NYC Emergency Management Presents the Ready New York Older Adults Center of the Year Award to Diana H. Jones Older Adults Center in Brooklyn

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December 4, 2025

NEW YORK CITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PRESENTS THE READY NEW YORK OLDER ADULT CENTER OF THE YEAR AWARD TO DIANA H. JONES OLDER ADULT CENTER IN BROOKLYN

Empowering Older Adults in Readiness: Diana H. Jones Shined as 'Ready New York Older Adult Center of the Year'

NEW YORK - The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) and the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) presented the Diana H. Jones Older Adult Center with the Ready New York Older Adult Center of the Year Award on Thursday, December 4. The annual award recognizes a center in the five boroughs that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to preparing older adults for emergencies. Diana H. Jones Older Adult Center is the 12th center to receive the award.

"Congratulations to the Diana H. Jones Older Adult Center on being named Ready New York Older Adult Center of the Year," said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. "Diana H. Jones treats preparedness as a year-round responsibility. They teach practical skills, build confidence, and make safety part of daily life for the people they serve. This recognition reflects their leadership and their commitment to keeping older adults informed, supported, and ready for any emergency. The people at this senior center prove every day that the best emergency response starts long before the emergency."

"We are proud to once again partner with NYCEM to present the Older Adult Center of the Year award. Congratulations to Diana H. Jones for being the twelfth recipient" said NYC Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. "Climate change can put all New Yorkers in a dangerous situation, but these classes make sure older adults are prepared for emergency situations. We look forward to continuing to recognize older adult centers for this incredible work ensuring their members are prepared."

NYCEM and NYC Aging selected Diana H. Jones as the 2025 award recipient because the center maintains a long-standing partnership with NYCEM and engages consistently in emergency preparedness. Since 2016, NYCEM has delivered nine preparedness presentations at the center, covering general emergency readiness, heat safety, and flood preparedness.

This year, NYCEM visited the center twice for a presentation and an emergency preparedness fair. During the most recent visit, staff observed that nearly every attendee-more than 60 older adults-reported having a Go Bag ready at home. Their high level of preparedness demonstrates the strength of the center's commitment and its partnership with NYCEM.

As a designated cooling center, Diana H. Jones opened for every heat activation this summer, including outside regular hours, to ensure older adults had a safe, cool space during extreme heat. The center maintains strong relationships with the local police precinct, and Community Affairs officers greet many older adults by name, reinforcing the center's role as a trusted neighborhood hub.

The center also stands out for its engaging programs, welcoming environment, and compassionate staff who ensure every older adult feels valued. Diana H. Jones provides extensive mental health and wellness resources, including counseling, support groups, mindfulness sessions, fitness and movement classes, and holistic health workshops.

The award ceremony featured remarks from NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol and NYC Aging Executive Deputy Commissioner Ryan Murray, and staff distributed readiness kits and cake.

About the Ready New York program

The Ready New York program outlines three important strategies to prepare for emergencies:

• Get Ready: Make a Plan - Have at least two emergency contacts - one local and one out-of-area - who you can call in an emergency. Practice your plan with everyone in your home.
• Get Set: Prepare a Stay-at-Home Kit - During emergencies that require you to stay at home, it is important to have extra food and water for everyone in the house and a battery-operated radio for news updates.
• Get Ready to Go: Pack a Go Bag - During emergencies that require you to leave your home, have a Go Bag with emergency supplies.
  

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