Older Adults
Article

Dear County Executive: how will you sustain services for older adults?

Community Solutions Team
Transforming data into progress
Additional Contributors
No items found.
September 13, 2022
Read time:
Download Fact Sheets
Register now
Share this resource
Subscribe to our Newsletter
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Download this as a PDF

By: Rachelle Millner, West Side Community House & Karnese McKenzie, St. Martin de Porres Center  

Karnese McKenzie

Dear County Executive:  

We are the co-chairs of the Council of Neighborhood Leaders, a collective of local neighborhood centers that collectively assist thousands of families in Cuyahoga County. One of our most delicate populations we serve includes seniors; our elders and often most vocal partners in our neighborhoods.  

Before the pandemic, we recognized that the needs of older adults would be seriously impacted by the virus. Not only did we consider how this would affect their health directly, we knew most importantly that many depend on the interaction we offer thru our senior centers that help many avoid isolation. In response, we pivoted our services to deliver meals to all seniors, including those accustomed to coming to our centers. We did drive-by check-ins, and weekly calls, as the reality of a digital divide grew more stark for our seniors. COVID Response emergency funds and some donations from local supporters were extremely helpful with food, gas expenses, and some support around the digital connectivity inclusive of some equipment to help some of our seniors.  

Still the pandemic, while not at the same level as it was two years ago, the challenges are nowhere close to being fully addressed. Seniors still need access to services, and support. Even while we welcome seniors to our centers, COVID is not yet fully gone. Managing vaccinations, ongoing boosters, the digital divide, and best mode of operations through all these challenges continue to stretch our resources. Our staff, now affected by similar challenges of their own, are also looking for hybrid opportunities for employment with higher pay that our centers cannot afford unless our funders increase funding and address our structural and operational needs.

 Senior centers often depend on 6-8 sources of funding for sustainability.

Most of our centers have been in existence for 80 plus years, nationwide senior centers often depend on 6-8 sources of funding for sustainability. And while often some may not recognize the impact of our services and long-term resilience, Cleveland is an aging city and now more than ever the VALUE of our centers should be at the forefront of attention. We hope you too recognize such value.  

Rachelle Millner, West Side Community House & Karnese McKenzie, St. Martin de Porres Center  

West Side Community House

Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland
Download Fact Sheets

Ohio Statewide Data

Download

Wood County

Download

Wyandot County

Download

Williams County

Download

Washington County

Download

Vinton County

Download

Wayne County

Download

Warren County

Download

Van Wert County

Download

Union County

Download

Tuscarawas County

Download

Stark County

Download

Summit County

Download

Trumbull County

Download

Shelby County

Download

Seneca County

Download

Scioto County

Download

Ross County

Download

Sandusky County

Download

Richland County

Download

Putnam County

Download

Huron County

Download

Portage County

Download

Preble County

Download

Pike County

Download

Pickaway County

Download

Perry County

Download

Noble County

Download

Paulding County

Download

Ottawa County

Download

Morrow County

Download

Muskingum County

Download

Morgan County

Download

Montgomery County

Download

Meigs County

Download

Monroe County

Download

Miami County

Download

Mercer County

Download

Marion County

Download

Madison County

Download

Medina County

Download

Mahoning County

Download

Lucas County

Download

Lorain County

Download

Logan County

Download

Licking County

Download

Lawrence County

Download

Lake County

Download

Holmes County

Download

Jackson County

Download

Knox County

Download

Jefferson County

Download

Hocking County

Download

Henry County

Download

Highland County

Download

Harrison County

Download

Hancock County

Download

Hardin County

Download

Greene County

Download

Geauga County

Download

Guernsey County

Download

Hamilton County

Download

Gallia County

Download

Fayette County

Download

Fulton County

Download

Franklin County

Download

Fairfield County

Download

Erie County

Download

Darke County

Download

Defiance County

Download

Coshocton County

Download

Delaware County

Download

Cuyahoga County

Download

Crawford County

Download

Columbiana County

Download

Clinton County

Download

Clermont County

Download

Clark County

Download

Champaign County

Download

Carroll County

Download

Athens County

Download

Ashtabula County

Download

Brown County

Download

Butler County

Download

Belmont County

Download

Auglaize County

Download

Ashland County

Download

Allen County

Download

Adams County

Download

Lake County

Download

Geauga County

Download

Cuyahoga County

Download

All Municipalities Geauga County

Download

All Municipalities Lake County

Download

All Municipalities Cuyahoga County

Download

Thompson

Download

South Russell

Download

Russell

Download

Parkman

Download
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Download report

Subscribe to our newsletter

5 Things you need to know arrives on Mondays with the latest articles, events, and advocacy developments in Ohio

Explore the fact sheets

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique.

No Related Fact Sheets

Explore Topics

Browse articles, research, and testimony.