How Supportive Futures Helped Two Families Get Back on Their Feet

Article Summary: The Hudson Valley Care Coalition’s Social Care Network connects Medicaid members to community organizations that address food, housing, and transportation needs. Through partner organizations like Supportive Futures Foundation, members like Zoralys and Douglas received help with utility bills, groceries, and transportation — services that address the root causes behind unstable health outcomes. 

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In Rockland County, a family struggling to keep the lights on. A man rebuilding his life after addiction and near-fatal overdose. Different stories, same turning point: someone showed up, listened, and helped them get what they needed to move forward.

That’s the work of Supportive Futures Foundation — one of more than 160 community organizations partnered with HVCC’s Social Care Network across the Hudson Valley.

Watch: Real Stories, Real Impact

Zoralys’ Story

Zoralys works for Supportive Futures Foundation. She’s also one of its clients.

She’s married, but her husband is unable to work. She’s raising three children while also caring for her mother, who recently had a stroke — all on a single income that wasn’t stretching far enough.

“I was the only one working, and I was struggling for food. My utility bill was really high.”

Supportive Futures helped cover her utility bill. They connected her to Mercado for groceries and provide weekly funds for online food shopping. When her mother needed stroke recovery services, they helped coordinate that care too.

“This is a good program. They help in a lot of ways…emotional support. They care about the people.”

Douglas’ Story

Douglas Dunham ran a successful plumbing business for 20 years. A workplace accident led to a Percocet prescription, and what started as pain management became dependency.

“The opiates become a way of life to survive… if you don’t have it, your body goes through major withdrawals.”

The addiction cost him his business, his relationships, and nearly his life.

“I thought I could overcome this on my own, but I didn’t realize how deep I was in until I almost died, and I was Narcanned back, and then I realized I needed help.”

Supportive Futures Foundation walked alongside him through 30 days of rehab and recovery.

“They have helped me multiple times with my heat bill, with my water bill. Supportive Futures Foundation provides me transportation when I need it.”

Leslie, the case manager who worked with him, has watched the change firsthand.

“This program is great… you can see it in his face. He looks better. He feels better. He’s talking better.”

Why This Work Matters

Zoralys and Douglas didn’t need one thing. They needed food, utility support, transportation, and someone willing to hear their whole story — not just process a request.

That’s what the Social Care Network is built for: connecting Medicaid members to organizations like Supportive Futures Foundation that can address the full picture of a person’s health-related social needs, not just a single crisis at a time.

Yael Zola, founder of Supportive Futures Foundation, describes what that actually looks like day to day.

“You’re a person. We’re going to ask you the random questions about your actual life. We’re going to get to know you… it’s kind of like you’re friends and family.”

Medicaid members across the Hudson Valley can self-screen at hudsonvalleycare.org/self-screener or call us at 914-215-5292 to get assistance with screening and navigation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Social Care Network?
The Social Care Network is a regional system connecting Medicaid members in the Hudson Valley to community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and hospitals that address health-related social needs — specifically food, housing, and transportation.

Who runs the Social Care Network in the Hudson Valley?
The Hudson Valley Care Coalition (HVCC) is the lead entity for the Social Care Network across seven Hudson Valley counties, coordinating a network of more than 160 partner organizations.

How does a Medicaid member get help through the Social Care Network?
Members can self-screen online at hudsonvalleycare.org or contact us at 914-215-5292 for assistance with screening and navigation. No referral is required.

What kind of help is available?
Support includes food and nutrition assistance, housing stabilization, transportation services, and connection to a navigator who helps coordinate ongoing care.

Who actually delivers these services?
Community-based organizations like Supportive Futures Foundation deliver services directly. HVCC serves as the connector, linking Medicaid members to the right local partner rather than providing services itself.

What does “screening” mean in this context?
Screening is the first step — a conversation or questionnaire that identifies eligibility and which health-related social needs a member has, so they can be connected to the right service and tracked through to resolution.

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