About Us
Information about the Johnson City Senior Center
Our Vision Statement
The Johnson City Senior Center is a private non-profit, community-oriented organization that strives to be a trendsetter in providing programs and services that empower adults to improve their level of health, wellness and independence.
Statement of Purpose
The Johnson City Senior Center’s role is to identify and address the needs of current older adults while evolving to meet the needs of future generations of older adults.
Mission Statement
The Johnson City Senior Center is a non-profit community organization that provides socialization, recreational, educational and nutritional programs that empower adults to optimize their health, wellness and quality of life. Johnson City Senior Center is committed to its leadership role in programming and is continually evolving to meet the needs of our community.
OUR CENTER
The Johnson City Senior Citizens Center is an independent, non-profit, community-oriented organization that specializes in programs and services that meet the evolving needs of older adults. Our mission is to improve and enrich the quality of life for older persons to assist them to age in place. We offer a lunch program plus nutrition and wellness programs that allow seniors to remain active, engaged, educated and independent. Our programs are targeted at seniors age 60+ and our focus is to:
- Increase access to healthy foods and nutrition information.
- Increase access to and participation in physical activities.
- Support their social, emotional and mental health.
All our programs and services are designed to help seniors boost healthy living and maintain independence.
A NOTE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP
Although we are a membership-based organization, no older adult will be denied access to our Center due
to inability to pay. Fee waivers and installment plans are available to remove financial barriers and ensure equitable access to services that support health, nutrition, social connection, and independent living.
HealthY OPPORTUNITIES
Access to Healthy Foods & Nutrition Information: we offer a daily lunch program Monday through Friday in collaboration with the Broome County Office for Aging that includes a to-go option that’s popular for those with a family member who is homebound. Lunch is a “voluntary suggested contribution” of $4.00 for those age 60 and over and spouse of any age. No one age 60 and over will be denied a meal for inability or unwillingness to contribute. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards are accepted for lunch payment, and envelopes are provided for privacy when paying.
Healthy eating habits are reinforced through TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) weekly meetings and nutrition education programs at our Center. These programs are provided by Broome County Office for Aging, Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County and Council of Churches’ Faith in Action to increase senior’s knowledge to support nutritious choices. We’re also a distribution site for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons.
With our daily lunch program, providing access to nutritious food, and regularly-scheduled nutrition education, seniors can reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Nutrition education further empowers seniors to make healthy choices to maintain their weight and stay healthy.
Physical Activities: we offer exercise classes so seniors can prevent and/or reduce chronic health conditions (like cardiovascular disease and diabetes), build strong bones (to delay or prevent the onset of osteoporosis) and improve their balance (to decrease their fall risk).
There are ten distinct classes ranging from low intensity, such as Chair Exercises, Stretch Band Exercises, and Balance + Mobility, to high intensity, such as low-impact aerobics and Zumba Gold for Seniors. Additional options include Yoga, Line Dancing, Tai Chi and Ab & Core Chair Exercises. There are fifteen opportunities to exercise every week.
Health & Wellness Services: we offer preventative healthcare through hearing tests, immunization and flu-shot clinics, and mammography screenings.
Social Opportunities
Social, Emotional & Mental Wellbeing: we support the social, emotional and mental health of seniors through: our daily lunch program, volunteer opportunities, and lots of activities that support socialization (guitar groups, painting classes, bridge, pinochle, euchre card group, mahjong, book club, knitting and crocheting, bingo, trips, and more).
We serve holiday lunches for seniors, an annual Senior Picnic, an annual dance, and an annual intergenerational dinner/dance.
We connect 70 seniors with meaningful volunteer work that translates to 7,500 volunteer hours annually at our Center.
We host Broome County Office for Aging’s LGBTQ+ Senior Social Hour that meet monthly at our Center given our central location.
We host a biweekly Widow & Widower’s Support Group and the Alzheimer's Association monthly support group meeting for caretakers.
All our classes and activities help seniors maintain social connections.
These activities also help seniors keep their minds active. This is crucial as we age to slow cognitive decline.
Community Services
Community Services: we host the AARP Foundation for 10 weeks to provide free tax returns for seniors.
The Legal Aid Society of Mid New York visits monthly to provide free legal services for seniors.
We are an election polling site and host an annual Broome Tioga Workforce Job Fair.
We have weekly visits by the Greater Good Grocery Bus (all welcome).
We host cookies and hot cocoa for the Johnson City holiday parade participants and two Cub Scout Dinner Fundraisers.
Information & Education: we have guest presenters for Medicare, Medicaid and Long-Term Care Plans and updates for Supplemental Insurances.
There are also presenters for topics like Budgeting, Avoiding Scams, Estate Planning, Advance Directives, SNAP/Food Stamps, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
AARP Driver Safety is offered (almost) monthly so seniors can save money on their car insurance.