Forest Hills Could Lose Two Senior Centers

Two senior centers in Forest Hills will be closed if the state cuts Title XX funding in its annual budget this year, the and the Both centers, which currently serve hundreds of seniors from Forest Hills and surrounding neighborhoods, depend on the state funding to pay for meals and services.

The centers, along with more than 100 other centers around the city, are all on a list compiled by the New York City Department of the Aging of centers that need Title XX funding to keep their doors open.

Several state legislators, including State Sen. Toby-Ann Stavisky, D-Whitestone, and Assemblywoman Grace Meng, D-Flushing, have come out strongly against the cuts, saying that seniors in Queens and across the city have nowhere else to go.

“I am fully aware that painful choices have to be made this year but our senior citizens are our community’s most prized possession; we cannot and must not deprive thousands of seniors of meals, friendship, and other essential programs,” Meng said in a statement. “Alternatives can be found and my colleagues and I will do everything we can to make sure this proposal is overturned.”

Stavisky agreed.

“These cuts are unconscionable and will hurt our most vulnerable seniors,” said Stavisky.  “For many seniors, these centers are their lifeline, providing for hot meals, socializing, exercise and educational programs.  Without them, senior citizens will be further marginalized and isolated.  We cannot afford to cut services to this population because they need the help, and because once these cuts are implemented they will never be reinstated; centers that are shuttered will never reopen.”

Susan Rabinowicz, director of the Young Israel of Forest Hills Senior League, said the loss of the center would be devastating to the seniors in the area.

“We’re the only glatt kosher senior center in the community, this would be an absolutely devastating loss,” Rabinowicz said. “This would mean a massive deterioration of the health of the seniors in this community.”

Rabinowicz also pointed out that the next closest kosher senior center — in nearby Middle Village — was also slated to close.

“How are these people going to travel to other centers? They’re frail, some of these seniors,” she added.

The Senior League currently furnishes more than 15,000 kosher meals every year.

Rabinowicz said the cuts were far too draconian, and urged Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reconsider.

“How can they close 102 centers when there are only 256 in the city?” she said. “I know what kind of job we’re doing and I know how much we help people. It’s not a matter of us, it’s a matter of New York State. Maybe our governor can find the money and help us.”