SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—Jewish Family Service’s Aging and Wellness program was recently awarded a $20,000 grant from Our Aging Society Program of The San Diego Foundation. The funds awarded on March 1, 2013 will support the Cyber Café at the College Avenue Center and transportation through On the Go to and from the College Avenue Center through February of 2014.
Brenda Bothel, Divisional Director of Aging and Wellness shared, “Older adults are often isolated and detached from daily socialization, with no ability to access transportation and essentially detached from the community. This recent grant will provide essential funds that will assist in our ability to increase access to socialization activities among older adults”.
The Aging & Wellness Services of Jewish Family Service delivers programming to more than 4,000 older adults annually across the country’s most densely populated areas. The extensive services offered by Jewish Family Service sustain the quality of life and independence of older adults.
“Jewish Family Service,” said Bothel, “is committed to the delivery of high-quality, research based, services that allow seniors to “age in place” by maintaining the ability to live in their own homes, and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.”
The project will leverage the capacity and coordination of Jewish Family Service’s College Avenue Center and On the Go transportation service by providing older adults with access to the Center’s state of the art Cyber Café. The Cyber Café, bridges the digital divide for older adults who often lack computer literacy by providing OASIS classes, Brain Fitness Program, Russian ESL Classes, employment resources, and workshops. While the On the Go program of Jewish Family Service provides reliable transportation solutions for older adults, reducing a major barrier for participation in socialization activities. The College Avenue Center, located near San Diego State University, engages older adults in exercising mind, body, and spirit through fun and innovative social, recreational and educational programming. Each year the center results in more than 32,000 visits to programs and activities.
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Preceding provided by Jewish Family Service San Diego