Senior Summit Presents Programs, Information to Woodbridge Seniors

The following information was provided by the Township of Woodbridge.

Senior Month 2013 Continues in May with Special Township-Wide Programs & Events

 Senior residents from throughout Woodbridge Township attended the 7th Annual “Mayor’s Senior Summit” where Township senior’s expressed opinions on a diversity of topics and offered ideas and suggestions on how to improve senior-related programs and services throughout the community.

The 2013 “Mayor’s Senior Summit” engaged senior residents in an exchange of ideas in an open discussion on topics ranging from expanding and improving services, programs and facilities at the new Woodbridge Community Center (WCC), Evergreen Senior Center in Colonia, and other Township senior facilities… to improving communications with senior residents on emergency preparedness, weather-related alerts and consumer safety… to suggestions on improving public safety such as cracking down on speeding in residential areas…to “Quality of Life” issues to include home maintenance and repair, and expanded physical fitness and wellness programs and seminars for senior residents.

“The senior residents attending the ‘Senior Summit’ were aware of the available Township-sponsored services and programs and, more importantly, expressed opinions about what they feel the Township should provide in the way of services and programs.  The Mayor’s Office and staff were impressed with the opinions, suggestions and ideas offered on how to address Township-wide issues, along with an understanding of what needs to be done to improve the ‘Quality of Life’ for everyone,” Mayor McCormac said. 

In addressing the senior residents, the Mayor’s Office and Administration staff, reviewed suggestions made at last year’s “Senior Summit,” noting that many recommendations had been implemented, including a revised menu of programs and services at the Evergreen Senior Center in Colonia, the availability of the year-round “Tommy Tool Box” home repair program for senior homeowners, increased computer training classes for seniors at Township senior residences and facilities, the availability of specialized educational and informational programs and

Seminars geared to senior residents, and expanded physical fitness and Wellness programs – including the introduction of the Skyline Mini-Golf at the Woodbridge Community Center, along with expanded fitness and wellness instruction at the Woodbridge Community Center.

 “The ‘2013 Mayor’s Senior Summit’ was extremely helpful and will allow the Community Center staff, Health and Senior Services Director, Recreation Department Director, and Town Hall to provide not just better services, but the types of programs, services and information that senior residents want and need.  Simply put, addressing senior concerns does not have to be complicated.  Some of the suggestions we will implement include expanded health and wellness services, a crackdown on speeding near senior centers and facilities, and the availability of a ‘Buy Local’ discount card that can be used to purchase goods and services at participating Township businesses,” the Mayor said.

Representatives from the Woodbridge Township Department of Health & Senior Services, the Division on Aging, Multi-Service Program on Aging, the Department of Recreation & Resident Services, the Woodbridge Police Department, Department of Public Works, the Evergreen Senior Center, the Woodbridge Community Center and the Arenas at Woodbridge, the Woodbridge Township Library, and many Woodbridge businesses and medical care facilities that offer services to Senior residents participated in the 2013 “Mayor’s Senior Summit” and were on-hand to provide information to Senior attendees.  

Additionally, each of the Township senior clubs and residences, the various AARP chapters, along with active senior adults and residents, invited to and/or attending the 2013 “Mayor’s Senior Summit” included:

• ·         Avenel Senior Club – Joan Partyka, President
• ·         Colonia Senior Club – George Vassillades, President
• ·         Fords/Keasbey Senior Club – Helen M. Nash, President
• ·         Port Reading/Sewaren Senior Club – Margaret DiSpirito, President
• ·         Woodbridge Senior Club – Frank Laurina, President
• ·         St. John Vianney Senior Club – Madeline Heiser, President
• ·         AARP Woodbridge Chapter – John Gonyo, President
• ·         Residents from Maple Tree Manor (Avenel), Greiner Towers (Colonia), Olsen Towers (Fords), Cooper Towers (Iselin), Finn Towers (Woodbridge), Stern Towers (Woodbridge), Adams Towers (Woodbridge) and the Evergreen Senior Center.