The senior center without walls program is a congregate nutrition program offering meals and activities in a community setting rather than a traditional senior center facility. The program’s purpose is to provide nutritious meals to seniors along with social interaction opportunities, education, and activities.  Participation is determined based on the number of meals served, not activities attended.

The Sowega Council on Aging (SCOA) administers the senior center without walls program and has significantly increased meal service to seniors throughout the region since switching to this model in April 2020.  The program has tripled the involvement rate compared to the traditional senior center setting, translating into over 1000 more participants.  As is, the program exceeds all standards required by the Division of Aging Services.  

However, as an Area Agency on Aging, SCOA recognizes the importance of local, in-person activities for seniors, which can help reduce social isolation, depression and improve overall health.  For this reason, the organization is administering a one-time mini-grant opportunity from the Division of Aging Services for interested applicants to help fund local in-person activities for the remainder of SFY2022.

For those interested in applying for the mini-grants, information regarding eligibility, requirements, deadlines and more can be found athttps://sowegacoa.org/mini-grant-application-for-senior-recreation/.