During the last two weeks, there has been significant media attention regarding the hiring of the new director of the Northampton Senior Center and the potential impact on our programs and activities (“Senior Center shakeup,” April 14-15).
As the chairman of the Northampton Council on Aging advisory board, I assure you that our programs and services are thriving and will continue.
During the last two years, the Northampton Senior Center has experienced a cultural change. There is a stronger feeling of welcome and warmth and an expanded service and activity base. This change came not from one individual but from a team of professional and caring staff who partnered with numerous talented and skilled volunteers to create a new and more positive atmosphere.
The popular Bistro, operated in partnership with the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, will continue. We have plans to expand the hours for our van service and fitness center. A new initiative called EARN (Employment After Retirement Network) that supports and trains people who want or need to work after retirement has been created.
Under Senior Center leadership, committees have been formed to make Northampton a World Health Organization Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly city. These are just a few of our new initiatives.
A number of satellite programs with many new community partners, including Forbes Library, Northampton Neighbors and the Northampton Music School are flourishing. Our monthly group sings take place not only at the Northampton Senior Center but also at Brew Practitioners in Florence, the A.P.E. Gallery on Main Street and at the ConVino Wine Bar in Thornes Marketplace.
The Northampton Senior Center continues to expand and thrive because of a team of staff and volunteers dedicated to meet the needs of the growing and changing over-age 60 Northampton population.
Robert L. Montague
Northampton
The writer is chairman of the Northampton Council on Aging.