The decision to enlist the Mt. Madonna YMCA to manage the new
Indoor Recreation center ensures that the city’s senior nutrition
program will continue and not damage the city budget.
Morgan Hill – The decision to enlist the Mt. Madonna YMCA to manage the new Indoor Recreation center ensures that the city’s senior nutrition program will continue and not damage the city budget.
“The senior nutrition program is a vital component to health and socialization in our community,” said Susan Fent, a social worker and member of the city’s senior advisory committee. “Being able to continue that program means we’ll be able to continue to meet those needs.”
The YMCA currently runs the program at the Friendly Inn. It serves hot meals to about 70 seniors a day at a cost of $120,000 a year. The county provides $65,000 annually and has funded the program for 30 years.
The city gives the YMCA $75,000 a year for senior citizen services. When the IRC opens in September, it will include a new senior center and house the nutrition program. Morgan Hill leaders have been worried that the city would be forced to subsidize the nutrition program further if the YMCA no longer administered it. Two years ago, the county informally asked all cities to assume some funding responsibility.
“We were advised that if it moved to a new site, it might be considered a new program and the sponsor would be required to throw some money,” City Manager Ed Tewes said. “They were never very definitive about it. They have been very elusive about it.”
Julie Aragon, Santa Clara County’s senior nutrition program manager, said the county never intended to stop funding senior lunches in Morgan Hill.
“Our role was just to ensure that there was a provider to continue service,” Aragon said. “There was no consideration to end funding for the program. Santa Clara County is very committed to providing services to the seniors of Morgan Hill.”
