Project Independence and You! Fridays at 10 AM
The show delivers important and timely information all while sharing laughs, heart and positive vibes.
The Project Independence and You Radio Show hit the airwaves on September 23, 2011. The show is a service of Project Independence, the Town of North Hempstead’s aging in place initiative. Currently, it is hosted by John Ryan and cohost Otto Lohse. Over the years, the radio program has evolved into a community based show for all ages, where the hosts discuss important and timely information from elected officials, medical and mental health experts, community organizations, interesting residents and more. After listening to an informative guest, be sure to listen to the Talk of the Town to find out about updates, programs and what’s going on around Town with Producer, Kristina Lew.
John Ryan, Host of Project Independence and You
John Ryan is a Managing Partner with Ryan & Janowsky Financial Strategies Group in Jericho, New York. He is Certified in Long Term Care Insurance and has been in the financial services industry for over 35 years. In addition to his work in the financial world, he also received his Master’s Degree in Gerontology and a post-master’s Thanatology certification. John is a Reiki Master, Chakra Therapist and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. He is a past Member of the Board and grief support group facilitator for Heartbridge Center for Loss and Transition in Manhattan. John was trained in the “holistic approach” to hospice volunteerism at The Landsberg Comprehensive Community Hospice at Parker Jewish Institute, where he was also a past Associate Board Member. In Great Neck, where John resides with his wife Stephanie, he is the past President of The Rotary Club of Great Neck and past Deputy Governor and past Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7255 and recipient of multiple Paul Harris Awards. He is also past President of the Friends of The Great Neck Parks Foundation and past Member of the Board of the Gold Coast Arts Center. John is currently the President of the Great Neck Social Center and President of CLASP (Children Learning After School Program). He serves on the Board of Directors of Long Island Family Caregivers Coalition, the Advisory Council to Literacy Nassau and is on the Speaker Selection Committee for the Gerontology Professionals of New York. He is the co-founder of Project S.A.F.E. Long Island (Seniors Against Financial Exploitation) and is also the cohost of the PATV series by the same name with his partner Peter Janowsky. John’s work professionally and in the community makes him the perfect host all the while spreading a positive outlook on life.
Otto Lohse, Co-Host
Otto Lohse is a New York native with 50 years of business experience in the marketing and sales of technical business systems and products. This combined with a long trail of life experience gives Otto a broad perspective on living life along with the process of aging. He has actively engaged with Project Independence since its inception in 2004, playing an active role with Advisory, Newsletter, Technical and Radio committees. The last 9 years include participation as co-host on Project Independence and You Radio Show, where lots of entertainment and valuable information is provided to enhance senior’s lives. Otto contributes many thoughts learned on his “Train Ride of Life”.
Kristina Lew, Producer and Talk of the Town Co-Host
Kristina Lew was born and raised on Long Island. In addition to being the Producer of the PI and You Radio Show, Kristina Lew has a Masters in Social Work and is the Senior Citizen Program Development Specialist for the Town of North Hempstead’s Department of Services for the Aging. Kristina knew from a very young age that she wanted to help seniors, largely due to her extremely close relationship with her grandparents. She started her journey with the Town of North Hempstead as a Social Work intern in 2009 helping to build the now successful aging in place program, Project Independence (PI). The mission of Project Independence is to assist and enable aging residents of the Town to remain in their own communities and familiar surroundings as they grow older, if this is their choice. Kristina is an energetic team player who “wears many hats” for the Town. Kristina helps to oversee the social workers and nurses, oversee and track programs and statistics, the creator and editor of the Pioneer newsletter, email newsletter and promotional material for PI. Working for PI and producing the Radio Show allows her to mix her social work expertise with her love of creativity. Kristina’s motto is “When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine!”
