Located at 1110 Fifth Ave. in Youngstown, the Senior Independence Senior Center is a hub for activities and services. At the center, seniors enjoy social, recreational and educational activities.

The Senior Center provides information to meet the needs of seniors via telephone or in person, including assistance with Social Security, housing and health insurance/Medicare questions. In addition, staff members assist with benefits programs, including Golden Buckeye, Tax Assistance for the Elderly, Energy Credits, Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) and Legal Services.

The Center also will arrange care coordination providing in-home visits by a social worker to assess needs and assist with finding services to meet those needs.

Senior Center outreach services include:

• Advocating for older persons in the community
• Working to reach and serve low-income and homebound seniors with information about services
• Publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, The Senior Advocate, to keep readers informed of programs and activities at the Center.
• Providing speakers about programs, services and activities for older adults

Recreation and programming offerings include:

• Educational – financial series, crafts, painting, writing, investment and woodcarving (minimal fees are charged for classes)
• Recreational – bridge, bingo, line- and square-dancing
• Social activities – holiday parties, day and overnight trips (fees charged)
• Intergenerational activities – opportunities to interact with children
• Special interest groups – diabetes support, widowed persons
• Participation in senior activities – Northeast Ohio Senior Olympics
• District XI Senior Art Show, Ohio Senior Citizens' Day
• Golden Age Follies – a senior performing arts groups
• Volunteer opportunities – with a variety of options

Health and wellness programs include:

• Blood pressure screenings
• Mini-health assessments
• Speakers on health topics
• Flu shots at cost during fall months
• Access to health services and information

The Senior Independence Senior Center is funded in part through the District XI Area Agency on Aging and is under the management of Senior Independence, the home and community services division of OPRS.

For more information about the Senior Center, please contact us at (330) 746-2944, or SI@parkvista.oprs.org.