Lynn Fields Harris, Executive Director of Center in the Park, a nationally accredited community senior center, was one of more than 100 aging network advocates to visit members of Congress last week, in order to raise issues related to America’s seniors and those who work with them.

Harris, a member of the Delegate Council of the National Institute of Senior Centers, visited the office of Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) to express concern that many low-income seniors still are not receiving the help they are eligible for under Medicare, to pay for their prescription drugs and other health care costs. She also pointed out the significant shortfall in funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, which help older adults stay healthy and independent, and urged Congress to increase appropriations for the OAA.

Harris also participated in National Council on Aging (NCOA) Advocacy Day briefings, during which remarks were made by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Pennsylvania’s Senator Casey also serves on that committee. NCOA is the oldest national aging organization in the country. Its mission is to improve lives of older Americans. For more information, please visit www.ncoa.org.

Members and staff of Center in the Park participated in the Advocacy Day, virtually, by sending e-mail messages from the Center’s tech lab to members of the Congress in support of improving assistance for low-income Medicare beneficiaries and increasing Older Americans Act Appropriations.

Center in the Park is a community center that promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults in Northwest Philadelphia, whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction. CIP is accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers, a unit of the National Council on Aging as a provider of excellent programs, activities and services for its active membership of more than 5,000 and its 1,000 homebound clients.