RESOURCES
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Suffolk County
RSVP offers people 55 and older opportunities to volunteer at a wide range of organizations, gaining skills while making new social contacts to help others in their community.
There is no RSVP currently serving Nassau residents, but the
Long Island Volunteer Center
516-564-5482
acts as a hub for individuals to connect to nonprofit organizations that need volunteers.
Nassau County
Town of Hempstead, Department of Senior Enrichment
https://hempsteadny.gov/562/Senior-Enrichment
516-485-8100
With 15 Senior centers and 100 Golden Age Clubs, the department provides activities and trips; Golden Learning Opportunities and Healthy Lifestyles programs; Summer Senior Recreation Program.
Town of North Hempstead, Project Independence
www.northhempsteadny.gov/pi-home
516 -869-6311
Through Project Independence, the Town provides social and recreational activities; senior talk group and social discussion group; exercise classes; volunteer activities; programs at various senior centers.
Town of Oyster Bay, Senior Citizen Services Division
https://oysterbaytown.com/departments/community-and-youth-services/
516-797-7916
Life Enrichment Center
45 East Main Street
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-922-1770
The Life Enrichment Center, located downtown in the hamlet of Oyster Bay, offers active seniors a wide variety of programs and services that promote socialization, including lunch, educational classes and lectures, games, parties trips and special events. Round-trip bus transportation for the Daytime Senior Program is available Monday to Friday for senior residents of Oyster Bay and the surrounding areas. The center's evening program "After Hours" offers customized activities for older adults who are looking to get out for an evening.
The department also offers cultural enrichment programs, including workshops, Music Under the Stars Concerts, and Distinguished Artists Concert Series. Social and recreational activities through senior citizen clubs include bridge, line dancing, tai chi, yoga, exercise, ballroom dancing and painting. There are also monthly day trips, holiday celebrations, theater trips, baseball games, a free Senior Summer Program, and seasonal outings.
City of Glen Cove, Senior Center
www.glencoveseniorcenter.com
516-759-9610
The center offers a nationally recognized Lifelong Learning Program, weekly discussion groups, computer training, cultural arts celebrations, excursions, and intergenerational programs. The “Inspirational Afternoons” program brings in seasoned professionals who give presentations on diverse topics. The Virtual Senior Center program enables members to enjoy small, interactive online classes available at the center as well as by computer in their own homes. The center offers multi-faceted wellness classes, workshops, health screenings and a lunch program. It provides a continuum of care for older adults, serving vulnerable populations with specialized services, including a social-model adult day program that also is a caregiver respite center for families living in the community.
City of Long Beach
www.longbeachny.gov (Click on Departments, Youth & Family Services, then Senior Services)
516-705-7401
Operating out of the Magnolia Community Center, Long Beach Senior Services supports a dynamic senior center, offering about 50 wellness, cultural and recreational programs to citizens aged 60 and over. (A copy of the monthly calendar is downloadable from the website.) The city also offers “Senior Tech Thursdays” every other Thursday to help local seniors gain skills with basic computer usage.
Suffolk County
Town of Babylon, Department of Human Services
www.townofbabylon.com (Click on Services, then Senior Citizen Services)
631-464-4340. ext. 200
Four senior centers provide recreational, cultural, health and meal programs. Activities include arts and crafts, computer and dance instruction, painting, billiards, outdoor games, parties and trips.
Town of Brookhaven, Senior Citizens Division
www.brookhavenny.gov (Hover over Services, then Seniors under Human Services)
631-451-9191
The Rose Caracappa Senior Center provides workshops, book discussion, card-playing, Mahjongg groups and exercise classes. The Town hosts an annual summer Senior Picnic, and the 27 senior citizen clubs also provide social interaction through activities, luncheons, special events and trips. Technology classes offer lessons in how to use computers or smart phones for pictures, emails and shopping.
Town of East Hampton, Department of Human Services
https://www.ehamptonny.gov/254/Human-Services
631-329-6939
Activities include arts and crafts, parties, bingo, meditation, yoga, walking club, bridge, knitting workshop, mahjongg, music, movies, trips and other social and educational activities. Nutrition programs are offered at the East Hampton Senior Center and the Montauk Playhouse Community Center.
Town of Huntington, Senior Division
https://www.huntingtonny.gov/Seniors
631-351-325
In addition to serving as a Suffolk County Nutrition Site, the Senior Division offers a wide variety of events, activities, trip and community clubs. The Town also offers many recreational activities at a second location, the Senior Beach House overlooking Centerport Bay.
Town of Islip, Senior Citizen Services Office
https://islipny.gov/departments/senior-citizens-services
631-224-5340
Six senior centers and 17 senior citizen clubs provide social, recreational, and educational programs. Lunch programs also are offered at the senior centers.
Town of Riverhead, Senior Citizen Department
www.townofriverheadny.gov
631-722-4444
The senior citizen center includes a large dining room, auditorium, state-of-the-art kitchen, an assortment of additional rooms for billiards, computers and crafts, as well as a wide-screen TV room and conference room. The department offers a variety of programs and activities, such as bingo, line dancing, aerobic exercise, arts and crafts, video movies and parties for special occasions. Breakfast and lunch meals are also provided.
Town of Shelter Island, Office for Senior Services
https://www.shelterislandtown.us/senior-summary
631-749-1059
The senior center is the focal point for social, recreational, and educational programs weekly. The weekly Silver Circle social group offers conversation, games, bingo, yoga, exercise, music, crafts and celebrations of all kinds.
Town of Smithtown, Senior Citizens Department
https://www.smithtownny.gov/193/Senior-Citizens-Department
631-360-7616
The senior center offers many classes and recreational programs, including a book club, computer classes, art and crafts, exercise, strength training and line dancing, health fair, a quilting group, jewelry-making, 8-week Yoga and Zumba courses. Activities are also offered through nine senior citizen clubs.
Town of Southampton, Senior Services Division
https://www.southamptontownny.gov/150/Senior-Services
631-728-1235 (Hampton Bays Senior)
Senior citizen clubs offer trips and events. Activities at three senior centers include book groups, chair yoga, stretch-and-tone classes, and lunches.
Town of Southold, Human Services Department/Senior Center
https://www.southoldtownny.gov/111/Human-Services-Senior-Center
631-298-4460
The center offers Teatime gatherings, arts and crafts, poetry readings, bingo, exercise classes and birthday celebrations. Meal programs are also provided.