HARRISBURG PA – Three senior citizen centers in Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties were among 45 Pennsylvania organizations that received a total of more than $154,000 in competitive grants Tuesday (May 14, 2024) to benefit older adults. The money is intended to ensure seniors can rely on local places to stay healthy and connected to their communities.
Other centers in the three-county area, which were not eligible for competitive grants, were presented with smaller sums to continue their efforts on behalf of the elderly. Proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery fund the grants, which are supervised by the state Department of Aging.
Among the competitive winners were:
- In Pennsburg, The Open Link, which received $34,154 for capital improvements and renovations;
- In Phoenixville, the Phoenixville Area Senior Center, $17,400 for programs and services; and
- In Reading, the Berks Encore Center, $104,759 for capital improvements and renovations.
The competitive grants help recipients pay for larger-scale projects, the department said. They include updating and modernizing facilities, providing new health and entertainment programs, upgrading technology, and enhancing nutrition services.
Among 392 non-competitive grant recipients, all received equal shares of $1 million sought by Gov. Josh Shapiro specifically for the purpose. Each share amounted to $2,551. Local winners were:
- In Douglassville, the Wellness and Activity Center on Weavertown Road, operated by Berks Encore;
- In Boyertown, the Center at Spring Street on West Spring Street, a program of Boyertown Area Multi-Service;
- In Harleysville, Encore Experiences at Harleysville on Alumni Avenue; and
- In Lansdale, the Jaisohn Wellness Center on Allentown Road.
Shapiro, in a media release, referred to the small senior centers as social support lifelines in their communities.
There are 484 Area Agency on Aging-affiliated Senior Community Centers throughout Pennsylvania. This year, a total of 437 received competitive or non-competitive grant funds.
Photo by Ed Zbarzhyvetsky on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
Phoenixville Dogwood Parade Bigger, Better, Longer