A Rally and a Spark of Hope For Senior Centers

The public was outraged when state government voted two weeks ago to . The funding reduction, $25.2 million, would force the City to close more than 100 senior centers throughout the five boroughs – 25 in Brooklyn alone – putting an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 seniors at risk of hunger and social isolation.

The proposed funding cut would come directly from the Department for the Aging (DFTA), which provides an estimated one-third of overall funding for senior centers.

One senior center, Maria Lawton Senior Center, located at 400 Hart Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, also was targeted for closure.

“We stand on the shoulders of these seniors; they are the backbone of our community,” said  City Councilmember Letitia James, who represents Fort Greene/Clinton Hill and parts of Bed-Stuy. “These parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have paid their dues and their lifelines – New York City senior centers will not close without a fight.”

However, all may not be lost yet for the future of the city’s centers. It appears as though Albany may be listening to the communities’ outcries, as on Monday, state lawmakers are now proposing to restore most of the $25 million in funding that Governor Cuomo has tried to cut.

This possible change of heart amongst lawmakers has not come without the community’s piercing voice of discontent. However, ongoing community efforts are needed to seal the deal.

This Friday, March 18th, at 11:00 am, on the steps of City Hall, New York City and State representatives will hold another rally in opposition to senior center closings.

If lawmakers can persuade the governor to join them, city Commissioner for the Aging Lilliam Barrios-Paoli says she’ll likely be able to absorb any city cuts without closing centers.

“That’s probably the most hope we’ve had in the last few months” she said on Monday.

Attending the rally are State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Letitia James, State Democratic Minority Leader John Sampson, State Senator Eric Adams, State Senator Kevin Parker, Council Member Jumaane Williams and others.

The lawmakers are asking for the community's ongoing support at the rally.