Park View, D.C.

I recently learned that the D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA) is reducing funding for the city’s senior wellness centers from their FY2015 levels — meaning that the funding levels will change on October 1st. In reaching out to the DCOA, it was conveyed to me that they are currently reviewing their expected grants for FY2016 and that the incoming grant proposals for the upcoming fiscal year are still being reviewed.

In FY2015, senior wellness centers were allocated an additional $1.5 million for extended hours as compared to FY2014 — meaning later hours and Saturdays. Due to uneven and low participation rates for extended hours, overall funding will be reduced by $1 million for this purpose in FY2016 (or +$500,000 over FY2014 levels).

I’m still digging into what, exactly, these reduced funding levels will mean for each center. I’ve heard that the Ward 1 center will revert back to their original hours and that there will be some reprogramming. I’ll share more as information becomes available.

(Ward 1 Senior Wellness Center on Georgia Avenue.)

Project Director Michelle Singleton kicking off the dedication ceremonies

Ward One’s Senior Wellness Center was officially dedicated yesterday (May 25, 2011) and named in honor of Bernice E. Fonteneau. It’s come a long way since its ribbon cutting in September 2010 and official opening at the end of February 2011.

The ceremony began with a greeting by Project Director Michelle Singleton, who was followed by the Rev. Shirley Cooper, Pastor, Park Road Community Church with the invocation, Sheila Poole, Ms. Senior DC 2010 singing a selection, and a welcome by Jacqueline C. Arguelles, Chairperson, D.C. Commission on Aging.

The dedication ceremony was well attended

Following Ms. Arguelles, John M. Thompson, Acting Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging, Deputy Mayor Beatriz Otero, Health and Human Services, and Calvin Woodland (representing Councilmember Graham) made remarks. After closing remarks by Brenda Williams, D.C. Commission on Aging for Ward One, Fitness Director Deborah Parker led a group of area seniors in aerobics.

The late Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau, for whom the center is named, was a longtime resident of the District of Columbia. According to the event program, she moved to D.C. with her family when she was four years old. Affectionately known as “Miss B,” she was an early supporter of the need for a Senior Wellness Center in Ward One, the Ward she represented when she served on the Commission on Aging.

Deborah Parker leading seniors in aerobics