Dear Seniors,
Happy Older Americans Month! May is such a special time at the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) because it gives us the chance to pause, celebrate, and honor you, the incredible older adults who make the District a vibrant, strong, and beautiful place to live. This year is even more meaningful because, as we celebrate Older Americans Month, we are also commemorating DACL’s 50th Anniversary! That is 50 years of supporting, serving, and championing DC’s older adults, and we could not have done it without you.
This year’s celebration is “Flip the Script on Aging,” and here at DACL, that message speaks directly to our heart. For far too long, aging has been associated with decline, but you have shown us the opposite! Every day, we see you living boldly, breaking barriers, starting new chapters, and proving that aging is not something to fear but something to celebrate.
Flipping the script on aging means challenging outdated stereotypes and embracing the truth that aging brings wisdom, purpose, new adventures, and lasting impact. Whether you are volunteering, staying active, learning something new, or making time for community and connection, you are showing the community around you what it really means to grow older with grace, strength, and joy.
Your health and well-being are always a top priority for us. One of the best ways to flip the script on aging is to stay physically active, and many of you are already doing just that! Whether you are dancing, walking, or stretching at home or participating in classes at one of our Senior Wellness Centers, your commitment to your health is powerful. If you have not yet, we invite you to join one of our centers this month, there is no better time to get involved than during Older Americans Month!
Here’s where you can find a Senior Wellness Center near you:
- Ward 1: Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center – 3531 Georgia Ave, NW
- Wards 2 & 3: Around Town Satellite Program – 4125 Albemarle St, NW
- Ward 4: Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center – 324 Kennedy St, NW
- Ward 5: Model Cities Senior Wellness Center – 1901 Evarts St, NE
- Ward 6: Hayes Senior Wellness Center – 500 K St, NE
- Ward 7: Washington Seniors Wellness Center – 3001 Alabama Ave, SE
- Ward 8: Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center – 3500 MLK Jr Ave, SE
Throughout the month, we will be hosting events that celebrate your stories, your achievements, and your power. With that said, we hope you will join us for our biggest celebration of all, Mayor Bowser’s Annual “Senior Fest.” In partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, come out for a fun-filled day of entertainment, food, dancing, and more on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Gateway Pavilion (2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE). To RSVP, please visit: tinyurl.com/seniorfest2025.
This month-long celebration is not just about DACL turning 50, it is about celebrating you, the community that has made these 50 years so impactful. Thank you for your wisdom, your strength, and for showing us what it means to truly “Live Boldly.” Let us continue to flip the script on aging, together. See you soon (hopefully on the dance floor)!
In Service,
Charon P.W. Hines
Director, Department of Aging and Community Living