The Joslyn Center helps valley seniors live healthy, fulfilling lives
The Joslyn Center provides comprehensive programs and services to people aged 50 and older in Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and the surrounding communities. The organization assists seniors in living healthy, fulfilling lives by offering programs to increase health and fitness, providing opportunities to socialize and by connecting seniors to information and resources.
While on-site programming has always been at the heart of the Joslyn Center’s mission, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the organization to explore ways to serve seniors remotely. The center started offering programming through YouTube and Facebook Live and saw an immediate interest in its online offerings. Staff discovered that there were a lot more seniors who were isolated prior to the pandemic than they realized. Virtual programming helps those who are homebound feel more connected.
“This is the future of senior centers, if you are really interested in serving senior wherever they at,” said Jack Newby, the Joslyn Center’s executive director. “Isolation and loneliness cause the same health consequences as smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.”
The Joslyn Center has opened its doors for in-person programs again but remains committed to providing virtual programming for those who cannot get to the center or are not yet ready to return to public spaces. The organization has launch Joslyn Television. The YouTube site includes calisthenics videos, interviews on topics of interest to seniors, chair yoga and other videos. Joslyn Center is also providing instruction on how to use technology such as Zoom, computers and iPhones.
Recently, The Joslyn Center received a grant from the James Bernard and Mildred Jordan Tucker Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation to assist with the cost of updating restrooms for ADA compliance. The organization has had to make many upgrades to prepare for reopening and to keep members safe. They have added hand sanitizing stations, air scrubbers to heating and A/C units and invested added staff time in keeping the facility sanitized. These extra expenses while struggling with fundraising have been challenging, according to Newby.
“This pandemic decimated our fundraising for a couple of years,” Newby said. “Some foundations have recognized it and helped, but we still need support for regular programs.”
In the Coachella Valley, seniors are often viewed as being wealthy and not having as many financial concerns, according to Newby. However, many seniors are on a fixed income and experiencing an increase in HOA fees, food prices and day-to-day expenses. Those who have been retired for more than a decade may find they don’t have enough money to get by.
Community members who wish to help support the Joslyn Center can donate on their website or attend the organization’s next fundraiser. There are also opportunities for those who wish to volunteer for the center’s food distribution programs, special events or at the reception desk.
Members who wish to return to in-person programs are welcome. Masks are required and temperatures are checked at sign-in. Members should check the organization’s calendar and sign up early as attendees are limited to adhere to safety protocols. Members can also make use of the organization’s fitness center, which is outfitted with gym-quality equipment.
The Joslyn Center has also started strategic planning and is reaching out to the community to research what is most needed and wanted for programming in the future. While Newby never expected to transition to virtual programming, he feels that expanding the organization’s reach has been a silver lining in the challenges they have faced over the past two years.
“Our mission hasn’t changed, but the execution of how we accomplish it is expanding it,” Newby said. “It’s been a big learning experience, and I think it’s exciting.”
For more information, visit joslyncenter.org or call (760) 340-3220.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. Learn more at iegives.org.
