Title
From the Director, Department on Aging, requesting authorization to increase the 2011 Contract with Bethesda Community Senior Citizens Center, Inc., by $10,000, from $85,000 to $95,000, to provide programs in minority senior centers.
Body
DATE: June 30, 2011
TO: Sup. Lee Holloway, Chairman, Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
Sup. Peggy West, Chairperson, Committee on Health and Human Needs
FROM: Stephanie Sue Stein, Director, Department on Aging
RE: Request for authorization to increase by $10,000, from $85,000 to $95,000, the 2011 contract with Bethesda Community Senior Citizens' Center, Inc., to provide Programs in Minority Senior Centers authorized under File No. 11-34 (a)(a)I respectfully request that the attached resolution be scheduled for consideration by the Committee on Health and Human Needs at its meeting on July 20, 2011.
The resolution authorizes the Director, Department on Aging, to increase by $10,000, from $85,000 to $95,000, the 2011 contract with Bethesda Community Senior Citizens' Center, Inc., to provide Programs in Minority Senior Centers authorized under File No. 11-34 (a)(a).
The Bethesda Community Senior Center located at 2845 West Fond du Lac Avenue serves as a gathering place for seniors living in the community. Through its contract with Milwaukee County Department on Aging, the Center (1) reduces isolation by providing opportunities for interaction between older adults, (2) offers educational, recreational, and cultural programming, (3) serves as a nutrition site offering mid-day meals administered through the Milwaukee County Senior Meal Program, (4) fosters connections between seniors and the community at-large, and (5) provides linkages to community resources.
In late 2010 the Department received a contribution from an anonymous donor in the amount of $10,000 to support the Senior Meal Program at the Bethesda Senior Center. A letter submitted on behalf of the donor states that the funds are for "general purposes without restrictions." Over several months the Department has worked with Bethesda's Executive Director and Board of Directors to identify the needs of the Center and to determine how best the funds might be used to encourage increased participation by seniors at the Center.
If the increase is approved, the anonymous contribution can be used to (1) make physical improvements to the Center including (a) making the main door handicap accessible, (b) purchasing three new handicap toilets, (c) purchasing new carpeting, and (d) painting, caulking, and weatherization; (2) purchasing a commercial stove; and (3) enhancing opportunities for seniors at the Center, including (a) new padded chairs, (b) a flat screen TV, (c) a billiard table, (d) a video game, (e) a piano keyboard, and (e) additional summer entertainment and recreational activities. Without this generous, unsolicited contribution from an anonymous donor the one-time only purchases and enhanced activities it supports would not be possible from the funds available to the Department for its annual contract with Bethesda Community Senior Citizens' Center.
The attached resolution authorizes the Director, Department on Aging, to increase by $10,000, from $85,000 to $95,000, the 2011 contract with Bethesda Community Senior Citizens' Center, Inc., to provide Programs in Minority Senior Centers. It reflects a donation from an anonymous donor interested in enhancing the quality of services provided by the vendor through its contract with Milwaukee County Department on Aging. We urge the Board to approve the proposed increase in funding for the 2011 contract year.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 2-6876.
Stephanie Sue Stein, Director
Milwaukee County Department on Aging
Attachments
cc: County Executive Chris Abele
George Aldrich
Antionette Thomas-Bailey
Jennifer Collins
Jonette Arms
Keith Garland
Nubia Serrano
Mary Proctor Brown
Diane Beckley
Beth Monrial Zatarski
Gary Portenier
Pat Rogers