What's Happening in Auburn, WA…

King County officials recently announced an award of $1.5m to help seniors in Auburn, Federal Way, and Pacific.

The money is going to fund South King County Senior Centers and Resources (SKCSCR), which serves those over 55. The SKCSCR is a partnership between the senior centers in Pacific and Auburn, and the food bank of the senior center in Federal Way. Over the next four and a half years, the three cities will receive $1.52m to provide social engagement, connection, outreach, and support to seniors, by creating a “hub” to provide these services.

In 2017, voters approved a levy in the amount of $19.4m to expand services to veterans and seniors, and 28 senior centers in the region competed for part of the funds. The 2017 vote was the first time money was designed specifically toward helping seniors and those who care for them. The centers plan to use the funds they received to create 14 hubs to provide services to seniors.

The SKCSCR requested $2.8m, but is delighted to receive the $1.5m. Radine Lozier, the Auburn Senior Activities Center’s director, said they had to scale back on their plans, and are currently deciding what to prioritize. Lozier said the main focus is on hiring people to help seniors access the services that are already available to them, but that they may not know about. Brochure printing can be used to create pamphlets describing services available at centers like this.