I'm an RN in the Bronx. My relative was a client of this organization. The experience was chaotic, traumatic, and inhumane. The services advertised on their web page were non existent. Only occasional
groups run by inexperienced, non credentialed workers who make a lot of phone calls, empty promises, and change their employees like I change my socks. I don't think they pay very well either. These so called non profit organizations get their money from Medicaid, a total waste of our tax payer dollars. I'm sure someone is profiting. They even stopped serving their cheap cheese sandwiches at group! What a joke.
The worst experience I have ever had. You sign up, they claim to care and promise to help and you are lost in the cracks. Workers change every few weeks and and they make promises they cannot keep. The persons running this program in my opinion do not care about the disabled, and in 8 months affiliated with them I was horrified at what I saw.
This was and possibly still is a tremednously valuable organization. I got involved and helped incorporate CHOICE many years ago. I remember working with Sarah, Joshua and Deborah for many years as a Board Member/Advisor. Unfortunately, I cannot give it five stars since I left the Westchester area for California back in 1999 and have now lost touch with the staff and Board of CHOICE. It was founded on the two principles of simply helping people and sharing common experiences, joys and frustrations, although I cannot remember what was written for the Articles of Incorporation. Working with CHOICE was one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences of my life.
CHOICE is no longer the fine organization that it once was. Apparently a coup d'etat on the Board resulrted in the dismissal of the excellent Executive Director Joshua Koerner and Assistant Director Deborah. These two remarkable individuals led to a viable mission driven organization based upon excellence. Now that standard is unfortunately a thing of the past.
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I had the privilege to serve as Board Chair when CHOICE was located in a crowded office above a pet store. I have witnessed the growth a of a highly professional organization which serves individuals with disabilities with respect and dignity. CHOICE has consistently provided commmunity support through consistent and tireless advocacy for peopple who would otherwise be discarded by a mental system which is a fomidable labyrinth to negotiate. Hundres of clients now have excellent stable and safe housing due to the tenacity of a dedicated and knowledgeable staff. The services are exceptional as they are performed with the comapassion and empathy of a staff who has been through the system themselves. They are indeed CONSUMERS who CARE.
I love this organization - great minds and mission make an effective combination to help mentally ill people and to eradicate the stigma of mental illness. Peer advocacy creates trust and people from all walks of life are met with understanding and compassion. Their programs are on target while government help is failing.
A worthwhile agency to donate to as the money is spent on their programs not on marketing.
As a Board Member and consumer, I have had the opportunity to observe and be a part of the body that governs and oversees CHOICE. I have seen first-hand the kinds of policies that have effectively shaped and guided the organization. CHOICE provides services that are in great need, and the staff brings to the table a sensitivity born of shared experience.
Choice of News Rochelle is run by a sincere and experienced team of dedicated people providing peer advocacy and supportive case management. They deeply understand the needs of their clients and how to help guide them toward greater independence and a better quality of life. One thing that makes them stand out is their focus on evaluating the quality of their programs and their unceasing effort to deliver their services in the most effective and efficient manner in order to provide ever-greater value to those their clients. Choice is an exemplar of what a peer-run organization for people with mental illness ought to be!
CHOICE is an established, successful agency offering advocacy and support in a variety of areas to persons who are struggling with, and recovering from, emotional and mental stress. CHOICE is peer-run and provides not only excellent services but also person-centered support to its clients in a variety of settings.
As an administrator of a mental health agency in Westchester, I call upon colleagues at CHOICE for assistance in our work with clients and for training expertise for our employees. Staff at CHOICE are always responsive, knowledgable and are a real asset to our community. CHOICE staff also provide expert training workshops to the attendees at the annual conference of the New York State Case Management Coalition.
CHOICE has served its participants in an extremely person-centered way since its inception. The staff at CHOICE work with many people who have struggled with other organizations. They are caring and work to assist their participants in as many areas of their lives as possible. At one time (about 13 years ago), I also served as a CHOICE Board Member and Secretary.
CHOICE provides a wide array of advocacy, outreach and case management services for people who are often difficult to serve. They offer dignity and respect to the people they serve as they work towards recovery. They are a professional organization that plays a significant role in the mental health system of care in our community.
Choice is a very professional organization. I've had the privilege of working with them on a project and was impressed with their dedication and desire to serve their clients.
CHOICE has an excellent reputation in the community for providing effective services with respect. They are particularly inclusive about who they serve and are great about outreach and working with folks in the community. They provide strong leadership, with innovative thinking and and a can-do attitude.
I have had the opportunity to send many of our clients to CHOICE for help in understanding benefits, applyuing for such benefits, receiving assistance in advocating for clients re: housing issues, work issues, etc. They have been a wonderful resource for us, and are always willing to assist our clients.
I had lost my benefits with social services and did't know why. I was told by one of my friends to try Choice. If they couldnt help maybe they know sone one who can. I interviewed with them and in 3 days found out what the problem was. The problem was corrected and I started to get my benefits back. thank you choice
My first experience with CHOICE was in the late ninety’s when it still operated under the umbrella of a fiscal sponsor. At that time I understood only that the agency had a thrift shop. Consumers could frequent the shop as often as they liked and could take home donated clothes and toiletries for free. I later learned that the volunteers on staff were also available to assist any walk ins with document completion, applications for Medicaid and other government entitlements. The most impressive thing about the agency at that point was the tone of the office. Walk ins were treated with utter respect and kindness. No one was made to feel judged either due to their poverty or their mental illness. I learned later that CHOICE employed as volunteers only recipients of mental health services. What an idea! Though I know that "having a toothache doesn't make you a dentist" the idea of persons who too have been discriminated against and faced the obstacles set forth to discourage access to federal and local benefits helping others based on this shared experience, without judgment. This is invaluable. CHOICE today looks very different than it did back then. The agency now has full time staff members, program directors, a Deputy Director and an Executive Director. The agency provides 4 types of services: homeless outreach, case management, advocacy and suicide intervention skills training. The agency has grown by leaps and bounds since I first encountered CHOICE back in 1997. The one thing that remains the same is the caring with which all services are delivered.
CHOICE is a wonderful organization that offers help to people on their road to recovery in a way that is accecssible and welcoming. Peers with a lived experience offer hope and the tools to conquer fears and help everyone attain their dreams. This organization is exceptionally well run and offers all who enter its doors a pathway to recovery. Thanks to CHOICE for being all they are.