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

Queens Chronicle

Pols to Cuomo: Don't slash senior funding

Thursday, December 8, 2011

By Anna Gustafson

Publication & Publisher: Queens Chronicle

Thousands write letters in support

Afraid history may repeat itself, legislators and senior advocates are making a preemptive strike this year against cuts to senior centers and are urging Gov. Cuomo to maintain funding for elderly services.

Last year, Cuomo threatened a cut of about $25 million that would have closed about 105 senior centers in the city, including in southern Queens. After the annual budget dance and many a rally, the senior centers did not close, but people like Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Ozone Park) and Igal Jellinek, executive director of the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, are worried about cuts this year that could impact seniors.

"We're facing a budget deficit of three and a half billion dollars, and there's no question that there has to be cuts," Goldfeder said. "But we have to keep in mind that the cuts have to be responsible and appropriate, and we shouldn't be balancing the budget on the backs of seniors."

After receiving hundreds of comments from elderly constituents about the need to preserve funding for centers, Goldfeder sent a letter to Cuomo this week, asking that he not cut the Title XX discretionary funding that goes to many centers across the city. Cuomo had proposed to completely eliminate discretionary funding for the centers, which senior advocates said would have had a devastating impact on older residents, many of whom rely on the institutions for food and social interaction.

The Council of Senior Centers and Services recently launched a letter writing campaign in support of funding for the centers, and more than 15,000 letters were sent to Cuomo in support of the institutions. Jellinek said this "sends a strong message about how important senior centers are in the lives of older New Yorkers."

"Cutting these funds would devastate the senior center network assisting older New Yorkers for 40 years," Jellinek said of the elimination of Title XX money. "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."

Many legislators have promised their support to maintain senior funding, including Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver (D-Manhattan).