Jan 29, 2022 3 min read

Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging-affiliated senior centers and satellite centers are getting a funding boost for COVID-19 mitigation, programming, and other improvements.

Gov. Tom Wolf last week announced the $2 million Senior Community Center Grant will be dispersed among the commonwealth’s 400 senior centers and 99 satellite centers. 

The grant traditionally has been a competitive grant, but because of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on senior centers and satellite centers, the state Department of Aging is allocating the funds among all of the eligible centers.

“We think this will be a great help to senior centers, and it can certainly be used for a variety of projects,” said SWPAAA executive director Leslie Grenfell, noting the funds can be used for COVID-19 mitigation, capital improvements and renovations, programs and services, technology, nutrition services, marketing and outreach, and rent and utilities. “It is a huge benefit.”

Each senior center eligible will receive $4,752, and the satellite centers will receive $1,000 each.

In total, the 23 eligible senior centers and 12 eligible satellite centers in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties  will receive a combined $121,296.

The funds can be used for COVID-19 mitigation, capital improvements and renovations, programs and services, technology, nutrition services, marketing and outreach, and rent and utilities. 

Each senior center and satellite center can spend the funds on the projects that best meet the needs of the center and its senior adults. 

“It absolutely will be a great boost to us. Our funding is at a standstill, as well as our fundraising, so any help we get will certainly help our center and our satellite center,” said Caroline Marella, executive director of Albert Gallatin Human Service Agency, referring to Masontown Senior Center and Smithfield Satellite Center. “Getting that bonus grant will be helpful.

She said the funds have not yet been earmarked for a project.

Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Robert Torres noted that many senior centers are operating under limited hours, virtually or not at all during the pandemic.

“Because of the challenges that we have experienced for two years now, we’re pleased to once again be able to allocate the funding to help all eligible SCCs and their affiliate satellite centers, throughout the commonwealth, sustain their operations,” said Torres.

Senior centers operate full-time and provide a variety of programs and services such as nutritious meals, educational programs, fitness and well-being classes, transportation services, financial and insurance counseling, and volunteer opportunities. Satellite Centers operate less than full-time.

Grenfell said it’s important for the senior centers and satellite centers to be open because they offer the area’s older adults opportunities to gather for meals, and provide in-person social and educational activities, and camaraderie. 

“We want to encourage people to come back to centers because there are a lot of activities and services that they were missing,” said Grenfell. “An important part of their mental and physical health is coming to the senior centers.”

Hot meals are served at the centers, but grab-and-go meals are also available for those who do not want to stay for congregate meals, Grenfell added.

Funds will be dispersed beginning next week.