CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

New York Nonprofit Press

Seniors Send 15K Letters to Protect Title XX Funding

Friday, 02 December 2011

Publication & Publisher: NYNP

For each of the past two years, Governor Paterson and Governor Cuomo have proposed a cut of about $25 million would have closed 105 NYC senior centers depriving upwards of 10,000 older New Yorkers of their local senior center. Yesterday, seniors from across New York City gathered to send a message -- over 15,000 messages to be precise -- that they don't want to be threatened again. The 15,000 letters - in English, Spanish and Chinese, ask Governor Cuomo not to propose the cut again as he prepares his FY2013 budget.

Yesterday's City Hall press conference brought together a broad array of elected officials including the Department for the Aging Commissioner, State Assembly Members and Senators, City Council Members, seniors and advocates.

"The Department for the Aging funds nearly a third of its senior center budget through the use of Title XX discretionary funds," said Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli. "Any loss of state funding would impact seniors profoundly — we would potentially have to close upwards of 105 senior centers across the five boroughs. It is critical that this funding remain in the State's FY '13 budget."

"I am proud that last year the Assembly successfully fought to fully restore state funding for New York City's senior centers and I am committed to continuing that fight," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. "Senior centers are a lifeline for tens of thousands of New York City residents, many of whom are living in poverty. Seniors in New York City must have access to the critical resources they have come to rely upon."

"Last year we protected seniors from facing the Title XX cuts and I am proud to stand with these elected officials and seniors to once again defend what should never be threatened," said Senator Diane Savino, Chair, Committee on Families and Children.

"For too many years we have been fighting the same battle to save our senior centers by restoring Title XX," said Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Chair, Committee on Aging. "With all of your help, we have won that fight. But we must focus our time and energies on addressing a wide-range of pressing senior issues."

"Over 15,000 letters sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo from seniors across the city sends a strong message about how important senior centers are in the lives of older New Yorkers," said Igal Jellinek, Executive Director, Council of Senior Centers and Services. "Cutting these funds would devastate the senior center network assisting older New Yorkers for 40 years. There would be 2.5 million less meals provided annually. This would also leave thousands of older New Yorkers socially isolated which could accelerate physical and mental deterioration. We ask Governor Cuomo not to cut Title XX funding again which would close 105 NYC senior centers resulting in about 10,000 seniors losing their local senior center."