BOSCOLA ANNOUNCES GRANTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO HELP SENIOR CENTERS 

BETHLEHEM (AUG 16) - State Sen. Lisa Boscola today said $4 million in grants is now available to help senior centers improve their facilities and services.

“Senior centers are a vital resource for many older individuals,” said Boscola. “These grants will boost their quality of life by providing centers with the means to make their accommodations even better.”     

The funding awarded to senior centers will be divided into two categories: capital assistance projects and capacity building projects. Assistance projects will receive up to $200,000 toward renovations, repairs, equipment, furnishings or acquisition of land or facilities and construction. Building projects will receive up to $10,000 to help pay for administration or fund raising or help in growing programs and services.   

“Having two different funding options when applying will allow senior centers to address their individual needs,” Boscola said. “I strongly urge all centers to apply for this financial support.”  

The Department of Aging will be accepting applications until Sept. 22, 2006. Funds will be awarded to eligible senior centers on a rolling basis.

Senior centers that wish to apply can find additional information on the Department of Aging’s Web site, www.aging.state.pa.us, the Pennsylvania Senior Centers’ Web site, www.paseniorcenters.org or by contacting one of Senator Boscola’s District Offices in Bethlehem (610) 868-8667, Stroudsburg (570) 420-2938, Whitehall (610) 266-2117.

Senior centers with questions about the application itself should contact the Department of Aging at (717) 783-6207 and ask to speak with a representative from the Division of Consumer Community Support Services.

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