CORNWALL – A dozen Orange County senior centers will get a financial boost thanks to a New York State grant. State Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) gathered with local lawmakers, administrators, and seniors on Friday at the Munger Cottage Community Center in Cornwall to make the announcement.
Skoufis said the $717,000 in brand new state funding will be dispersed this spring to every municipal senior center in his district. The money will be used for a variety of improvements that include much-needed renovations of kitchens and bathrooms, roof replacements, the purchase of a new generator, and a new senior transport vehicle.
“It all speaks to one thing,” said Skoufis. “We’re making sure that our senior citizens, who have given so much to our communities over the years and decades, have buildings to come to that are of a high standard and are warm and welcoming and that they have all the amenities they need to provide these opportunities.”
“We have big plans for this building,” said Cornwall Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski, who noted that the $50,000 earmarked for Munger Cottage will be used to upgrade all its audio-visual equipment.
“There are a lot of times when our seniors are overlooked, their mental health and well-being are overlooked for other more trendy things,” said newly elected Orange County Legislator Virginia Scott (D-12). “I can’t be more grateful for this funding.”
In addition to Cornwall, senior centers in Middletown, Blooming Grove, Deepark, Hamptonburgh, Mount Hope, New Windsor, Wallkill, Warwick, Woodbury, Highland Falls and Florida will receive grant funding.
Cornwall resident and former councilwoman, Betty Longinott, says she takes three fitness classes each week at the center. “I’m 90-years old, and I’ve been exercising all my life,” says Longinott. “It’s so nice to be able to share my time with other people. Anyone who wants to come to the center can come.”
Senator Skoufis cited a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control that shows life expectancy in the United States reached an all-time high of 79 years in 2024. He said New York is one of the top five states for life expectancy in the country. “As new Yorkers are living longer and longer, we want to make sure that the buildings their coming to for so much of this programming and wellness—that they’re in good shape in the future.”
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