Seniors at Coffield Community Center Keep Moving Despite Budget Cuts

Since opening in 2000, Silver Spring’s has offered bingo, guest speakers, arts and crafts, informational speakers, games, music, exercise classes, health screenings and more as a part of their “Gwendolyn Coffield Seniors” programming. But now, as with many County services, that is changing.

“Today [January 20] is actually the last day of Neighborhood Senior Programs at this center,” said Coffield Center recreation specialist Derrick Felton. “We’ll still run some components, like Senior Fit, which we do with Holy Cross Hospital, but we can’t do all of it any longer.” One of the more popular events - day trips - now originates from another Silver Spring location for seniors, the on Forest Glen Road.

While the number of formally scheduled programs is significantly decreased, that doesn’t mean that local seniors will be sitting still - they have chosen to continue some of the programs on their own. “Technically, the line dancing class was canceled two years ago,” said Felton “But last fall, our seniors restarted the program by themselves!” The group even performed at Strathmore as a part of MLK day activities last week. About 20 seniors were enjoying line dancing in one of the Center’s upstairs rooms on Thursday.

Other seniors were enjoying a group lunch, while playing cards. “I’ve been coming here since it opened,” remarked Charlotte Coffield “The budget cuts have affected our whole senior program, but we need to keep moving – that is the key to the aging process. We enjoy each other, so if we have to do it ourselves…” she chuckled.

Coffield and other seniors have attended some of the in the past to voice their continued need for program funding, but understand the difficult situation. “We keep in constant contact with Mr. Leggett. I’m sure he’d like to do more, but he has some tough decisions to make,” she said.

One of the most popular offerings for seniors at the center is the fitness room located on the first floor, and has not been affected by the budget cuts. For $50 per year, area seniors can join the Silver Sneakers program, granting them access to the exercise facilities.

Margaret Foley, just two weeks removed from surgery had just finished doing 20 minutes on the treadmill.”This place keeps you mentally alert and physically fit,” she said. “If it wasn’t here, I’d have to walk around City Place or Wheaton mall, but there wouldn’t be any kind of social exchange there, which is important too!”

Seniors interested in participating in programs at the Coffield Center should call 240-777-4900 until the Center’s website is updated.