Cuomo's Budget Cut Threatens Closure of 25 Senior Centers in Brooklyn; One in Bedford-Stuyvesant

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed $25 million budget cut to Title XX funding is putting New York City's senior centers in a difficult spot.

Title XX funding has helped to keep senior centers up and running for the past 30 years.

The New York City Department for the Aging released yesterday its list of senior centers that would close if the state cuts $25 million from Title XX.

And the list of centers is long.

If the proposed budget cuts are passed, 105 senior centers in the city will be closed down -- 25 Centers in Brooklyn alone -- leaving eight to 10 thousand seniors guessing where their next meal would come from and leaving them with nowhere to go.

Of the 25 Centers across Brooklyn targeted for elimination, Maria Lawton Senior Center, located at 400 Hart Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, is on that list.

“I’m very disappointed. These services are essential to some of our most vulnerable population,” said Iyana Clarkson, director at the Fort Greene Council, the organizational sponsor of Maria Lawton Senior Center.

"We face a weak economic climate and severe budget cut crisis in New York, it is essential that we not balance the budget by abandoning our older New Yorkers who have helped to shape this city," said Council Member Al Vann.

Senior citizens are the fastest growing population in the city. Additionally, half of the senior population are poor or poverty stricken with an average age of over 77.

“While we recognize there is a state deficit, we don’t believe New Yorkers are calling out for a meltdown of neighborhood-based senior centers," said Igal Jellinek, executive director of the Council of Senior Centers and Services. "Neighborhood centers prevent senior hunger by providing meals, prevent isolation leading to physical and mental deterioration and are a solution to rising healthcare costs as they keep older adults healthy and active.”

 “We provide breakfast and lunch, transportation -- we feed over 700 elderly that would be impacted by any cuts," said said Dr. Sam Pinn, founder and chairman of the Council. “If this passes it will have a devastating effect.”

“He has the choice between cutting various kinds of programs, but our programs help people who are desperate- the elderly and children are simply the most vulnerable.  This proposal would impact our Brooklyn community in a terrible way,” said Pinn.

 If the governor's proposed cut passes, centers will be closed down as soon as April 1, 2011.