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“The Lowcountry Senior Center has created a wonderful legacy in their first five years,” said Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. “The growth and success of the facility has exceeded all of our expectations. More than just a facility, it has provided a means of continuing learning and growth for our senior citizens along with a wonderful opportunity to make new friends. This Center will hopefully be a model for future expansion throughout the county.”

“The Lowcountry Senior Center continues to improve the quality of life for many Charleston area seniors, providing a unique place for them to connect through social, intellectual and physical activities,” said David L. Dunlap, President and CEO of Roper St. Francis Healthcare, which manages the Center for the City of Charleston. “Thanks to the everyday efforts of the Center’s staff, volunteers and members, a wide range of programs and services are offered to encourage healthy living.”

“The Center’s growth and success has exceeded all of our expectations,” said Jill Jackson Ledford, the Center’s Executive Director. “It has been rewarding to be a part of an effort that has such a positive impact on people’s lives. Our vision is to expand the existing facility as well as take more programming out to other areas. We would also like to replicate our successful model in other areas of the county so that more people can benefit.”

Under Jackson Ledford’s leadership, the Center has been recognized for numerous achievements:

* It was the first senior center to achieve national accreditation in the state and was recognized as a “Geriatric Best Practice” by the South Carolina Hospital Association and SAGE Institute.
* It was recognized as the nation’s top “Senior Wellness & Fitness Program” in 2005 when it received the NuStep Pinnacle Award for excellence in wellness programming for seniors.
* Earlier this year, the Center received a $283,000 multi-year grant from the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging to offer expanded programs and support to seniors learning to live with and effectively manage a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The Center’s goal is to promote health and wellness, control stress, reduce depression and anxiety, and ultimately lower the cost of healthcare for people 50 years old and up.

From exercise classes to art workshops, movies, day trips and health and medical seminars, the Senior Center provides a wide variety of activities to suit many interests. All of the programs offered by the Center contribute to the overall belief of wellness defined as having six dimensions: emotional, intellectual, physical, social, spiritual and vocational.

The Lowcountry Senior Center is currently accepting applications for membership. For more information, please call 843-762-955