To enable persons 55 years of age and older to remain active contributors to their community by participating in meaningful volunteering services.
Description
The Cranston Department of Senior Services is located at 1070 Cranston Street in Cranston, Rhode Island. It is bordered by the State's capital city of Providence and is characterized by its diverse ethnic neighborhoods, commercial and industrial centers and by its unique blend of urban, suburban and rural environments.
According to the 2000 United States Census, the City of Cranston has a current population of 79,269 individuals. 25.6% of the total population is 55 years of age or older. 9.3% is 75 of age or older a 41.4% increase from the 1990 census. 2.3% is 85 years of age or older a 29.8% increase from the 1990 census.
In 1967 the first senior drop-in center for older adults opened in Cranston. By 1980 it was obvious that in order to remain cost-effective and to deliver services in a comprehensive and efficient manner, it was necessary that all services and programs relating to the elderly be consolidated under one department. Thus, the concept of the Cranston Department of Senior Services as a one stop service was born.
The Cranston Department of Senior Services is a branch or department of the City of Cranston's municipal government. The governing structure's responsibilities are divided and shared. While it is the overall responsibility of the City of Cranston to oversee the Department of Senior Services, the department itself must assume the task of ensuring that the delivery of services to the older citizens of the city is managed in an organized, fiscally responsible, and seamless manner.
In 1988 a 26,297 sq. ft. multipurpose facility was designed and constructed to house the Department of Senior Services. It provided the means for expansion of existing programs and the development of new programs in order to better meet the challenging needs of the growing elderly population. The needs of the elderly in the community vary and cover the complete spectrum of health, social, nutritional, physical, emotional, economic and educational needs.
