Senators Sampson and Díaz Announce Historic Funding

For Immediate Release

August 11, 2010

Senators Sampson and Díaz Announce Historic Funding For Senior Center Infrastructure Repair

Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson (19th SD) and Senator Rubén Díaz (32nd SD), Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging, today announced that twenty-five (25) Senior Centers throughout New York State would receive $545,000 in funding for capital improvements. 

Senator Díaz said “As Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Aging, I am deeply grateful to Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson for his support in making these funds available.  Senior centers provide many important services for older New Yorkers including meals, social programs and educational opportunities. These services keep seniors active, independent and living in their own homes.”

“The senior population in New York is steadily growing and it is our responsibility to do everything within our power to ensure they age with dignity, and with the security afforded by adequate senior centers. We must always strive to protect our most vulnerable and deliver the vital services they need to enjoy the safe, healthy and happy lifestyle they deserve. I applaud my colleague, Senator Rubén Díaz for his strong advocacy on behalf of seniors across our state," said Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson.

The funding for these capital projects will be distributed in two phases.  The $545,000 announced today is the first phase of the project and award letters notifying the recipients have been mailed by the New York State Office for the Aging. The second phase will be announced in the near future.  Requests from the centers were received in response to a letter Senator Díaz mailed to 600 senior centers across New York State soon after he became Chairman of the Aging Committee in 2009. 

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