-Wheels program. For 34 years, Daughters of Miriam Center has provided the kosher meals while Jewish Family Service has provided the transportation and staff to deliver them. This vital program has allowed many seniors to remain in their own homes and communities for much longer than they might otherwise be able to do so, offering them dignity and independence in their later years.
The Center strives to keep residents and tenants connected to the greater community as it always want to ensure those who seek its services never feel isolated. In order to achieve this, the Center requires vehicles equipped to transport seniors for shopping trips and outings. Knowing this, when Jewish Family Service decided to end its own transportation program, they generously donated their van to the Center, allowing more of its seniors to keep engaged with the wider community. Whether it is a special outing to the theater, a weekly shopping trip, or just a ride to a doctor’s appointment, these vans provide an important link to the outside world.
When Jewish Family Service wanted to start a program to provide preventative nursing care and case-management services to seniors still living in the community, it was only natural that they again turned to the Center. This program now runs with the help and guidance of Kathleen Covello, the registered nurse in Miriam Apartments II, and similar to the kosher Meals-on-Wheels program, it allows seniors to continue living in their own homes, surrounded by friends and family in the communities they love.
