Winona Friendship Center Honored for Innovative Older Adult Program during the Pandemic

Photo: City of Winona

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults visited their local senior centers every day to connect with friends, learn something new, discover how to stay healthy, give back to their community, and more. Over the past year, these same senior centers have been tasked with also keeping their older members safe and helping them access food and supplies.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) is honoring the outstanding work of senior centers during the pandemic with the 2020 Programs of Excellence Awards. Winona Friendship Center is one of 14 programs receiving recognition for innovative, creative, and replicable programs for older adults.

Winona Friendship Center received the award for Bridges Health Winona. This program provides preventative health services to the community and are free and accessible. Bridges Health uses a clinical education model to deliver academic community partnerships providing interprofessional student-led, faculty guided clinics. They provide health screenings, blood pressure monitoring, foot & nail care, massages and more. The partnership provides safe and supportive access for older adults, and under or uninsured community members.

The Programs of Excellence are chosen by a national committee of senior center professionals. This year, awards were given in seven categories:

· Community Development, Leadership, and Intergenerational

· Cultural

· Health and Wellness

· Nutrition

· Special Events

· Technology

· Virtual Programming

“Winona Friendship Center is an important destination for older adults in Winona and we worked hard to keep our programs accessible to our members throughout the pandemic,” said Malia Fox, Director Winona Friendship Center. “We are honored to receive a Programs of Excellence Award, and hope that other senior centers across the country will be able to replicate Bridges Health to benefit their members.”

For more information about Winona Friendship Center and its programs for older adults, visit https://mn-winona.civicplus.com/224/Friendship-Center. To learn more about NISC, visit www.ncoa.org/NISC.

(Winona Friendship Center)