SENIOR SIDELIGHTS

Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave., will offer the following opportunities: Monday, mind games at 9 a.m., stretch plus classes at 9:30, and knit and crochet classes at 10:15; Tuesday, Bingo with Harbor Light Hospice, yoga ($5) at 10:30 and stretch plus at 1:15 p.m.; Wednesday, mind games at 9 a.m. and stretch plus at 9:30 a.m.; Thursday, mind games at 9 a.m., movies with popcorn at 9:30, yoga ($5) at 10:30 and stretch plus at 1:15 p.m.; and Friday, mind games at 9 a.m., stretch plus at 9:30 and Tai Chi ($5) at noon. Coffee bar every morning, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; fitness rooms open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wii gaming system and air hockey or ping pong every day from 8:30 to 2; and 5 p.m. One-on-one computer or tech tutoring available by appointment. Assistance with Medicare, prescription assistance and many other senior citizen issues are offered by appointment with the center’s licensed social worker, Christine Bridgens. The center is a meal program site offering daily meals Monday through Friday through the Trumbull County Office of Elderly Affairs. Stop by or call for a menu and details. For information or registration, call the center at 330-545-6596.

Guardian Angels of Trumbull County, a volunteer program of the Trumbull County Probate Court, is looking for volunteers. Angel volunteers receive training to become advocates who reach out as friends to seniors who may need a friendly phone call, a visit in a nursing home or a visit at home. Angels also are involved in planning special events for seniors such as health fairs and Make a Difference Day projects. The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Shepherd of the Valley, 4100 North River Road. For information, call 330-675-2521 or go to www.trumbullprobate.org.

Ohio Living Park Vista Senior Center, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, has scheduled the following activities: Monday, community fun day at Boardman Park at 10 a.m.; Tuesday, computer class and brush, knife and needle club, and Petersburg fun day at Petersburg Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m., computer class and beginner, intermediate and party bridge at noon and R.O.M. and balance exercise at 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday, watercolors and smartphone education at 10, needle club at 11 a.m., tap class at noon, 500 bid card club at 1 p.m. and line dancing at 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, woodcarvers at 9 a.m., fun day at Boardman Park at 10, multi-media art and socialization at noon and Wellness Club at 2:30 p.m.; and Friday, basic computer and Youngstown fun day at 10 a.m., Eliminating Clutter workshop at 10:30; intermediate and advanced computer at noon, paint and appetizers by Wonderstruck and chair yoga ($7 or $5) at 1 p.m. Call 330-744-5071 in advance for reservations for all classes and events. Silver Sneakers classes are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Gathering Room. To find out more about Silver Sneakers, or to verify whether your health plan covers the program, visit silversneakers.com. If your health plan does not cover the program, there will be a small fee for each class. For information, call 330-746-2944, ext. 1214.

Ohio Living Park Vista Senior Center, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, will host an appetizers and paint program from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday. Cost is $35 and includes light appetizers, lesson and take home painting. Seating is limited; call the senior center at 330-744-5071 for reservations. The center also is hosting a class to connect mature adults to the world with smartphone technology, Smartphones 101, every Wednesday in October to learn about contacts, texting, email, voicemail and photos.

Senior Corps Retired Senior Volunteer Program, located in First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave., is under the Corp. for National and Community Service. It is a volunteer program with the mission of linking volunteers, age 55 and older, with a variety of volunteer opportunities within their community. There are sites throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties with opportunities such as senior companionship, transportation to museums, meal delivery for homebound seniors and construction. There is no maximum requirement of volunteer hours. There is a short application, and the program coordinator will meet with volunteers to match them with their preferred site based on their interests, skills and location. Volunteers can contact Deborah Cunningham, program coordinator, at 330-480-0352 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email dcunningham@fcsohio.org.

Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a volunteer program that advocates for people who use long-term care services, such as nursing homes or assisted-living facilities, to resolve resident concerns or complaints, is looking for volunteers. Volunteer ombudsmen receive free training and are certified as an ombudsman associate before beginning volunteer work. There are no experience requirements but there is a short application. Background checks are done at no cost to the applicant. Contact Max Bumgardner, volunteer coordinator, at 330-505-2375 for information and an application. Applications are available online at http://www.aaa11.org/volunteer.html.