Programs for Seniors
Community Elders Program
…where community elders are safe, socialize with peers and participate in activities including computer learning, a ceramics studio, music and workshops with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, trips, assistance with social services, a nutritious mid-day meal, and intergenerational activities with the collocated child development center.
The Respond Community Elders Program provides a full complement of services designed to help low to moderate income Camden residents of all cultures who are age 60+ to maintain active, involved lifestyles. Our professional bilingual staff works to help obtain the economic and social benefits to which our seniors are entitled. 12,500 individual services are provided annually.Helping to keep Seniors Active
The major objective of the program is to help older residents stay physically and mentally active and in good health so that they are able to continue to live independently and avoid costly nursing home placement.Senior Center Provides Programs
The Respond Linden Adult Social Day Care Center is located at 9th and Linden Streets in North Camden. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each weekday, and provides a place where elders can meet and socialize with their peers as well as access a wide range of direct and referral services, social and recreational activities and a balanced noon-time meal.
Daily activities and program components offer opportunities for recreation, exercise, art, ceramics, crafts, health and nutrition education, special events, field trips, excursions for shopping, intergenerational and volunteer opportunities. Computer learning is helping to lead the seniors into the 21st century. Nourishing hot lunches are provided by the Camden County Nutrition Program through SCUCS, a peer agency. Our day center helps seniors, many of whom are in their 80's & 90's, to be alert, interested, involved and recognized as valued members of their community.Intergenerational Experiences
As a result of the adult day center's location in the same building as a Respond preschool child care program, our seniors and children often participate in joint activities in art, music, reading and special events. Both groups are enriched as a result!Supportive Services
Health screening, workshops on issues that impact the lives of seniors, assistance with benefits, and home visits are just some of the special support services that are provided by a caring staff. Limited transportation is available for trips to social service agencies, the Social Security office, shopping, healthcare facilities, and community events. Staff members often accompany elders when requested to do so.Program Costs
There is no charge to qualifying program participants who attend the Linden Elders Center. A small donation is requested by the provider of the noon meal. Center support is provided by federal funding through the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Division of Senior and Disabled Services and the Camden County Peer Grouping dollars. Matching funds are provided by members of the Haddonfield United Methodist Church by private donations and fund raising efforts.
Jobs for Seniors Who Want to Work
Respond has been fortunate over the years to attract and keep staff who are rich in life experience. Our older workers are a very important and integral part of the staff and provide many valuable services at many of our centers.Jobs in Senior Centers
The senior paraprofessional workers in our elders program provide peer counseling and support to our program participants. Often they provide a sounding board for seniors who are reluctant to share their problems and concerns with family members or their adult children.Jobs in Child Development Centers
In our child development centers, seniors hold many and varied staff positions, and provide an intergenerational extension of the family for our children. Seniors can be seen working not only in the classroom, but also in food preparation and in special programs-giving piano lessons in the school age center and the custom sewing of linens at home for infant and toddler nap times, for example.Training Seniors for Jobs
Respond has been fortunate to receive assistance employee referrals from the national Experience Works! Program, the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Foster Grandparent Program. Respond in turn helps to train these workers in current child development and adult program practices to help them become more qualified and employable in unsubsidized jobs. Many of our senior workers transition to become Respond employees when their subsidized placement is finished. Many remain with us until their "second retirement," with several Respond veterans of twenty or more years of service numbered among them.
The Value of Seniors
A Recognized Community Resource: without the valuable services of our senior workers much of what we are able to accomplish would be impossible. Our centers, our staff, and our constituents of all ages are enriched by this association.Contact:
For Community Elders Program:
Linden Elders
400 No. 9th Street
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 541-8742For Jobs for Seniors:
Respond, Inc.
532 State Street
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 365-4403
Copyright © 2008 Respond Inc. All rights reserved.
