Bay Ridge CONNECTS

A storefront community center for adults aged +60

7609 Third Avenue • Brooklyn 11209 • 718-333-5782 • Monday - Friday • 9 am - 5 pm

Stop by and see what's going on!

IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL PROGRAMS:

Computer and smartphone classes & support, Craft group, Exercise classes, Rock painting, Book Club, Bay Ridge Veterans Program and more!

BENEFITS ASSISTANCE:

SNAP, HEAP, SCRIE, Legal assistance, BenefitsCheckup.org, Medicare, and Medicaid. Call the office to find out more.


NEED A BOOK?

Take a look at our lending library. Books are all FREE for you to enjoy!

BRING YOUR IDEAS:

Bay Ridge CONNECTS is what you make it. Call or stop by and talk with us.


Meet Our Staff

  • Ashley Witherell

    NORC Director

    Ashley Witherell, our dedicated Bay Ridge Connects/NNORC Director. Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health from Southern New Hampshire University. With over 6 years of experience in the social work field, she previously served as a Supported Housing Case Manager in Upstate New York, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on individuals' lives. Ashley's friendly demeanor and genuine willingness to help and listen make her an invaluable asset to our team. Whether you have questions, concerns, or simply need someone to talk to, Ashley is here to support you on your journey of aging in place.

  • Betty Steier

    Health Care Specialist

    Hello everyone! My name is Betty Steier. I was fortunate to have been selected as the new Health Care Specialist for Bay Ridge Connects. I have been a registered nurse for more than 30 years and have held various positions in many different specialties within the nursing field.

    One of my favorite aspects of nursing is the education segment. Not only is knowledge necessary for proper and efficient management of any medical, emotional or domestic issue, but new innovations are constantly being discovered and introduced; therefore it is important that this new information is disseminated and explained so that informed decisions can be made by everyone involved in the healthcare management process.

    I have already met and spoken with quite a few members regarding their questions and concerns about various healthcare issues. I am available to meet with members for discussion every Monday through Friday from 9AM – 1PM.

    I look forward to meeting each and every one of you in the near future.

  • Sam Stein

    Sam Stein

    Case Manager

    Greetings! My name is Sam Stein, I am the Case Manager at Bay Ridge Connects. I am a recent graduate of Hunter college's Silberman school of Social Work, I graduated in May 2023 with my masters in social work. You may have seen me before at Bay Ridge Center, during my internship in 2022. I can assist members with applying for public benefits, housing, while linking and referring them to additional community resources in the area. Come join my 'Technology for Beginners' class every Monday at 1:30pm, where you can learn how to navigate your smartphone, tablet, or computer. My office hours are every M-F, from 9:00am-5:00pm. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns, and I look forward to seeing you at Connects!

Programming at Connects is made possible through funding from the
New York State Office for the Aging and the NYC Department for the Aging.

Bay Ridge Connects is an outgrowth of the Bay Ridge Center (BRC), which has been an anchor for the local senior community for more than forty years. Although affiliated with BRC, this second, store-front location offers a unique opportunity to embrace new programming and engage a wider and more diverse population.

Our goal is for Bay Ridge Connects to be an inclusive and welcoming space with a member-centered approach. The center is set up with state-of-the-art technology for tech-savvy users — or for training those who aren't. Passers by are encouraged to stop in and help create a vibrant, active and diverse community center for older adults.

For background on Bay Ridge Connects, see the Bay Ridge Center's
"55+ Neighborhood Needs Survey Report."