One in three seniors lack companionship while one in four report loneliness.
Older adults who participate in senior center programs can delay the onset of chronic illnesses and improve their physical, mental, social, spiritual, emotional and economic well-being. Strong social connections, in particular, are linked to better overall health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
However, many older adults in the Lehigh Valley face barriers to accessing essential services and resources. Community hubs serve as gathering places where seniors can connect, engage and access support systems that improve their quality of life.
These easily accessible hubs offer tailored programming, including healthy meals, social activities and essential services. Staff provide guidance and assistance, helping older adults navigate health care, financial aid and other vital resources.
United Way has established 11 Community Hubs to further enhance seniors’ well-being by offering food assistance, health care services and community-driven programs that foster connection and long-term wellness:
Casa Guadalupe Center
218 N. 2nd Street, Allentown
610-435-9902
Easton Area Neighborhood Center
902 Philadelphia Rd, Easton
610-253-4253
Greater Valley YMCA, Slate Belt Branch
315 W. Pennsylvania Ave, Penn Argyl
610-881-4470
Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
520 E 4th Street, Bethlehem
610-868-7800
Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder Senior Center
995 State Route 903, Jim Thorpe
570-325-4980
Lehighton Senior Center
243 S. 8th St, Lehighton
610-337-0633
Lehigh Valley Active Life
1633 W Elm Street, Allentown
610-437-3700
Palmerton Senior Center
501 Delaware Ave, Palmerton
610-826-4505
Panther Valley Senior Center
90 E. Catawissa St, Nesquehoning
570-669-9930
Slate Belt Senior Center
707 American Bangor Rd, Bangor
610-588-1224
Weatherly Senior Center
335 3rd St, Weatherly
570-427-8175
This approach is centered in a commitment to a community hub model and place-based investments in areas with the highest concentration of older adults.
United Way Community Hubs Improve Health for Older Adults
After having major leg surgery, Franchesca, age 63, feared she’d never walk without assistance again. After two years of struggling, she turned to her community and found fitness classes at the Greater Valley YMCA Slate Belt.
Greater Valley YMCA Slate Belt in Pen Argyl is a United Way Community Hub—an easily accessible gathering space with programming tailored to older adults. United Way Community Hubs offer connections to healthy food, health care and other resources that can increase quality of life. Participants delay the onset of chronic illnesses and improve their physical and mental health as well as their economic well-being.
After two years, Franchesca continues to attend at least two classes daily including dance fitness, Tai Chi and water aerobics. She celebrates every flight of stairs she climbs unassisted and gives back so Greater Valley YMCA Slate Belt can continue to provide classes and services.
The staff and members make me feel like family. Because of the ‘Y’, I’m mobile again.
Thanks to United Way supporters, the Greater Valley YMCA Slate Belt can offer enhanced fitness classes with upgraded equipment, provide classes for the whole family with garden beds and distribute produce boxes weekly allowing them to serve their members in different ways.
“I love coming to the Greater Valley YMCA to exercise, socialize and just have fun. I enjoy all of the classes, especially aerobics because I love to dance and keep moving.”
Joyce
Slate Belt Resident
Older adults report good or excellent quality of life when they feel respected, are connected to each other and have access to resources.
Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley supports those living with dementia and their caregivers through social interaction and early diagnosis.
Empower yourself or your loved ones with free tools and resources to stay connected to our community in a meaningful way.
In the News
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United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Awarded Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Grant to Support Dementia Caregivers
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley received a $6,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to support the return of the Savvy Caregiver Mixer, expanding social connection, skill building and respite support for caregivers of individuals living with dementia.
