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Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Award of First Senior Center Grant

Posted on: Tuesday, 31 October 2006, 12:00 CST

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Pittsburgh/Homewood Senior Community Center is the first to receive a grant under a $4 million statewide program designed to strengthen and improve senior community centers, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

"Pennsylvania's more than 630 senior centers serve as an important resource for our state's 2.4 million older adults," Governor Rendell said. "When we invest in our senior centers, we are investing in the health and well-being of all older Pennsylvanians."

On behalf of Governor Rendell, Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower today presented a check for $59,500 to city officials and representatives of the Homewood Senior Community Center. The center will use the grant to improve the facility and create a fitness center.

"By encouraging its members to embrace fitness, the Homewood Senior Center is helping seniors to lead longer and healthier lives," said Secretary Dowd Eisenhower. "Studies show that 30 minutes of physical activity at least three days a week can improve brain function, limit the risk of Alzheimer's disease by up to 60 percent, and reduce the symptoms of depression."

Pennsylvania is home to the nation's third-largest population of older adults. Governor Rendell's proactive investment through this grant program will help centers be prepared to serve a growing number of older Pennsylvanians as Baby Boomers reach retirement age.

Under the grant program administered by the Department of Aging, senior centers were invited to apply for funding in two categories: capital assistance and capacity building. Capital assistance projects will receive up to $200,000 toward renovations, repairs, equipment, furnishings or acquisition of land or facilities and construction. Capacity building projects will receive up to $10,000 to help pay for administration, fundraising or help in expanding the programs and services offered at senior centers.

Before the application period closed in late September, the Department of Aging received 403 grant applications; 302 for Capital Assistance projects and 101 for Capacity Building projects. Additional grants will be announced in the coming months.

The senior center grant program is just one component of Governor Rendell's aggressive agenda to support and expand services that assist older Pennsylvanians. Governor Rendell also has signed bills to expand eligibility for PACE/PACENET prescription benefits and create PACE Plus Medicare, the nation's most comprehensive prescription program.

In addition, Governor Rendell has worked to expand the home and community-based services that help seniors to remain in their own homes and delay the need for expensive facility-based care. Governor Rendell also championed the historic property tax reform plan under which older adults will be among the first to receive benefits during 2007.

Under Governor Rendell's leadership, the Pennsylvania Lottery has grown by more than $1 billion. The continued growth of the Lottery has allowed the state to provide greater benefits to older Pennsylvanians.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

CONTACT: Gary Miller 717-783-1116 Anne C. Bale (Aging) 717-783-1549

Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Gary Miller, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116; or Anne C. Bale, Aging, +1-717-783-1549

Web Site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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