The Greenwood Senior Center has served Greenwood and neighboring communities since 1974 and provides a variety of programs for adults in the areas of fitness, the arts, technology, memory loss, social opportunities and social services, including a daily hot lunch program. In 2006, the Center became a program of the Phinney Neighborhood Association and began a long and bureaucratic odyssey toward what is finally happening: the official transfer of ownership from the City to the PNA.
The PNA been working with the city on the details of this transfer for ten years and have had numerous promises, stops, and starts through that decade. The PNA and the City of Seattle are in final negotiations for the transfer of ownership of the property and the finalization of the contract that will make the PNA sole owner of the property.
Among the GSC’s rich offerings is a nationally-recognized Memory Loss Program that includes support for early-stage memory loss, opportunities to socialize safely for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and cultural and social events specifically tailored for the needs of those with memory loss.
Also housed in the GSC is the invaluable Village Program, which provides a network of support including volunteer services, trusted business referrals, and social engagement. This framework empowers people to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love while staying active and engaged as they age.
Christi Beckley, PNA’s new Executive Director, stated “Looking ahead, we are enthusiastically thinking about the ways we can redesign and reconfigure the GSC property to serve more of our neighbors in ways that reflect the PNA’s values. As the future unfolds, we will be conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and will engage the community in the ways that most make sense to determine those needs. We will be keeping you updated as the process moves forward and solicit your input when we start planning our next phases.”
“In the short term, our primary concern is keeping our community safe from the COVID virus, while providing vital services to seniors. Since COVID hasn’t gone away–even as vaccination rates increase–we remain cautious in our reopening strategy and appreciate your patience and understanding. Supporting our community’s seniors is important to us and we will continue to find ways for us to come together, even when we have to be apart.”
When the GSC does re-open, it will be fully accessible. Thanks to a grant from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, the PNA was able to installed a lift that connects the main floor to the basement. This means that community members who use an assistive device will be able to go anywhere in the GSC with greater ease.
