Because we are committed to serving seniors in our community no matter what their economic level is, we offer financial assistance toward memberships, program fees, and keeping our service costs low. Therefore we need to raise additional funds to cover the costs. Consider this story: An older gentleman came into the center and was inquiring about our dining program. Our staff person asked if he would like some lunch. She gave him the menu calendar, but he said he had macular degeneration couldn't read it without his magnifying lenses which were at home. She read the menu for him and got him registered for lunch. He sat with two other senior members during lunch and seemed to have a good long conversation with them. After quite a while the staff member asked the gentleman if he would like to sign up for the meal program on a regular basis. He got tears in his eyes and told her what a difference this had made in his life. He doesn’t have much money, one of the reasons is that his wife is in the nursing home and is not doing well. He is living in an apartment all by himself now and doesn’t cook much or have anyone he can talk to. He now has found people his own age he can relate to, a good meal and someone who can help him with his finances and living arrangements. He said we have changed his life. Our dining program and senior advocate have helped make this possible. Another story: Another gentleman, whose wife is also in and out of nursing homes with chronic medical issues, spends much of his time taking care of her. They also don’t have much money; most of her funds go to her medical care and the little money he gets from social security doesn’t even cover their monthly rent payments. He had been invited by one of our Senior Center members to come and play table tennis on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Senior Center. He loves to play, but couldn’t afford the membership ($34/year). We got him set up with a scholarship and now he participates on a regular basis. He tells us that being able to get away from the stress of dealing with his wife’s illnesses and being able to be with others is such a relief for him. Donations to our scholarship fund have made this possible for him. 2009 Support Our Seniors Campaign Case for Support A. Membership & Program Financial Assistance: Currently the Rochester Senior Center is providing up to 125 individuals with >$5,000 in Financial Assistance for Membership, program fees, activity costs and trips. We anticipate that this will increase dramatically as the number of seniors needing assistance enters this age group and the availability of funding is known. A Senior Center Membership provides older adults with health promoting activities and programs that create new relationships and foster independence. B. Senior Dining Support: A major component for independent and healthy living is the consistent consumption of nutritious food. Many older adults either can’t afford a good hot meal, and/or are unable to prepare one themselves. For these people the Senior Center has a daily noon congregate dining program. The Senior Center will serve over 50,000 meals at our 8 different dining sites throughout Rochester. Without these meals many of the older adults would not be able to maintain their own independent living and would need to move into some sort of costly assisted living or skill-care center. Our goal is to provide $30,000 in underwriting for this mission-driven activity. C. Advocacy and Support Services: Many times elderly individuals need one-on-one assistance to remain living independently in their own home or apartment. Our on-site social worker works to keep seniors independent, allowing them to live a full life while assisting them to reduce their need for other services and specialized care. Helping with medical issues, governmental programs, tax issues, housing questions, and emotional support all fit into independence they seek. We also work with elders from the Somali and Hispanic communities to increase their health, independence and English-speaking ability. D. Life Enrichment and Wellness Programs: For many elderly people their world shrinks into a very small compartment that revolves only around them. The lack of outside stimulation and relationships begins a slow decline into depression and physical deterioration. Intellectual stimulation, skill-building, physical fitness, recreational, relationship development and educational activities are more than nice activities for these older adults. These programs and activities are the life-line for them to connect with the ‘outside world’ and to maintain their independence. The Senior Center is a place to gather for older individuals, meet new people and to make friends. Last year 6,484 older adults were involved in programs and activities; fees do not come close to covering the full cost of the programs.