To carry out our mission, Search and Care:

• seeks out at-risk older people who have become known to health care providers, neighbors, faith-based organizations, landlords and building management companies, area merchants (banks, pharmacies, grocery stores), or others in the neighborhoods
  
  
• provides professional and supportive services which include securing benefits and entitlements, housing, legal, financial and medical advocacy, homecare and transportation arrangements, bill-paying, budgeting and money management, emergency preparedness and home safety, companionship and socialization
  
  
• collaborates with agencies and organizations at all levels (community, citywide, statewide and national) to develop and improve coordination of services for the growing number of at-risk older people who need personalized community-based care that enables them to live safely and independently
  
  

History of Search and Care:
In 1972, Reverend Clarke Oler of The Church of the Holy Trinity (East 88th St.) observed an increasing incidence of neighborhood elders who were "falling through the cracks." Their frailties (physical, medical, cognitive, emotional), very limited financial resources, few nearby supports to rely upon, and a lack of community programs, were jeopardizing their ability to safely age at home. Yet, for most of these elders, remaining independent, in the comfort of their own home and community, was crucial to their sense of dignity and well being.

With social worker Suzannah Chandler, the aid of a Good Samaritan Home start-up grant, and Reverend Oler's vision, Search and Care was founded. Originally located at The Church of the Holy Trinity (1972-2001) and later at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (2001-2003), Search and Care relocated to a home of its own in 2003 - the ground floor of Carnegie East House (1844 Second Avenue, New York City).

In Ms. Chandler's first year she was "searching and caring" for 72 vulnerable Yorkville and Carnegie Hill elderly residents. Ms. Chandler employed compassionate, comprehensive, cost-effective care that was considered the 'best practice model' then, and is the basis for how the agency operates today. She went on to build and guide Search and Care in the role of Executive Director, until her retirement in 2006.

Brian C. Kravitz (LCSW, MS. Ed) joined Search and Care in 2006 as Executive Director. Mr. Kravitz brings to the agency experience in the field of aging, and formerly held positions at Mt. Sinai Hospital, JASA and Hudson Guild. He has been entrusted with maintaining all that the agency is renowned for, while writing a new chapter of leadership, advocacy and policy design to benefit the vulnerable elderly.

Less than 15% of Search and Care's annual agency budget is funded by public contracts and discretionary grants awarded through local elected officials. Financial support comes primarily from private philanthropy: Board giving, fundraising events, individual giving, faith-based and community group support, and foundation grants. For more detailed information about Search and Care's financials, please visit Guidestar (will open in new window).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christine L. Robinson, President
Katharine S. Legg, Vice President
Caroline M. Tripp, Secretary
Nicholas F. Potter, Treasurer

Cynthia E. Bing
Neil E. Botwinoff
Barbara D. Hayes
Ann Hall Kaplan
Bryan Hunt Lawrence
Kathleen B. Linburn
Alice K. Moorhead
Nina S. Myers
Susan M. Relyea
Jeanne B. Riegel
Hon. Marian R. Shelton
Claudia G. Thompson
Matthew M. Twist
Amanda Webb
Cecil Wray

HONORARY DIRECTORS
Henry Darlington, Jr.
John F. Gilpatric
Molly C. Goodman
Matthew F. Heyd
Irvine D. Flinn
The Rev. Clarke K. Oler
Molly O. Parkinson
Virginia R. Schwerin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brian C. Kravitz