Secretary of Aging Helps Launch Berks County 'Senior Center Without Walls'

READING, Pa., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian Duke today joined the Berks County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of Senior Center Without Walls at the Jamestown Village Community Room.

The initiative represents a new approach to community outreach created by the Berks County AAA. It is designed to help older adults, their families and caregivers in underserved areas in the county by taking programs directly to their neighborhoods.

"This program is a wonderful example of how partnerships within communities can open doors to help maximize the efforts of existing programs," said Duke. "This new initiative will help support Berks County AAA in assisting older adults to live and age well in their communities."

Berks County AAA is administering the new effort through the Family First Resource Center, a senior center in Reading.  It has also partnered with local churches and organizations to provide sites that are convenient and accessible for older adults. They also utilize educational programs and nutritional services.

"Senior Center Without Walls is designed to go to the people and will help provide socialization and nutritious meals," said Duke. "We will be able to reach more older adults in more communities with this new program by using sites established through community partnerships." 

The Jamestown Village Community Room will offer programs every fourth Monday. Other sites will include New Hope Baptist Church, where programs will be held on the third Thursday of each month, and St. John's United Christ Church, with programs offered every first Monday.

Learn more about local services for older adults by visiting the Department of Aging online at www.aging.state.pa.us and select "Your Local Resources."

Media contact: Christina Reese, 717-783-1549

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging