Crowds return to senior centers

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

There were many devastating impacts of the 15-month COVID-19 pandemic.

Businesses forced to lay off employees saw profits plunge. Many students saw grades decline as they were kept home from their schoolmates and teachers.

And for many senior citizens who thrive on social activities and involvement, the isolation of being home alone had consequences that could take months to heal.

But senior citizens in the Mon Valley received good news this month.

Throughout the area, senior citizen centers have reopened their doors and are bringing back popular programs, which will give older adults the chance to socialize with their friends for a game of cards, win some money at bingo or take in some live entertainment.

“It affected them badly,” said Miriam Boso, manager for the Monessen Senior Center, which reopened June 1 after being closed since March of last year. “The people that come here need to be socialized and they need to be out and about. Everybody said they missed the center terribly. They were bored out of their minds.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.