Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, NY Legal Assistance Group, and Kuva Yoga Founder Rupali Dogra Will Be Honored at May 7 Event
New York — PSS, a multi-service nonprofit agency that has served older New Yorkers and their families for more than 60 years, today announced it will pay tribute to three leaders whose work has positively impacted the lives of City residents, particularly its older adults, at its PSS Honors 2026 event on Thursday, May 7.
- The Maggie Kuhn Award will go to Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, a native New Yorker who has advocated for her constituents for more than 20 years at both the state and local levels. Gibson’s work on behalf of her constituents, especially the less fortunate, embodies the spirit of Maggie Kuhn, who founded the Gray Panthers in the early 1970s. PSS established the award in 1995 in honor of the social activist.
- The Circle of Care Award salutes the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) for its dedicated support of caregivers and families and webinars on such topics as Medicaid and Medicare it provides for PSS. The award acknowledges innovative programming, research or services in the fields of caregiving and dementia. PSS Circle of Care provides education, support and respite to NYC caregivers and their families and is a long-time partner of NYLAG.
- The Impact Award will be presented to Rupali Dogra, founder of Kuva Yoga and Wellness. Rupali specializes in adapted yoga for older adults, and her weekly chair yoga classes through PSS Life! University have a devoted following — marrying movement and mindfulness. The Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization inspiring people 50 and older to pursue a path of passion and purpose through lifelong learning.
“All three of our recipients have worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of PSS older adults and their families,” said PSS Executive Director Rimas Jasin. “We are pleased to honor them for their contributions and look forward to continuing our long-standing relationships.”
In addition to the awards presentation, the PSS Honors 2026 event will feature a panel moderated by journalist Richard Eisenberg, recipient of the 2022 Impact Award. PSS Honors 2026 will be held at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.
The honorees:
Maggie Kuhn Award — Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has dedicated her career to service. She began her political career in 2001, when she joined the New York State Assembly Intern Program as a college student, working with then-Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene. In 2017, as a councilperson, she worked with then-councilperson Mark Levine to pass the landmark Right to Counsel legislation, providing free legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction in Housing Court.
Gibson also led efforts to establish a comprehensive, ten-year food strategy for New York City, focusing on improving access to healthy food, supporting community gardens, and addressing food deserts. In 2021, she made history again as the first woman and the first African-American to hold the office of Bronx Borough President.
Circle of Care Award – New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Founded in 1990, NYLAG’s services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and advocacy to New Yorkers. Within NYLAG, the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program (EFLRP) helps New Yorkers access affordable health and long‑term care, with a focus on Medicaid and Medicare advocacy. EFLRP offers counseling on eligibility, professional training, legal representation in benefits denials, and public education. NYLAG’s Legal Health and Public Benefits units also provide Medicaid and Medicare counseling.
Impact Award — Rupali Dogra, founder of Kuva Yoga and Wellness, specializes in adapted yoga for older adults. Through her signature ‘Mobility & Mindfulness’ program, she guides members of the PSS Life! University community through seated chair yoga and meditation practice, creating a space that is welcoming, inclusive and supports individuals of all ages and abilities. Rooted in the teachings of her gurus in India, Rupali’s classes—both online and in person—are continually inspired by the determination and resilience of the seniors she serves. In addition to her extensive yoga certifications and advanced trainings, Rupali holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Educational Development from Columbia University in New York City, which further informs and strengthens her work.
About PSS:
PSS (Presbyterian Senior Services) is an innovative multi-service non-profit 501(c)(3) agency whose mission is to strengthen the capacity of older New Yorkers, their families, caregivers, and communities to thrive. Founded in 1962, PSS has 115 dedicated staff and roughly 100 committed volunteers and interns serving all five boroughs. The organization operates 10 community centers for older adults offering meals, daily activities and socialization, technology and computer skills instruction, healthy living programs and onsite social workers. PSS operates two Senior Residences – one in Corona, Queens and the other in the Bronx. PSS Circle of Care supports families and friends caring for someone who is frail, chronically ill or has memory loss with caregiver and kinship family support programs. PSS Life! University is a lifelong learning center offering a program of virtual, in-person and hybrid classes designed to inspire and equip people to navigate the transitions that come with aging. NY Connects Brooklyn ties older adults and disabled individuals of any age to resources in Kings County. PSS Case Management serves and advocates for more than 1,000 homebound older adults in Bronx Community Districts 9, 10, and 11. Clients are provided with connection to home health-aide services, home-delivered meals, and a wide range of benefits and entitlements. PSS serves more than 2,200 New Yorkers daily, reaching about 25,000 per year.
For Media Inquiries:
Laurie Petersen, Director of Communications, lpetersen@pssusa.org, 917-734-1554
For Event Sponsorship Inquiries or to Request an Invitation: Andrew Phillips, Advisor, aphillips.advisor@pssusa.org