Silver Connections: A Senior Outreach Program

The Senior Outreach Program provides social, recreational, and cultural activities for LGBT seniors 55 years and older. Monthly Open House sessions are held on the last Tuesday and second Sunday of the month and feature workshops and presentations on issues specific to this population.

Each Open House session ends with a light lunch and an opportunity to socialize.

The Resource Center contains materials on topics such as advanced health directives, legal issues, long-term care insurance, housing, banking/finances, consumer tips, Medicare, health issues, prescription plans, senior centers, and local and national LGBT resources.

Field trips to museums, plays, arboretums, and other cultural activities are regularly scheduled.  This includes a free weekly afternoon concert series September - May.

“Friendly Call Check-Ins” are made to shut-ins and seniors unable to attend the program. These calls provide social contact and identify if there is a need for further assistance.

The Senior Outreach Program partners with agencies and organizations that provide services to the mainstream senior population to take advantage of existing resources.

Community Outreach and Education is conducted in the mainstream senior community to identify isolated LGBT seniors and make them aware of LOFT programming. Additionally, community education is used to educate providers on LGBT issues and assist them in becoming more LGBT-friendly.

The overall goal of this program is to expand social circles and break the isolation experienced by LGBT persons.

Currently, the Senior Outreach Program offers the following services: Monthly Open House Sessions; Presentations/Workshops; Social, Recreational, and Cultural Activities; Resource Center; Health/Wellness Screenings; “Friendly Call Check-Ins;” Community Outreach & Education, Peer Support Group Sessions, Health/Medical Screenings, Health/Nutrition/Wellness Seminars and Workshops, Social Activities, and Educational Outreach.

For information regarding this program, please contact:
Program Director Scott S. Havelka at (914) 948-7173 x12 or at Scott@loftgaycenter.org
Program Director Tanisha R. Simpson at (914) 948 - 7173 x13 or at Tanisha@loftgaycenter.org

This program is made possible by a grant from the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, the New York State Office for Aging, the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the New York State Department of Health. q