EMPORIUM, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging this week announced a $3 million investment to enhance Senior Community Centers (SCCs) across the Commonwealth, aimed at supporting the health, engagement, and independence of older adults.
Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich, speaking in Emporium, underscored the importance of these community-based hubs. “Senior Community Centers are a valuable resource to older adults in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Kavulich. “These investments are crucial to the SCCs to ensure they are welcoming, inclusive assets to the local area and the people it serves.”
The funding includes $2 million in competitive grants for large-scale projects and a separate $1 million in non-competitive funding secured in Governor Josh Shapiro’s first budget. The Emporium Senior Center, one of the grant recipients, received $55,546 for facility upgrades, including new HVAC systems and lighting. Additionally, 13 other centers in the Cameron/Elk/McKean Area Agency on Aging region were each awarded $2,525.
The initiative supports a range of services, including infrastructure improvements, nutrition programs, technology upgrades, and new health and wellness offerings. Centers typically provide meals, exercise classes, transportation, and financial counseling.
The Department also highlighted a new partnership with the National Center to Reframe Aging (NCRA), which aims to reshape public perceptions of senior centers. The collaboration will work with local SCC leaders to enhance public engagement and increase awareness of the value these centers bring to aging populations.
This partnership is part of Pennsylvania’s broader 10-year plan, “Aging Our Way, PA,” which seeks to modernize aging services statewide. Governor Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget proposal includes $3 million for the plan’s second year of implementation. Additional funding includes $2 million to expand oversight of the Area Agency on Aging network and $20 million to help AAAs sustain critical services.
The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Lottery and the state’s 2024–25 budget. It marks a continued effort to ensure older adults can age in place while staying active and connected within their communities.
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