March Positive Change Recipient – Lifelong

A Note from GreenStar:  Lifelong was elected by GreenStar members to be among our twelve 2024 Partners for Change. Lifelong is the March Positive Change recipient.

Lifelong, a Community Center for adults 50 (yes, fifty!) and older, works to carry out its mission to enhance the lives of older adults in Tompkins County. Offerings are provided not only at our downtown location, but at various locations throughout the county, as well as virtually.
The following letter was received by Lifelong shortly after the release of our Spring 2024 catalog:

Just looking over the Spring Catalog and I am so impressed. The variety and quality of these various courses and events is truly outstanding. The diversity of presenters and the inclusion of persons and programs from the LGBTQ+ programs is especially notable and welcome.
I just returned from four days in NYC and I confess I was ” feeling my age”. It is difficult to keep up with my vital teenage grandchildren! But this wonderful catalog lands in my lap and suddenly, I feel totally full of energy. My thanks to you and to all your able staff.

Growing older well is something that we all hope to do, and Lifelong’s goal is to be a valuable and supportive resource as we age. Our health and wellness and creative arts activities, semester-based classes, events, and support and social groups promote mental, physical, and creative growth in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Lifelong is also a center for information and services for those seeking help with technology, taxes, health insurance, volunteer opportunities, and other matters connected with living well after 50.

• Lifelong Learning is our semester-based program of classes and workshops, including topics on everything from Astronomy to Beginner’s Ukulele, or the History of London.
• Lifelong Activities includes several movement programs (yoga, fitness, strength training, Tai Chi) as well as creative arts opportunities (clay, dancing, theatre) and varied social and support groups.
• Volunteers, Connected helps individuals find meaningful volunteer placements in the community by hosting an annual Volunteer Fair, and providing updated listings of nonprofits in need of volunteers.
• Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) serves hundreds of individuals each year by providing free tax preparation for adults age 60+, as well as all people with disabilities, and people of any age who meet income eligibility.
• Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) provides outreach, presentations, and 1:1 counseling to Medicare-eligible people as they navigate health insurance options and seek out the best coverage at the lowest cost.
• Lifelong’s Mosaic Program works to develop offerings that are inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible, and includes outreach to those who may be underserved in our community. The focus of this program extends to several diverse populations including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and people with disabilities.

As people age, the risk of social isolation and associated health problems may arise. At the same time, we are living longer and being given a gift of time, so one of the hopes for many of Lifelong’s programs is for us to embrace this time as a gift, use it wisely and ENJOY IT!

Come check us out! www.tclifelong.org