York, PA — York County Community Foundation’s (YCCF) Hahn Home Fund for Embracing Aging works to improve the way people experience aging in York County by awarding grants to programs that enhance the quality of life for people age 50 and older. Nine grants were recently awarded for programs ranging from health to the arts to entrepreneurism.
“One factor of wellbeing is having a sense of purpose,” said Cathy A. Bollinger, Managing Director of Embracing Aging for YCCF. “We’re excited to support programs that give older adults opportunities to learn and share skills, talents and interests. We’re a stronger community when people of all ages have access to the things they need and want to do.”
YCCF’s Embracing Aging initiative strives to create a community that is a safe and welcoming place to age by changing the way people think about aging and helping organizations improve access to their services. Since its launch in September 2013, Embracing Aging has given more than $1 million to support creating a vibrant York County for all ages.
York County Community Foundation’s Hahn Home Fund supports Embracing Aging, which began with the vision of one woman, Anna Gardner, who died in 1913 and gifted her estate to help care for older women in the community. Over 100 years later, YCCF is carrying out her legacy.
YCCF Embracing Aging Grants:
- $4,870 to York Jewish Community Center (JCC) to support Healthy Aging: A Holistic Approach to Overall Wellness, which engages older adults in proactive life and advanced care planning to protect, prepare, and ensure their future wellbeing.
- $6,000 to Crispus Attucks to support its Second Career Service Entrepreneurial Project, which assists economically disadvantaged older adults in small business development with opportunities for job skill enhancement and intergenerational learning.
- $6,000 to Theatre Arts for Everyone to support Theatre Alive, which brings seniors into their communities to share their stories in a staged reading. The older generations give community members a glimpse into their personal past by touching on topics like games, school, work, and values.
- $5,475 to Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community to support Dementia Friendly America, which promotes a sense of purpose and well-being in those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s and caring for a person with the disease. The goal is to improve attitudes around Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias and encourage aging in place.
- $6,000 to Greater York Dance to support Restorative Dance, which will hold restorative dance classes for mature adults that combine dance with meditation and wellness principles.
- $6,000 to The Pennsylvania State University to support Bridging the Two-Mile Gap with Education and Dialogue. With this grant, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will bridge the gap between OLLI and the wider, more diverse York area older adult community by partnering with the York County Literacy Council and White Rose Senior Center to provide courses that explore topics of diversity.
- $6,000 to CASA to support CASA Embracing Aging Pilot Project, which will provide workshops and counseling on preparing financially for retirement to York County’s older Latino and immigrant community.
- $3,000 to PennCares Support Services to support Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE), which is a wellness and prevention program for older adults, that is designed to help them celebrate healthy aging, make healthy lifestyle choices, and avoid substance abuse.
- $6,000 to White Rose Pickleball Association to build outdoor courts at Veterans Memorial Park in York City. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the USA, especially among those 55 and older. White Rose Pickleball Association intends to build eight dedicated outdoor pickleball courts for community instruction, teams and to host senior games and other tournaments at the facility.
###
