Fifty Upstate is pleased to announce that the Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) has awarded Spartanburg Regional Foundation with the Spartanburg County Senior Services grant.
The ACOG grant entitles Spartanburg Regional Foundation to provide home delivered meals, group dining, health promotion, transportation, minor home repair and chore/yardwork.
Fifty Upstate will coordinate these services with their consortium of partner program providers. Spartanburg Regional Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent; Mobile Meals will serve homebound seniors; Spartanburg Regional Transportation Services will shuttle seniors to and from the seven centers; and Spartanburg County Parks will coordinate social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness activity programming. The Boiling Springs Community Center, the City of Spartanburg/the City of Spartanburg Parks and Recreation Department, the Middle Tyger Community Center and Spartanburg County/Spartanburg County Parks Department will provide space to house the seven centers.
Fifty Upstate, the result of years of planning and research by numerous community partners, seeks to enhance the quality of life for older adults through a consortium of services, programs and resources that promote healthy living and independence. Retaining and attracting retirees into an integrated system of service, promoting involvement and designing programs that meet the changing needs of the area’s growing 50-plus population is their priority.
“We as a community must seek out ways to consistently engage our 50+ residents, not only to keep them active and healthy, but to benefit from their life experiences through volunteer and leadership opportunities,” shared Yvonne Harper, executive director of Fifty Upstate.
Center programming serves all seniors regardless of economic capacity – those struggling with limited resources and no family support, and those with resources and family support. In 2018, 23,086 meals were served to 253 home-bound seniors; 88,087 transportation miles were logged; 439 participants enjoyed over 63,501 hours of activities and programs; 20,501 meals were served in a family-style setting; and 1,610 shelf meals were provided when our Centers were closed for holidays or inclement weather.
“Spartanburg’s older residents want to live in an age-friendly community with innovative programs and services and Fifty Upstate is fortunate to be able to provide coordinated programs and services, promoting independence and making healthy happen, together,” added Harper.