Los Angeles County is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all of its residents, especially seniors and aging adults. To this end, the county has developed a range of services, programs, and supports tailored to their needs. One such program is WISE Senior Services, a multi-service, private, nonprofit organization founded in 1968 by volunteers and community members. Initially known as Westside Independent Services to the Elderly, WISE is dedicated to enriching the lives and promoting the well-being of older people in the Los Angeles area, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
It was even designated as the “31st Point of Light” of President George Bush's Thousand Points of Light Program, which recognizes institutions that participate in community volunteer service. AARP is another program that is worth mentioning. It is the largest nonprofit program in the country dedicated to maximizing the quality of life of Americans over 50. It promotes the creation of more than 100,000 beds in long-term care centers in Los Angeles County and has recently expanded to include San Bernardino County.
Last week, Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) celebrated its fifth graduation from Careers for a Cause (C4C). The Office of Small Business (OSB) has partnered with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to support efforts to increase hiring opportunities for diverse small businesses. WISE & Healthy Aging continues a long tradition of service and outreach in West Los Angeles and surrounding communities in the Big City and County of Los Angeles. It receives revenues from a paying private client program as well as from the California State General Fund, the California State Department of Aging, Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services of Los Angeles County (through the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended) and the Department of Aging of the City of Los Angeles. In 1972, WISE Senior Services was instrumental in establishing the first senior center in Santa Monica.
The Los Angeles County Commission on Aging (LACCOA) advocates for older adults in LA County by advising and making recommendations about their needs and well-being to the Board of Supervisors and other county departments that provide services to them. The TLA50 program was initiated by the California State Library to help libraries better serve older adults on issues related to aging and longevity. The Los Angeles Public Library website provides people with free access to resources and information so that everyone can succeed in their personal and professional lives. With all these programs available, seniors and aging adults in Los Angeles County can be sure that they have access to all the resources they need.
