The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is working toward its mission of improving the quality of senior centers and organizations in the region by awarding $350,000 in grant funding to 11 local facilities.
Joe Gavin, SDSCF chief programs and community engagement officer, said the funding continues the work started through the organization’s inaugural study and master plan for senior centers in the region, which was released in May 2022.“It’s demonstrating that this was not a report that was going to sit on a shelf, but actually be utilized and to inform our work,” he said.
Prior to being hired as the Ed Brown Center’s new executive director through the SDSCF funding, Kim Lange said the center was a “hidden gem,” but its activities were fully driven by volunteer staff. “We need to have places in the community where we can all go and find friendship, continue learning, continue staying active and engaged because that benefits the community with overall health and wellness of our seniors,” Lange said.. The National Council on Aging reports that participants typically have higher levels of social interaction, life satisfaction and health than older adults who don’t use a local senior center.