Program areas at West Chester Area Senior Center
Daily meal programs: breakfast & lunch are served 5 days/week & meals are planned with the guidance of a licensed dietitian. Most lunches are hot, providing seniors with their most significant meal of the day. Breakfast is free, and lunch is provided for a voluntary donation of 2/day. Most seniors eat for free & our programs provide an inclusive environment of socialization & decreased isolation. Corner cabinet: our "corner cabinet" food distribution program offers seniors free weekly "choice grocery shopping" with access to fresh fruits & vegetables, proteins, dairy products, breads & grains, non-perishables, & well-balanced frozen meals. We average 400 visits to the cabinet monthly with an increase of 15% in the recent past. On average, each Senior leaves with 50 lbs. Of food weekly. We also offer personal and household supplies as well as pet food to our members. Health & wellness programs: health & wellness programs include exercise & fitness classes for all levels 3 times/day, 5 days/week, with a focus on increasing stamina, flexibility, & balance. We collaborate with volunteer professionals - nurses, physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, & physical therapists - to offer presentations focused on ideal nutrition & overall well-being. Information assistance & referrals: seniors rely on our services that connect them with critical resources for medicare & medicaid enrollment with help from certified counselors. They also receive assistance with veteran's benefits, social security, home health care, transportation, rent rebates, home repairs, mobility assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes), and even free tax return preparation with our certified aarp volunteer partners. In 2023, wcasc earned: "4-star rating" from the prestigious charity navigator, the world's largest and most-trusted nonprofit evaluator; "top-rated nonprofit" honor for the 6th consecutive year, designated by "great nonprofits-; nextdoor "neighborhood fave" at our Senior Center & our 2 book stores we operate in West Chester. Wcasc's consistent and long-term efficiency is evident in its operations with .85 of every 1.00 being spent directly on helping the community's seniors. Wcasc partnered with over 300 volunteers throughout the year who contributed over 30,000 hours of service working alongside the very small staff. Program expenses include food and program materials, utilities and all insurance and occupancy expenses, and directly related supporting salaries.