Voice of Ages (April - June 2023)

Senior Centers

The Southcentral/Southeast Focal Point (SCSEFP), administered by the City of Miramar, operates two senior centers designed for those who are 60 years of age or older. The Sunset Lakes location can be found in West Miramar, while the Multi-Service Complex is located in Historic Miramar. Both senior center locations offer a wide array of services such as counseling and support groups, information and referral services, health and wellness, recreational activities and hot lunch provided by Meals on Wheels South Florida.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Anyone 60 years of age or older is eligible for FREE membership at the center. Call and make an appointment to learn more about the benefits of membership.

multi-service complex 954-889-2719

sunset lakes 954-602-3347

ACCREDITATION

SCSEFP, administered by the City of Miramar, is well established as a professionally managed program providing relevant and vital resources for older adults. Accreditation strengthens its position as a leader in promoting positive aging and serves as official recognition that a senior center is meeting its mission utilizing a nationally accepted and professional approach.

The program is partially funded through the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC) with Federal, State and local funds. It serves residents 60 years of age and older of the Southcentral and Southeast Sectors of Broward County.

EMERGENCY HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EHEAP)

This program assists low-income households with people age 60 and older who are experiencing a home energy crisis. Payments are for emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October-March) and cooling (April-September) seasons. Eligible households may be provided one benefit per season. Proof of income and energy emergency is required.

FOOD PANTRY

The City of Miramar Food Pantry is a partnership with our community to ensure residents and their families receive food assistance to meet their immediate needs. When they visit the pantry, residents may receive a variety of shelf stable food items such as soup, rice, oatmeal, peanut butter, juice, and canned vegetables, upon availability.

MIRAMAR ASSISTING SENIORS in their HOMES (MASH)

The Miramar Assisting Seniors in their Homes (MASH) program is a short-term emergency assistance program designed to alleviate a crisis. This program is for income eligible persons over the age of 60 who reside in the City of Miramar. Proof of income and crisis situation is required. Limited funds are available for this program.

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION

The Miramar Senior Transportation Program is designed to provide transportation services for the members of our senior centers. The service is door-to-door and is wheelchair accessible. The program provides the following transportation services; daily transportation to and from both senior centers, medical appointments, pick-up for prescriptions or pharmaceutical needs, grocery shopping at local supermarkets, planned recreational trips, special events, libraries, malls, theaters, lunch outings and more. Doctor appointments must be scheduled during program hours. Transportation Information: 954-889-2719

SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS OF ELDERS (SHINE)

SHINE is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. Trained volunteers assist with health insurance questions, Medicare and Medicaid, by providing confidential one-on-one counseling and information. For an appointment, please call 954-745-9779.

MIRAMAR SENIOR CENTER TREE OF LIFE

Celebration of life comes in many forms. Be a part of the excitement and celebrate your memories supporting our “Tree of Life.” The Tree of Life provides an excellent way to create a lasting memory of moments like milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or to honor those you hold dear. The purchase of a leaf, dove, or a brick on the Tree of Life will allow you to permanently record a special memory of someone who has made an impact in your life or promote your business/organization as a partner in the provision of quality senior services.

BENEFITS OF PURCHASING

dove: $200

Inscription of choice, recognition on the City’s website, 3-month honorable mention in the Senior Center Newsletter “Voice of Ages.”

brick: $150

Inscription of choice, 3-month honorable mention in the Senior Center Newsletter “Voice of Ages.”

SOUTHCENTRal/SOUTHEAST FOCAL POINT ADVISORY COUNCIL

gold leaf: $100

Inscription of choice and an exclusive location on the tree.

silver leaf: $75

Inscription of choice and a premiere location on the tree.

bronze leaf: $50

Inscription of choice and a premiere location on the tree.

Collin Burke

Elsa Sanchez

The Southcentral/Southeast Focal Point Senior Center Advisory Council is comprised of active adults over the age of 60 years old. The council creates an atmosphere that encourages adults to use their skills, while developing their potential for continued involvement in their communities. The Advisory Council promotes independent living for senior adults, so as to maintain their visibility and contributions within the community. The Advisory Council helps with the implementation of nutrition, recreational activities, entertainment, educational, informational programs, health and wellness programs that are designed to overcome the patterns of isolation and depression. Listed are the current council members.

Esther Rivera

Lucia Gomez

Carmen Williams

Edwina Davenport

Genevieve Albert

President: Rose Lester

Vice President: Barbara Brathwaite

Secretary: Alvalia Ellis

Treasure: Joan Solomon

MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEX + SUNSET LAKES recreation + leisure

meet & greet

Morning mingle

Jump start your morning with a mingle.

monday-friday

8:00 am - 10:00 am

are you game?

Let’s Playbingo

Play to WIN!

mondays & fridays 10:00 am

wednesdays 12:00 pm

CRAFT THERAPY

Enjoy the arts through therapy.

wednesdays 10:30 am

game time

Balanced lunches are served on weekdays at 11:30 AM to registered participants by Meals on Wheels South Florida. Sign-up is required the day before.

sing along

Singing in harmony with Mr. Charlie Hudson at the Multi-service Complex. fridays 10:00 am

Let’s get game ready for some friendly rivalry and competition. Come join us for POKENO, cards, dominoes, and much more.

mondays 12:00 pm

tuesdays 10:00 am

TRIPS

HEALTH & WELLNESS Classes + Presentations

Blood pressure checks

o fridays 1:00 pm

soca-fused

o mondays 12:30 pm (msc)

o fridays 11:00 am (ssl)

(Except from June 2nd-July 21st)

Fantastic Fitness

o mondays/tuesdays/wednesdays 10:00 am (ssl)

Water Aerobics

o tuesdays 1:00 pm

June: 6,13,20,27

July: 11,18,25

Historic Miramar Aquatic Complex 6920 SW 35th Street, Miramar

Yoga Mat/Standing

o mondays 9:30 am (msc)

Chair

o wednesdays 1:30 pm (msc)

Aerobics Standing

o mondays 10:30 am (msc)

o fridays 9:30 am (msc)

Chair

o tuesdays 9:30 am (msc)

o wednesdays 12:30 pm (msc)

Strength training

o tuesdays & fridays 10:30 am (msc)

Walk with Ease ® is an exercise program designed by the Arthritis Foundation to help get you in shape. The program is designed to help seniors walk safely and comfortably, improve flexibility, increase strength, and reduce pain. Classes are 1 hour, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre-registration is required Limited to 15 participants per session.

Multi-Service Complex

tuesdays 1:00 pm

wednesdays 10:00 am / thursdays 1:00 pm

april: 25,26,27

may: 2,3,4,8*,9,10,16,17,18,23,24,25,30,31

june: 1

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is a low impact physical activity program designed to reduce pain and decrease stiffness. Routines in this program are gentle range-of-motion exercises that are suitable for every fitness level. This workshop is 1 hour each week for 8 weeks. Pre-registration is required.

sunset lakes

mondays 12:30 pm

wednesdays and thursdays 1:30 pm

april: 24,26,27

may: 1,3,4,7,8,9*,10,15,17,18,22,24,25,29,31

june: 1

*Date changes due to a senior center event or holiday

Multi-Service Complex

mondays 12:30 pm

june: 5,12,19,26

july: 3,10,17,24

Sunset Lakes

fridays 11:00 am

june: 2,9,16,23,30

july: 7,14,21

COUNSELING + Social Work

COUNSELING GROUPS

S.E.E.K.

SENIOR ENRICHMENT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

It’s never too late to attain new skills and accumulate knowledge. Come and be enriched with creative visualization, resources and of course, fun!

mondays 1:30 pm

hot topics

Interested in whats new and trending? Join us for an interactive discussion on important domestic and international issues facing our nation.

tuesdays 12:30 pm (ssl)

tuesdays 1:30 pm (msc)

brain antics

Ready for a new challenge? This class is no funny business! Take charge of interactive exercises that build and improve memory.

wednesdays 12:30 pm

young at heart

Join us for a light- hearted discussion on life experiences and the importance of connection and engagement.

thursdays 10:30 am

aerobics of the mind

Take charge of your mental fitness! Exercise your brain and improve your memory.

fridays 12:30 pm (ssl)

fridays 1:30 pm (msc)

SOCIAL worker corner: The Art of Apologizing

SORRY. This small but powerful word can feel elusive at times. For such a short phrase, it seems remarkably hard to say and sometimes hard to accept.

Mistakes happen. People don’t make them on purpose and they typically aren’t trying to hurt someone else. Yes, people do get hurt, but understanding that the motivation was not deliberate is very different to someone being purposefully cruel or hurtful.

Sorry may well be only made up of five letters, but the power of this word should never be underestimated. Use it wisely. Saying sorry not only makes you feel better but hearing it from someone is always reassuring. In just one small word you can acknowledge that people (including you) are not perfect and are trying to do the best they can.

Apologizing is an opportunity to grow; an opportunity to show empathy and trust, and most of all, an opportunity to be the best version of yourself. Adapted from: Very Well Minded January 31, 2023

social worker presentations

thursday apr 20 10:30 am thursday may 18 10:30 am thursday jun 15 10:30 am

The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter

Need a reason to laugh more? Join the discussion and find out the joys of humor and laughter.

Can Mindfulness Increase Self-Compassion?

Can Mindfulness increase self-compassion? Join the discussion to learn how.

Goal Setting and Creating Meaningful Change

Did you keep up with your new year’s resolution? No worries, join the discussion to learn how to properly create and set goals that can provide meaningful changes to your life.

Staff + senior spotlight

Meet Our New Senior Staff Members

The Social Services Department is pleased to introduce two new members of our team. Please welcome:

Nancy Rebecca Social Worker 1

Nancy has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social Work. She is looking forward to using her passion for helping people here with our wonderful seniors.

Caroline Narcisse Program Support Aide

Caroline has an Associate degree in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. We are certain our seniors will benefit from her many years of experience.

Senior SPOTLIGHT

When we think of a dedicated community advocate Debra Scialabba instantly comes to mind. She has been a Miramar resident since 1989 and has been a strong force in helping build the diverse and equitable community that Miramar is well known for today.

Debra’s involvement has been extensive and impactful. Debra served on the Miramar Civil Service Board Planning and Zoning Committee for almost 20 years, as a treasurer for Miramar’s United Neighbors Committee for over 10 years and Miramar’s Affordable Housing Committee for 3 years. Debra currently serves as a volunteer at Miramar’s Police East Substation and was recently honored for her exemplary service.

In addition to her rigorous volunteer schedule, Debra finds the time to promote Miramar senior services and all the great activities offered to seniors for free. She can always be counted on to have a stack of the quarterly publication “Voice of Ages” and monthly program schedule to distribute to local seniors urging them to join one of our vibrant centers. As a retired nurse Debra knows firsthand the benefits of being a member of the Southcentral/Southeast Focal Point. She participates in many Health and Wellness groups and the unique Evidence Based programming offered here in Miramar.

Debra is not only a community advocate, a senior advocate, and a Health and Wellness advocate, she is a proponent of positive thoughtful progress. We are so thankful for Debra and all the amazing work she does here in Miramar.

Yolanda Operana

Debra Scialabba

Caroline

senior Walk 2 Wellness

senior Valentine’s Dance

senior Black History production

senior Snapshots

OUR social SERVICES PROGRAMS

 Adult Day Care Center

 Miramarvels Early Childhood Academy

 Senior Services

 Youth and Family Outreach

The various programs were established by the City of Miramar in October 2002 to empower individuals, to improve and enhance their quality of life. We strive to offer reliable, professional, friendly and culturally sensitive programs to meet the needs of the entire community. For more information, visit us online: www.miramarfl.gov.

CITY OFFICIALS

Mayor Wayne M. Messam

Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne

City Commissioners

Winston F. Barnes

Maxwell B. Chambers

Alexandra P. Davis

City Manager Dr. Roy Virgin

HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS

miramar fire department: 954-438-1222

miramar police department: 954-602-4000

miramar helpline: 954-602-help or 954-602-4357

first call for help: 211 or 954-537-0211

abuse hotline:

1-800-962-2873

area agency on aging broward county: 954-745-9779

consumer hotline:

1-800-435-7352

lawyer referral-statewide:

1-800-342-8011

medicare hotline:

1-800-633-4227

Cable Channels: comcast channel 78 (east miramar)

adelphia channel 16 (west miramar)

Online: www.miramarfl.gov

ACCOLADES

Excellence Award

For volunteer opportunities call 954-889-2719

2017 & 2018 Healthy Weight Community Champion presented by Florida Department of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention

Florence R. Goldmann Award 2018 presented by the Florida Association of Senior Centers

presented by National Council on Aging Community Spirit Award presented by the Broward League of Cities