Title
Honoring and Congratulating the Philadelphia Senior Center on the occasion of their 70th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, The Female Society, a Quaker women’s group, founded the Philadelphia Senior Center (initially called the Philadelphia Center for Older People) in 1949 to advance the well-being and personal growth of all individuals age 55 and older in the Greater Philadelphia Region; and
WHEREAS, PSC began as a day settlement for the exclusive use of elderly people by connecting them to services and resources to learn, grow and discover new ways to be actively engaged. Originally located in the Friends Neighborhood Guild, PSC moved in 1952 to 921 N. 6th Street and again in 1961 to its current location at Broad and Lombard Streets; and
WHEREAS, PSC is located in the urban center of Philadelphia. Center City is the heart of the City and the region geographically, historically, culturally, and economically. As an urban center, Center City is the most densely populated of the City’s neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, PSC believes that all seniors should be served and engaged equally regardless of their income, age, ethnicity, language, educational status, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. PSC believes that the greater the diversity of those that they serve and engage, the greater the opportunity for enhancing members lives as well as the organizational vitality of PSC; and
WHEREAS, PSC serves seniors with an emphasis on those most in need; women, minorities, those with functional disabilities, those who live alone, and the elderly with incomes at or below the poverty level. As the third oldest senior center in the United States and one of the largest, members come from every residential zip code in Philadelphia and from the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, PSC offers daily meals and nutrition services, recreation and trips, education and counseling services, information and referral sources and volunteer opportunities; and
WHEREAS, PSC engages in numerous community partnerships, including: Temple University, Interac, Mayor's Commission on Aging, Jefferson Pharmacy School, Lawyers from Cozen O'Connor, Bridging the Gaps, The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, and SEPA Reads.; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, recognizing the importance of its long-term stability in the face of shrinking revenues, aging infrastructure, and an unfunded pension, the PSC Board of Directors decided that it was in the best interest of the senior center to become part of a larger, more stable organization. In 2009, PSC achieved that objective and became a proud member of the NewCourtland Senior Services Network, a subsidiary of the Presbyterian Foundation for Philadelphia. NewCourtland is a non-profit provider of affordable housing, home-and community-based services, and skilled nursing care for seniors in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Joining the network meant that PSC kept its status as a separate 501 (C)(3) with its own governing and advisory boards while availing themselves of the expertise and management support of this larger organization. NewCourtland manages and supports the mission and efforts of the Philadelphia Senior Center, waives its management fees, and is committed to covering any shortfall in the PSC annual budget. Over the past several years, NewCourtland has also funded and overseen major renovations to the PSC facility, including improvements to the kitchen, lobby, gym, art studio, and office space; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and recognize The Philadelphia Senior Center on the occasion of their 70th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Lisa Ciaranca Kaplan as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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