J - Monroeville

MUNICIPALITY OF MONROEVILLE2012 BUDGETDepartment Number:7100 Department Name: Senior Citizens CenterDepartment Description:The Monroeville Senior Citizen Center, built in 1980, has become the hub of activity forMonroeville and Pitcairn seniors. The Center provides daily activities, services, and programsfor adults 50 years of age and older. The center also serves as an informational bureau forseniors often referring them to other agencies. The senior center is owned by the Municipalityof Monroeville and operated by the Monroeville Council of Senior Citizens, incorporated underan agreement with the municipality. The center has over 3000 members. On average thecenter has approximately 4,500 visits per month with an average of 55,000 visits per year.The center offers a variety of weekly and monthly activities: Social clubs, book club, computerclub, Wii bowling league, shuffleboard league, contact bridge card group, pinochle card group,Man Jongg group, domino group, Wise walk program, arts and craft groups (quilting,woodcravers, crocheting), monthly bingo and luncheon, movies days, instructional classes,computer classes, trips and tours, and seasonal special events.Services offered to seniors include health services, counseling services, income taxassistance and drivers training classes. The free health services include blood pressurescreenings, hearing screenings, and flu shot clinics. Defensive driving classes are offeredseveral times a year by AARP but are presented by local volunteers. Free financialCounseling is also available through AARP. The VITA organization (Volunteers Income TaxAssistance) prOVides free tax preparation to area residents. Local volunteers also provide freecounseling services for Medicare and health insurance issues. Seniors 65 years of age andolder are able to register for both a Port Authority bus pass and Access (subsidized travelservice for seniors).Free bus transportation is offered to Monroeville and Pitcairn seniors for regularly scheduledclub meetings and the monthly bingo held at the center. A weekly shopping service is alsoavailable. This service is greatly used by seniors who no longer drive but need transportationfor shopping, banking, or just socializing with friends. The senior center's bus service providesover 2000 trip per year.In January 2009 the center opened a fitness center. The facility features a great line of seniorfriendly cardio and strength training equipment including Star Trac treadmills, total body crosstrainers, Expresso virtual reality recumbent bikes, and the Star Trac Humansport strengthtraining system. The use of this room is "FREE to all Monroeville/Pitcairn residents 65 yearsof age or older. A minimal fee is charged for adults 50-64 years and nonresident's ages 60+.The center also offers a variety of fitness programs which include: Low impact aerobics, stepaerobics, yoga, tai chi, line dancing, and strength training classes. The center also became aSilver Sneakers site in January of 2010. Silver Sneakers aerobic classes are offered eachday, including Muscular Strength and Range of Movement, Cardia Circuit, and Yoga Stretch.The Monroeville Council of Senior Citizens currently raise additional funds through a monthlybingo, fitness room memberships, special events, and the Silver Sneakers Program. All of thecenter's activities, programs, and services depend on one key element for maintainingsuccess -- Volunteers. Volunteers are found at the heart of all activities. Without the able- 148 -