Two Philadelphia Senior Centers Receive State Grants for Improvements

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recently announced the recipients of its Senior Center Community Grant program. Two Philadelphia senior centers received the largest grants out of 36 centers across the state.

“As our older adult population continues to grow, it is important for senior community centers to be effective resources in engaging our older adults to live and age well,” Secretary of Aging Brian Duke said in a press release. “These grants will assist centers in enhancing programming, attracting new members and building on successful practices.”

Another of the grant program’s stated goals is to modernize PA’s senior centers, and local recipients are planning to do just that.

Lutheran Settlement House, located along Frankford Avenue in South Kensington, received a $132,991 grant, which will go towards the creation of an Internet cafe with 20 laptops and the construction of a demonstration space for healthy cooking classes.

Center in the Park, located in Germantown, is using all of its $120,425 grant to expand the use of an older adult education model called the “Aging Mastery Program,” which was created by the National Council on Aging. The program uses an incentive system to encourage older adults to learn about topics that affect their daily lives, including how to better communicate with doctors and how to eat healthier.

Megan McCoy, director of grant research and development at Center in the Park, said that it was one of five organizations nationally to pilot the program. Now Center in the Park is helping with its expansion throughout the region.

Further Information

2012-2016 State Plan on Aging

Program overview of Aging Mastery Program

Photo of Lutheran Settlement House, located at 1340 Frankford Avenue