TRUMBULL COUNTY SCOPE, United Way serve seniors

For every $1 from United Way, SCOPE can secure $4 in federal and state grants.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Janet Schweitzer says the four senior centers and one adult day-care center are a network within a network within a network.
"It all weaves together," said Schweitzer, executive director of SCOPE Inc. of Trumbull County. "When our clients have a problem, they know where to go. They can either talk to other seniors or use our information and referral resources, or we can help them find the answers. We are a family."
Developed 41 years ago, SCOPE is just one of the 29 health and human service agencies to receive at least a portion of their annual funding through the United Way of Trumbull County.
The agencies supported by United Way provide more than 140 programs to more than 137,000 individuals each year.
SCOPE operates senior centers in Warren, Howland, Niles and Farmington, as well as an adult day-care center in Warren, Schweitzer said. That's all in addition to the in-home services provided to more than 1,000 clients throughout the county.
Schweitzer estimates that between 5 percent and 6 percent of SCOPE's annual budget comes from local donations to the United Way, but for every $1 received from United Way, SCOPE is able to secure $4 in federal and state grants.
"Money like that is not the kind of thing that falls like rain," she said. "We work hard for all of it."
Senior centers
Much of the United Way money, Schweitzer said, is used to provide services to home-bound clients such as home repairs, personal care and more.
Perhaps the most visible sign of SCOPE are the senior centers, where seniors gather for socialization and services like health assessments and treatments, education, and more.
"The centers are very similar in many ways, but the programming is defined by what the people want," Schweitzer explained.
In Farmington, she noted, seniors start their week with a country breakfast on Mondays, while many also meet regularly to create quilts. In Niles, clients like to dance more, she said, noting they enjoy line dancing and tap dancing, while the senior ladies in Howland have created two Red Hat Societies.
"Just like different cities offer different things for residents, our senior centers offer different programs based on the wants and needs of the seniors there," Schweitzer said. "There's a different emphasis on programming at each of the centers."
Social services
But the hub of each of the centers, she said, is the social services provided, especially the information and referral services.
"Clients can call about any type of question they may have," Schweitzer said. "They may have a question about an insurance claim, or they may have a legal question of some sort. We may not be able to answer the question for them, but we can lead them to an agency or a person who can."
As the population of Trumbull County continues to age -- 20 percent of county residents are over 60, Schweitzer said -- the need for such centers and their programming will only continue to grow, she noted.
News reports continually surface about how younger people are leaving this area but how the elderly are staying put, she said.
"They are staying because this is their home, this is where their friends are," Schweitzer said. "As they continue to age, they are going to need a little more help, and who is going to be here to give it to them?"
slshaulis@vindy.com