CYPRESS : Center Seeks to Draw More Senior Citizens

Senior citizens who do not know about the city’s 6-month-old Senior Citizens Center may be missing out on free services that could prove useful.

Officials at the center said they are surprised at how few people know about it and hope to attract more senior citizens so the center will reach its full potential.

They are concerned that senior citizens who could use the services are not taking advantage of them.

Among the free social services offered to senior citizens are legal aid, health insurance counseling and advocacy, blood pressure screenings, veterans’ benefits counseling, transportation to and from the center, shopping assistance, monthly community commodities distribution, income tax assistance, homeowners and renters assistance and driving courses.

Physical fitness classes are offered Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m; line-dancing classes are held Fridays at 1 p.m.; and self-defense classes are held Mondays at 1 p.m.

Other classes and activities include Spanish lessons on Thursdays at 10 a.m.; calligraphy lessons on Fridays at 9:30 a.m.; ceramics classes on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.; quilting classes on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.; and knitting and crocheting classes on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

The classes last an average of eight weeks, but students can join at any time.

Throughout the year, people ages 60 and older can go to the center for hot lunches that are offered for $1.75. For the same price, senior citizens who are physically disabled can sign up to have the meals delivered.

The center is at 9031 Grindlay Ave. and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call (714) 229-6780.