West Hempstead Center ‘in Tune’ with Seniors
Twice-weekly Bingo games are the big draw at the West Hempstead Senior Community Center sponsored by Catholic Charities of Long Island, but a Thursday morning music medley had seniors dancing in pairs and others swaying in their seats to the Big Band sounds of a large ensemble with horns, drums, guitars and piano.
Songs included My Funny Valentine, You Made Me Love You and I Can’t Give You Anything but Love. “The music is so nice. It’s in keeping with our period,” said Doris Chapman, who’s been coming since late 2024.
That’s when the senior center moved from Franklin Square into its new home at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. The single-level space is more conducive to the center’s 140 seniors. A ramp leads directly to the entrance door, and air conditioning keeps things cool inside when it’s hot outside.
Doris is a welcoming presence, so it’s not surprising to learn she serves as secretary of the center’s site council. “I enjoy people,” Doris said. “We have so many different things to interest different people.” She appreciates the arthritis prevention exercises as well as nutrition education, which is so important for seniors, she explains.
Her friend Gus Giulekas is another smooth dancer. DJ parties for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and a 50s dance are his personal favorites. “I like to dance,” said Gus, who used to be a driver for the Oceanside Center for many years and now comes to West Hempstead five days a week.
The West Hempstead center is one of three operated by Catholic Charities in Nassau County. The other two are in Oceanside at St. Anthony’s parish and in Wantagh.
The program is made possible with funding from the Nassau County Department of Human Services, Office of the Aging, through the New York State Office for the Aging and the U.S. Administration on Aging.
Gena Damato, who has served as program manager for a decade, said socialization with peers is part of the center’s appeal. “It’s a place out of the house where they can interact with society and get access to services and information.” As they listened to music, those sitting at tables enjoyed friendly games of dominoes, pieced together puzzles, paged through books from a lending library and one even played solitaire.
Many come on buses operated by the center’s drivers. The center is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a morning coffee hour, and daily lunch time fare, available for a nominal fee. A menu featuring beef stew, breaded chicken with gravy, pork loin with gravy, Swedish meatballs and jumbo ravioli with meat sauce rates draws compliments all around.
Kitchen aide George Young, a retired postal worker, delivers the meals without delay and with a smile. One day seniors on the “north side” receive their meals first, and the next those on the “south side” get the first warm plates. “When that food comes in, you have to serve it hot,” George said.