Staff Biographies

Health & Wellness Services

Domestic Violence Assistance

   This program service as a postive outlet for domestic abuse.

• We provide short and long term counseling to victims and their families

• Referral to shelter: Vera House, Salvation Army, DSS, and others

• Provide assistance to families of children or adults with intellectual and development disabilities

   Purpose of the Group:

• To provide emotional support for women as they work through the effects of abuse

• To encourage personal growth in all areas of life

• To provided a comfortable atmosphere and develop relationships which are trusting and caring

• To provided a safe place to talk about the abuse

• To learn more about abuse and its affects on oneself and children witnessing abuse 

Women's and Men's Support Groups:

The Women's Support Group helps gain strength and confidence through a safe environment. They also can share experiences and understand that they are not alone and that there are services available to help them.

Domestic Violence Prevention

The Department of Domestic Violence works with the victims and their families to enforce and teach children of the community how to prevent domestic violence from the future by presenting at schools.

   Services the Program Assists With:

• Orders of protection

• Police reports

• Interpretations

• Safety plans for the victims and children

Domestic Violence Victims Confidential Hotline:

The Domestic Violence Director carries a cell phone 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, this line is confidential for Domestic Violence Victims. 

Hotline: (315)401-2271

Health & Wellness Services 

Program Guidelines:

The Family Support Services department serves people with development disabilities and their families.
The office of La Liga defines intellectual disability and developmental disabilities:

    Developmental Disabilities:

• Include a variety of conditions that become apparent during childhood and cause mental or physical limitation.

• These conditions include autism cerebral palsy, epilepsy  intellectual disability and other neurological impairments.

• People with developmental disabilities may not learn as quickly as others or express themselves clearly.

• Some people may have limited ability to take care of their physical needs or may have limited mobility.

• Many have more than one disability.

• Developmental disability have a variety of causes which can happen before, during, or after birth. 

   Intellectual Disability:

• Includes delays in learning, slower pace of learning and difficulty in applying learning.

• Approximately 200,00 people in New York are thought to have intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disability can result from variety of factors, such as premature birth, genetic abnormalities, malnutrition, exposure to toxic agent and social deprivation.

Educational Workshops:

The family support services directors hold educational workshops throughout the year. If you wish to attend one of these workshops, or have a specific topic that you would like to see presented contact Marina Rodriguez, Family Support Services Manager.

St. Agatha

Breast Cancer Care

Health and Wellness is a new division of the family support department at La Liga. We welcome clients to take advantage of the knowledge and experience offered. Our hope is to be able to address the community health needs. We currently are funded by the St. Agatha foundation, which allows us to deliver quality care to breast cancer patients.

Santa Agatha Foundation

“I want to Help those who cant afford their illness”

Laurie Mezzalingua a breast cancer patient for 12 years established the  Saint Agatha Foundation to provide financial  assistance to those in Central New York who are battling breast cancer. The foundation is dedicated to providing support, comfort,  and care to breast cancer patients. It can help pay for variety of costs that patients must bear to assure quality treatment. For more Information please visit our website or call us toll free at  (315)427-3315

We can help pay for the following costs, working with the hospital where you are currently receiving treatment:

• Treatment, Procedures

• Prescription co-pays

• Medication not covered by insurance

• Office visits or procedural co-pays

• Wound care Systems

• Breast Reconstruction

• Lymphedema sleeves

• Alternative treatment not covered by insurance

• Transportation to  & from treatment

• Prostheses

• Post- Surgical Camisoles, Bras

• Wigs

• Wellness Needs

The Saint Agatha Foundation serves patients in the counties of Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, and Oswego in central New York. To view the medical providers through which the foundation can help you please visit our website or call us:

(315) 427-3315  or

Health and Wellness Deals With:

• Nutrition not only effects our physical appearance it effects our health

• Diabetes and hypertension, cardiovascular, heart attacks, and strokes are some of the health issues addressed

• Benefits of a healthy diet are also addressed and counseling is available by an on-staff-health educator

• The program also addresses healthy food choices management and maintenance

• Prevention and treatment of certain diseases

• Improve overall well-being

Our health and wellness division includes school age children:

• Making it interactive with the kids as they learn about obesity

• Making health choices

• Safety

• Stay fit

• Classes are conducted and activities are incorporated to bring health topics home giving the children a greater understanding of the importance of staying healthy

• Eat well and play hard is our goal with all the children connected with the Spanish Action League

• Parents are welcome to be part of the process as well

Call Us

Wilmer Jimenez

Health & Wellness Coordinator 

Phone: (315) 475-6153 ext. 8751

Itzen Balderas

Health & Wellness Specialist (Breast Cancer Care)

Phone: (315) 475-6153 ext. 8764

www.laligaupstateny.org