Prospect Hill Senior Services has been serving senior citizens since 1974. St. John-St Matthew Emanuel Lutheran Church has been our sponsor since our inception and our agency is housed in the church. Our mission is to enable senior citizens to stay in their homes and communities with appropriate support for as long as possible. This community support prevents premature institutionalization.

Description:
The program has grown to include a senior center which serves breakfast & lunch and has a variety of activities: chorus, piano lessons, tai chi, yoga,massage, trips, parties, intergenerational programs, arts & crafts, computer lab. For many years, we have provided a day training site for developmentally disabled adults who help in the packing and serving of meals. Consumers also participate in the activities of the senior center. We also deliver meals-on-wheels to over 215 homebound seniors in Brooklyn. We also have a meals-on-heels program which is delivered by volunteers from The League Center. Developmentally disabled adults, supervised by League staff, deliver meals to homebound clients on foot. This has enhanced both programs, allowing The League Center consumers to serve the community, learn new skills and interact with the seniors. It also helps Prospect Hill and the meals-on-wheels program. In 2001, we started a Friendly Visiting program to help our more isolated homebound clients. It was very successful, resulting in many new friendships, which still thrive today.

History:
In 1974, the congregation of St. John-St. Matthew Emanuel Lutheran Church decided that one of their ministries would include a "luncheon club" for seniors in the immediate community. Prospect Avenue Senior Center was started with 23 seniors coming in for lunch. The center was run by volunteers. The first director was Rev. Dan Ramm, who would later be instrumental in starting the Borough Wide Inter-Agency Council on the Aging. In 1984, Prospect Ave. Senior Center joined with Parks Hill Community Services, a case management agency and became "Prospect Hill Senior Services Center".

Over the years we have worked closely with other organizations such as The Brooklyn Chinese-American Assn. to provide services to elderly Chinese, The Southern Brooklyn Palliative Care Network, a partnership with major hospitals and community organizations to serve chronically ill seniors in the community. We have also worked closely with YAI, The League Center, Lifespire, etc. to enable developmentally disabled older adults learn new skills. An art project funded by The Haym Salomon Foundation resulted in our "American Experience" quilt being exhibited at the United Nations. A collaboration with The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music has given us the opportunity to create a senior chorus and give piano lessons to our members. We are now looking to the future and enhancing our wellness programs to attract younger seniors.

Contact person: Jane Barry, Executive Director, (718) 499-9574, (email)
Office fax number: (718) 768-5336

Address:

283 Prospect Avenue Brooklyn, New York, NY 11215 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: F to 15th St/Prospect Park or N/R to Propspect Avenue