Episode description:
There are over 11,000 senior centers in America. They serve over a million adults every day, offering a wide variety of programs and services, from meals and nutritional programs; to social and recreational activities; intergenerational programs; and fitness and wellness classes. Most of us probably know about our local senior center, but do you know much about them? How do they actually work? What does it take to provide all their services every day? In today’s episode we look behind the scenes of one dynamic center, the Westbury Senior Center on Long Island, with Executive Director Andrea Padinha and Assistant Director Robin Lombardo. Andrea and Robin will tell us about their vision for improving the daily lives of seniors; what older folks say they need and desire most; and how they collaborate with a host of partners, professionals, staff and volunteers. It’s a demanding and often complex task—especially at a time of challenging fiscal constraints for nonprofits. But Andrea and Robin will give us an insider’s view of just how the job gets done.
About the Guests:
Andrea Padinha is Executive Director of Senior Citizens of Westbury. She began her career at the Center 15 years ago as Homebound Coordinator and worked her way up to the Executive Director’s position. The program Andrea designs each semester includes exercise classes, nutrition workshops, legal presentations, entertainment and meal service program. She also spends many hours promoting and coordinating fundraisers for her Center to facilitate these activities. Andrea collaborates with the Executive Board, Village of Westbury officials, School District personnel and community and promotes the Senior Center at each meeting.
Andrea’s passion is giving back to her community and teaching others to “pay it forward.”
For many years she was a Girl Scout troop leader, religious education teacher, class mom and advocate for special needs young adults. She has organized countless food, clothing and toy drives for individuals in need around her area. Currently, Andrea sits on the Westbury Carle Place Chamber of Commerce Board and coordinates fundraising events for them.
Robin Lombardo has over 40 years of expertise in geriatric care and management. Currently, she is the assistant director of the Westbury Senior Center, specializing in Grant writing. As a Master’s level Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, College Educator and Certified Dementia Practitioner, she often shares experiences where best practices and culture change can flourish.
Her career and research practice has placed her front and center in current trends for enhancing the quality of life for people along the aging journey.
For Robin, having moments of joy with the people she serves and bringing field-tested, enhanced tools to the community neighborhood is an honor and life passion. Her collaboration has been published in many academic papers, and she has given numerous presentations (often keynotes) at regional and national conferences. She has had the pleasure of working on every level of care for seniors.
Contact: andrea@westburyseniorcenter.org
robin@westburyseniorcenter.org
Website: https://westburyseniorcenter.org/
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