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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2009
COLUMBUS - Governor Ted Strickland has proclaimed March 29 through April 4 as Ohio Senior Center Week to recognize the work that senior centers, their staff and volunteers do to enrich lives and strengthen communities and the state. The observance also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the state association that supports and enhances the ability of Ohio's senior center network to effectively serve older adults.
"Senior centers offer services that help their members maintain independence, while also providing opportunities for them to interact with each other and contribute to their communities," said Strickland. "From meals and socialization, to trips, volunteer efforts and educational opportunities, our senior centers provide older Ohioans, baby boomers and others with meaningful and valuable activities."
Ohio Senior Center Week coincides with the annual spring conference of the Ohio Association of Senior Centers (OASC), March 31 through April 1, at the Columbus Hilton at Polaris. OASC was established in 1959 to provide education, training and certification for senior center staff, guidelines for best practice sharing, development of new funding sources and information on legislation and advocacy efforts on behalf of older Ohioans.
"We are so proud to acknowledge this impressive milestone for a very important and influential organization," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "Senior centers have been around since the early days of the state's aging network and remain a very important part of its foundation. We could not do what we do without them."
Working in concert with the Department of Aging and other service providers, senior centers strive to promote the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older Ohioans. More than 450 full- and part-time senior centers in Ohio have locations, staff and programs that uniquely reflect the diversity of the people they serve, while they serve as community focal points, bringing generations together. Centers also play a crucial role in Ohio's social services system, through home delivered meals, transportation and other valuable services.
"We hope that all Ohioans will take time this week to learn more about their local senior centers and the opportunities available, and ask how they can get involved," Strickland added.
Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/resources/seniorcenters/ for more information and a list of senior centers throughout the state.
About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging provides leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers. Working with 12 area agencies on aging and other community partners, the department offers home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman program, the Golden Buckeye Card and more. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov.
State of Ohio
Executive Department
Office of the Governor
Columbus
IN RECOGNITION OF
OHIO SENIOR CENTER WEEK
MARCH 29 - APRIL 4, 2009
Senior centers have formed the foundation of the state's aging network since the network was first created. This year, the Ohio Association of Senior Centers celebrates its 50th year of service to the state's more than 450 full- and part-time senior centers.
Senior centers are inextricably linked to their communities. For all the support and services they provide, they are, in large part, reliant on the support of contributors, volunteers, voters, community leaders and others for their continued success.
Senior centers offer older Ohioans, including baby boomers, a place to go for social activities, trips, volunteer opportunities, health screenings, health and consumer education, creative arts, exercise, wholesome meals and more. In many areas, centers also act as community focal points, creating unique intergenerational activities.
Many multipurpose senior centers work with local partners to provide home- and community-based services that allow local residents to age in place instead of moving to more expensive and restrictive institutional care. These services, which include home delivered meals and transportation services, promote the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older Ohioans.
FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, I, TED STRICKLAND, Governor of the State of Ohio, do hereby proclaim March 29 - April 4, 2009 as
OHIO SENIOR CENTER WEEK
throughout the state of Ohio and urge all Ohioans and communities to visit and support their local senior centers.
On this twenty-third day of March, 2009;
Ted Strickland
Governor
Contact:
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