Danielle Ellman, Chief Executive Officer of Commonpoint, said in a press release that a donation of home security products would assist older adults in aging in place with dignity and safety. The initiative specifically targets seniors living alone in Northeast Queens.
"We are incredibly grateful for Amazon's contribution to older adults in our community to better equip them to age in place with dignity and with safety," said Ellman. "Some of our participants live alone, and it is an invaluable benefit to them and their families, providing peace of mind to be able to monitor their own homes."
According to the press release, Amazon's donation of Ring products to Commonpoint is part of a broader public-private initiative aimed at supporting aging in place by equipping older adults with technology that enhances safety, independence, and peace of mind. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to community resilience through nonprofit collaboration.
The initiative will provide 250 Ring Video Doorbells, 50 Ring Cameras, and 50 Ring Chimes to eligible seniors aged 60 and older in Northeast Queens. These devices will be distributed through Commonpoint's Older Adult Centers and Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) programs in neighborhoods such as Little Neck, Bayside, and Forest Hills on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ring, a subsidiary of Amazon, is collaborating with USAging to distribute up to 5,000 video doorbells and Stick-Up Cams with lifetime subscriptions to older adults nationwide. This includes partnerships with ten Area Agencies on Aging across the United States to improve home safety and community connection. Pilot efforts in Florida and New York demonstrated strong demand and measurable improvements in seniors’ sense of security.
Ellman is President and CEO of Commonpoint, where she leads programs serving over 85,000 people annually across more than 80 locations with a $70 million budget and over 1,200 staff members. A former Executive Director of the Central Queens Y, she oversaw its merger with Samuel Field Y. Ellman holds dual master’s degrees in public policy and Jewish communal service and was named to New York City's first Jewish Advisory Council in 2023.