West Chester (Mayo 24, 2023) – The Oxford Area Senior Center will receive more than $14,000 in state funding for capital improvements and renovations, state Senator Carolyn Comitta announced today.
The funds come as part of $2 million in total funding awarded 48 senior community centers statewide through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging 2022-23 Senior Community Center grants.
In addition, Surrey Services Center for Healthy Living in Devon was awarded nearly $20,000 for capital improvements and renovations.
“Our senior centers offer a variety of important services to help our older friends, neighbors, and loved ones stay happy, healthy, productive, and empowered in their golden years,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, said. “These investments will help them continue to deliver vital programs and resources to the older adult community.”
“The Oxford Senior Center, Inc. is excited to be 2022-2023 PA Department of Aging Senior Community Center grant awardee. These much-needed funds will be used to upgrade our facility’s HVAC system which will allow us to continue to provide our senior consumers with a comfortable setting in which to enjoy the programs and activities we provide to our senior community,” said Executive Director Jim McLeod. “Thank you for Senator Comitta’s effort in providing these funds!”
The grants help senior centers support projects, such as updating and modernizing facilities, providing new health and entertainment programs, upgrading technology, and enhancing nutrition services.
“Our Senior Community Centers are pillars in our communities and to the older adults they serve. Whether it’s a meal, health and wellness activities, or socializing, these centers help our seniors thrive and continue to live independently as they age. Many times, a SCC may be the only interaction that an older adult has, and we want to make sure that our centers are welcoming, inclusive, and inviting,” said Acting Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “The projects funded by the Senior Community Center grants will help the recipients enhance the programs and services that are already in place as well as create new opportunities to welcome current visitors and attract new consumers.”
This year marks the return of awarding the grants through a competitive process. During the last two years of the pandemic, when many of Pennsylvania’s senior community centers were struggling, the competition aspect of the grants was suspended and the $2 million in grant money was distributed equally to help all of the centers in the state.
Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled his first budget proposal, which includes an additional $1 million in Senior Community Center grants that would also create a permanent non-competitive grant program. Since the competitive grants normally fund larger scale projects, the non-competitive program would allow smaller needs to be met and more SCCs to benefit.
There are 485 Senior Community Centers throughout Pennsylvania that provide a variety of offerings, such as nutritious meals, educational opportunities, transportation services, financial and insurance counseling, and exercise programs.
Proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery help fund these programs.
For more information on other services and programs benefiting older Pennsylvanians, visit the Department of Aging’s website.\
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