Contact Information

Tom Maldonado, Executive Director

Director of Programs and Services: Gretchen Snyder

170 S. Olive Street at Almond (Downtown)
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 538-9633

Click here for a map & directions to the Orange Senior Center.

About the Orange Senior Center

Orange Senior Center
The Downtown and North Orange Senior Centers provide activities for anyone over the age of 60 years (55 years for some programs). There are donations requested for some activities, but no membership fees. Individuals may participate in any, or all, activities.

Funding and Programs

Funding comes from the City of Orange, United Way, participants' special events and OSC's fund-raising campaign. OSC raises the additional funds needed to provide seniors with the services they need to help keep them healthy and free to enjoy their later years. About 50% of the seniors in our community survive on a little over $640.00 a month. These are the people OSC is serving each day.

In all the OSC Programs the estimate is over 350 people are seen daily and about 5,000 different people annually. As the older population increases, additional resources will have to be found to provide a reasonable level of services. That is why OSC developed an Endowment Program" with the goal of a million dollars in perpetual funds. You can bequeath your estate, car, or money to OSC - if you have no relatives to pass them on to - or perhaps put a $1,000 leaf on our Endowment Tree in your family's name. Contact Tom Maldonado, Executive Director of OSC, regarding this wonderful way that you can help seniors live out their lives in dignity with the help of your perpetual gift. OSC is an IRS 501(c)(3) Corporation. All gifts are tax deductible.

The Orange Senior Center is a community focal point where seniors can obtain all the services listed in the Activities and Services calendar above. The center is open for senior programming Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

About 350 people use this facility daily. A full range of Focal Point activities and services are provided. A hot nutritious lunch is available Monday - Friday for a donation of $2.50 for seniors 60 and above. Individuals under 60 are charged $3.50. Parties, dances and special celebrations are held each month. Bingo games are played daily and live entertainment is provided 3 mornings a week.

Participants

The Orange Senior Center has a 12 member Participant Council who oversee and make recommendations for day to day operating policies and develops a volunteer corps to support social services, write articles for the quarterly newsletter and provide special events for the seniors.

Participants meet daily at the facility to play bridge, chess, scrabble, and card games. Stamp club and Ham Radio club members hold weekly meetings.

Medical professionals give monthly talks and seminars on health topics. Visiting nurses offer blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screenings. Annual influenza inoculations are given. Classes such as Strength Training, Tai Chi Chih, Balance and Mobility, and Arthritis Exercise are held weekly to enhance health and physical fitness. Line and Ballroom Dancing classes are offered for exercise and personal enjoyment. A Mental Aerobics class enhances brain fitness.

A support group led by a trained facilitator is conducted for care persons and/or individuals with Parkinson's Disease; the group meets the second Monday of each month at 10:00am. An Alzheimer's Disease support group will be starting soon. Moving On is a social group for those whose spouse has been deceased more than a year; the group meets weekly to plan and attend activities.

Food Commodities are distributed to seniors on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00am; a Brown Bag of food staples is distributed the first and 3rd Thursday at 9:00am. Come in to register and pick up a bag. The Rummage Shop at the center is open mornings, and donations of clean clothing and small household items are welcomed. Employment services are provided for seniors seeking jobs and those seeking caregivers or other assistance in their homes. Also, a shared housing program is available.

Some of the other services available monthly include Legal Aid, PHCA nurse, haircuts, HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program), and AARP Safe Driving classes. Call the center's front desk at 714-538-9633 for more information or to register.