Senior Center                         

The East Providence Senior center serves individuals 55 years of age or older, or any age and disabled. It provides directly or makes arrangements for the provisions of the following services: outreach, information, referral, socialization, education, health services, transportation, volunteer opportunities, nutrition, and recreation. The center has community partnerships with over twenty-five different community agencies.

The center is a tri-level complex. The ground level consists of: the main entrance which opens to the lobby and information/reception area, fitness center, library, coffee café, computer lab, multi-purpose room, seminar room, dining room, and gift shop. Located in the upper level of the complex are administration offices, a conference room, and a health center. Billiards rooms are located in the lower level and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) occupies an office, which oversees all volunteer recruitment.

In January 2002, the center was awarded National Accreditation. This is official recognition that the center meets professional and national standards for senior centers. It also assures older adult consumers, their families and caregivers that we are operating out of a common senior center philosophy. Less than 1% of senior centers nationally are accredited. The center was reaccredited in 2009.

The City of East Providence provides the main source of funding for the senior center. Other sources of revenue for the center are from programs, membership fees, gift shop, and donations. The Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) allocates monies yearly from the state budget.

The center is a meal site for a congregate nutrition program. Ocean State Dining is a federally funded grant program from the Department of Aging, Title III B funds. The grant provides for a hot, nutritious meal in a social setting. East Bay Community Action Program Inc. is responsible for all of the East Bay and Cranston Senior Services is contracted for the meals. The suggested donation per meal is $3.00; the meal includes a hot entree or sandwich, soup, salad, vegetable, dessert, and coffee.

The senior center has a full-time director, a registered nurse, an administrative assistant, and an elder information specialist. Part-time employees include: dining room manager, an assistant dining room manager, receptionist, and three transportation drivers. Over one hundred (100) volunteers work in the capacity of wait staff, recreational leaders, cashier, librarians, and receptionists. Several volunteers serve on the senior center’s advisory board. Their input is greatly valued and many ideas have been implemented. The volunteers are the backbone of the center and they create a wonderful and welcoming atmosphere.

The center is open Monday—Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Guests are welcome at to visit the center at any time.