Message From the Executive Director

Dear 1199SEIU Members,

I can’t believe we’re approaching the end of 2024—I feel like this year has just flown by! The holiday season is officially here, bringing with it wonderful opportunities for us to celebrate with family and friends. So, I would ask that we collectively pause for a moment to appreciate all the steps we’ve taken this year. I know that as I’ve traveled this road, I continue to be grateful for the stories shared by so many of you to keep us all motivated. Let’s ring out 2024 feeling good about where our health journeys have brought us!

Here at the Benefit Funds, we continue to seek out new resources to support you on your journey. In this issue of For Your Benefit you’ll find information about the value of using food as medicine and the part it plays in preventive healthcare. And you’ll read about the many programs available to you as an 1199SEIU member. I encourage you to take the opportunity to get to know more about them. As you take the next steps on your health journey, we have classes, webinars and videos available to meet you where you are.

You’ll also hear from 1199er, Melissa Spells, a breast cancer survivor, whose journey includes losing 124 pounds and enrolling in a unique program that aims to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence for survivors through healthy weight management.

And I have more exciting news—season two of our Health Is the Key podcast is right around the corner! It’s been an amazing first year and if you haven’t tuned in lately, you may have missed our recent guest, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist Marcus Samuelsson. Chef Samuelsson is the co-founder of Red Rooster in Harlem and the author of the cookbook The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food. Check out his episode by visiting the Health Is the Key page.

I hope you’ll take the time to read through this issue of For Your Benefit. As we approach the new year, I’m happy to share that our 2025 calendar will showcase our popular Members’ Voices series once again. This monthly connection to our 1199SEIU community provides inspirational videos that can really support us on our journeys. So, make sure to get your copy of the calendar or download one and enjoy the stories shared by your fellow 1199ers.

It’s been quite a year! I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Health is the key to unlocking life’s joys. So, as we head into 2025—keep up the good work on your journey!

In good health,

Donna Rey, EdD

Executive Director, 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds

CEO, 1199SEIU Funds Administrative Operations