Positive changes ahead for Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center
On a typical weekday, older adults at the Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center might play bingo, join an exercise class, use a computer or spend time talking with friends. For many members, the center is a dependable place for connection, activity and support.
A $143,000 capital improvement grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging will help provide repairs and upgrades to the building, located at 4744 Frankford Ave. This will make the facility safer and more accessible for older adults who use it every day.
The center is regularly filled with the sounds of several activities. These include conversation around a table or music from a seasonal celebration. Those moments are part of what makes the building so important to the community. Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center gives older adults a dependable place to be active, see familiar faces and feel connected to the neighborhood. The planned improvements will help ensure those everyday experiences can continue in a space that is more comfortable and easier for all members to navigate.
“For many of our members, this center is part of their routine and part of their community,” says Jim Crawford, center director of Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center. “They come here to see friends, take part in programs and find support. This grant will help us make sure they can continue to do that in a building that is safe, comfortable and welcoming.”
The building work will include:
• Roof repairs to address potential safety hazards and protect the building long-term
• New heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment to provide more consistent temperatures and improve indoor air quality
• Security and structural improvements to strengthen the building and make indoor program areas more functional
• Equipment and improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, helping members with physical limitations move through and use the building more safely
• Nonslip and high-visibility materials will be used to improve mobility, visibility and safety
These upgrades are expected to improve both the appearance of the center and the everyday experience for its members. “The work may be focused on the building, but the real impact will be on the people who use it every day,” Crawford says. “A reliable heating and cooling system, a secure facility, and better accessibility will help our members participate with greater comfort and confidence.”
The Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center offers social, recreational, educational and social service programs designed to enhance the quality of life of older adults. It is funded in part by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and operated as a community program of the Northeast Community Center for Behavioral Health.
The center serves a neighborhood where many older adults face financial challenges, social isolation and limited access to dependable resources. In addition to providing a safe place to gather, it connects members with information and assistance that can help them remain healthy and independent.
Regular activities include bingo, board games, exercise, meditation and mindfulness, computer access, and use of exercise equipment and a pool table. Members also take part in health education, nutrition presentations, medication information sessions and seasonal social events.
Practical support available through the center has included help with utility bills; counseling; senior housing information; and guidance on Medicare, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other public benefits.
The grant comes as the center celebrates Senior Center Month, a time to recognize the role community centers play in helping older adults stay active, connected and engaged. At Peter Bressi, the planned improvements will preserve more than a building. They will strengthen a trusted neighborhood gathering place for the people who depend on it.
Peter Bressi Northeast Older Adult Center, located at 4744 Frankford Ave., is open weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. Stop in any time, or call 215-831-2926.
