The senior center involvement of nutrition clients is excellent. Volunteers among the older adults attending include those who share their skills at dancing, art, hobbies and gardening. One gentleman who enjoys wood-working created a small bowling alley for recreation at one of the centers. It was designed so that frail elders and participants with arthritis could enjoy a recreational activity along with their more active friends at the center. A number of multi-cultural activities have been developed with the help of participant volunteers.
Traditional volunteers help with meal service and deliver meals.
The engendering of the multi-purpose nature of the senior center has strengthened senior citizens' sense of knowledge and independence. The Somerset Nutrition Program successfully addressed two major initiatives in 1996. It recognized the need to improve service to minority elderly. They established an objective to address the needs of low income minority elderly in accordance with the needs identified in a community-wide survey conducted by the United Way and acknowledging past service statistics. The senior center managers and outreach workers helped to identify community leaders who could serve as a liaison between the Area Agency on Aging centers and minority individuals to encourage them to participate.