The Well-Lived Life of a Serial Social Entrepreneur

There are many people who work for social service organizations during their lifetime, but few do it with the passion and vision of Paul Arfin. In today’s episode, Paul talks about his long and storied career, starting out in the Peace Corps and progressing though a series of groundbreaking social programs on Long Island. He’ll chronicle his multiple initiatives supporting youth organizations in the region, as well as Latin American migrant workers. Ever a pioneer, he'll describe his shift toward blending advocacy for both youth and older adults, as the New York coordinator for Seniors4Kids, the creator of the area’s first intergenerational day care program, and the founder and CEO of Intergenerational Strategies, a leader in promoting the engagement of all people of all ages, helping families age in place and fight against ageism. And while Paul is no longer managing organizations, he remains active in social justice programs and has rekindled another passion later in life, finding new love and connection after caring for his wife of more than 50 years, who passed away from Alzheimer's Disease.

 

About the guest:

Paul Arfin is a pioneer in the establishment of numerous social programs on Long Island spanning 58 years. Paul earned a master’s degree in in social work from Adelphi University and served as founder and executive director of nonprofit organizations since graduation. When John F. Kennedy was president, he joined the Peace Corps , serving in Columbia from 1963 to 1965. Paul founded a number of social service programs on Long Island, including Community Development for Youth in Huntington, the first youth Center in Suffolk County; the YMCA of Long Island’s Family Services Division; the Cold Spring Harbor Youth Center; Alma Latina, a service organization for Latin American migrant workers; and Seniors4Kids, for which he served  as New York State Coordinator. In 2002 he founded and served as President of Intergenerational Strategies, Long Island’s leader in promoting civic engagement of people of all ages, creating programs to help people age in place and fight ageism. Among his credits are directing Long Island’s first intergenerational day program; the first mediation program in an American suburb; creating The Social Enterprise Alliance and establishing HomeShare Long Island. Paul served on number public committees and task forces in Suffolk County, including the Suffolk County Commission on Creative Retirement. He received the Pioneer Award from the New York State Adult Day Services Association; an Art of Caring Award from former governor George Pataki; and is an inductee into the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame. He is the author of two books, “Portrait of a Peace Corps Gringo” and “Unfinished Business: Social Action in Suburbia - Long Island NY 1945-2014,” as well as numerous articles.