New York City Senior Centers: A Unique, Grassroots, Collaborative Advocacy Effort

Abstract

This article represents a unique, collaborative effort among a university, an advocacy organization, and community-based service providers to develop a deeper understanding of their field of service (senior centers) and integrate the findings into a strategic advocacy endeavor. A population of 155 New York City senior center administrators/directors comprised the sample for this study. Although some studies have attempted to highlight the demographic characteristics and choice predictors of senior center participation, no studies have evaluated the challenges faced by the administrators or their opinions on the sustainability of this service-delivery model. Faced with dire budgetary cuts and forced closures, the collaborators sought to generate evidence of the impact and influence of senior centers. The study found a rich diversity of programming in senior centers, highlighted the current operational challenges faced by senior centers, and illustrated the professional developmental needs of administrators. The results provided the framework for recommendations to legislators and government agencies with respect to both policy and practice challenges and contributed to significant policy changes at the government level in New York City.

KEYWORDS:

• aging
• senior centers
• directors
• administrators
• leadership
• programs
• utilization
• boomers