June 2013
save our senior center funding
May 13th, 2013
Mayor Hales and City of Portland, Oregon, Commissioners: Stop cutting funding to the “Aging and Disability Pass Through” budget!
The City of Portland faces a budget crisis and is making hard cuts across the board. However, senior services funding has been cut five out of the last seven years, despite the increasing number of low-income seniors in need.
The Mayor’s proposed budget to fund Senior Centers at only 50% would eliminate over one quarter of each agency’s budget for seniors, drastically reducing capacity to provide activities and classes, (including transportation to and from the centers, which are designed specifically for those who are physically and financially unable to attend other PP&R Senior Recreation Programs). Some agencies may have to eliminate their entire activities program, which would be devastating to their community and the “regulars” who absolutely depend on these life enhancing services, including their daily hot meals.
The budget cut would also severely restrict the senior centers’ contracted agencies to administer their volunteer programs and leverage community resources, valued at over a half-million dollars in 2012.
The City has communicated that everyone is facing tough cuts. However, funds for senior services are already at a bare bones level, and must be preserved or these services will not be able to sustain themselves.
Help us reach our goal of getting 100 seniors/advocates for seniors to attend the City Budget Hearing this Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 pm at Warner Pacific College. Mayor Hales and the City Commissioners need to hear that a 50% reduction to senior centers is not an acceptable outcome to the current budget process.
Saturday, May 18th, 3:00-5:00pm
Warner Pacific College
2219 SE 68th Ave.
Portland, OR 97215
We also encourage as many seniors as we can get to also attend the Thursday’s Budget Hearing:
Thursday, May 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
City Hall – Council Chambers
1221 SW 4th Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
You’re Invited to Monthly Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser: May 18th, 8:30am-11am
Enjoy good food and company. Support the Hollywood Senior Center. All you can-eat pancakes, with sausage, eggs, juice, coffee and real maple syrup for $4.00 for adults and $2.75 for children. Visit with volunteers from St. Stephens Church and Hollywood Senior Center.
Hollywood Senior Center has joined Facebook. Check out our page to stay up to date on the latest activities, events and programs at the Center. Read, share, comment—we are keen for your feedback.
