Agewell at the JCC Squirrel Hill
General Information
With support of the Jack Buncher Foundation, the JCC is pleased to announce the pilot of a new Senior Center in the JCC South Hills facility. The expanded services will greatly enhance the already robust fitness and wellness programming for older adults at the JCC South Hills.
AgeWell at the JCC-South Hills, based in a newly renovated space at the South Hills JCC, will offer low-cost kosher style Grab-and-Go lunches and a wide variety of services, classes and socialization activities.
Individuals ages 60 and older can register to participate.
AgeWell at the JCC South Hills operates:
- Mondays and Fridays, 9 am-noon
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 9 am to 2 pm.
Offerings include:
- Low cost kosher style Grab-and-Go lunch. Seating options are available for participants to enjoy their meal with friends.
- Information and referral services
- Wellness programming
- Evidence-based and evidence-informed programs such as
- HomeMeds, Chronic Disease
- Management and Aging
- Mastery series
- Education opportunities in person and hybrid with virtual programming through Virtual Senior Academy
- Clubs, social programs and get togethers
- Volunteer opportunities
Registration and Contact
Participants must be 60 years or older and a resident of Allegheny County to join AgeWell at the JCC. Services include Community Membership to the JCC and access to J Cafe meals.
To Register:
Appointments are preferred. Please call or stop by the office to make an appointment:
- Squirrel Hill: Room 201, 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday. 412-697-3514.
- South Hills: 9 am-2 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 412-278-1795.
To Contact:
- Registration, Other Services: Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, [email protected] or call 412-697-3517
- Virtual Senior Academy: Maddie Barnes, [email protected] or call 412-697-1186
- Fitness Classes:
- Squirrel Hill – Marsha Mullen, [email protected] or call 412-339-5414
- South Hills – Elaine Cappucci, [email protected], or call 412-446-4773
- Information & Referral, Volunteering: Amy Gold, [email protected] or call 412-697-3528
Programs and Activities
TRANSPORTATION
The Elder Express
To Contact:
Call 412-697-3517
April 1, 2024
The JCC has worked with ACCESS Transportation Services (Elder Express provider) to extend the Elder Express program several times over the past year to prevent interruption of service, particularly during the winter months. Although the JCC has been absorbing the cost difference associated with low ridership and increasing expenses, due to the low number of riders, ACCESS is unable to continue providing the service in its current model. ACCESS has agreed to run a modified schedule while we work to find an alternative service model that will best meet the needs of our seniors.
The JCC has worked with ACCESS to adjust the schedule to better accommodate our riders, provided outreach and information about the service, and recently conducted surveys about participant needs and usage.
The regular Elder Express Service schedule will end on Friday April 5, 2024. The new operation schedule will be on Fridays only starting the week of April 8, 2024. Fridays are the most popular day for rides with the highest number of riders for Elder Express. The new schedule will continue through June while we reassess ridership and other transportation options that could be offered to provide for the transportation needs of our older adults in the community.
Elder Express will operate:
- Fridays only, starting the week of April 8, 2024
- A more limited schedule with 4 runs – last run starts at 1 PM
The following stops will be eliminated effective April 12, 2024
- Murray Towers
- Imperial House
- Beacon Place
A new schedule is enclosed for your convenience. Everything else about Elder Express will remain the same.
Over the next several months Age Well and ACCESS staff will be exploring the possibility of a new transportation service that will better serve the local community. If you have suggestions, please call Age Well at (412) 422-0400.
If you have questions about how to use ACCESS to get to and from any of the locations served by Elder Express on other days or at other times, please contact the ACCESS program office at (412) 562-5353. Any trip taken on Elder Express is also available from ACCESS.
PROGRAMS
Ongoing Programs
Chess
Mondays, 11 am-12 pm in Room 202. For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
Choral Group
Fridays at 12 pm in Levinson B. For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
Center for Loving Kindness & Civic Engagement Neighbor’s Circle Discussion
Mondays, 12:15-12:45 pm in Room 202 (or attend online on the Virtual Senior Academy virtualsenioracademy.org). Join Rabbi Ron Symons in discussion around the most important issues of our day. More than a current events class, these gatherings afford us the opportunity to ground our perspectives in values that humans have been holding dear for thousands of years and that have the potential to guide us today. Your voice matters if you choose to share. Your presence makes a difference if you choose to show up. People of all types of faith and hope, backgrounds and traditions are welcome. For more information, contact Beth Rudel at [email protected] or 412-339-5407.
Discussion Group
Tuesdays, 10 am-11 am in Room 202. For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
Weekly Movies
Wednesdays at 1 pm in Room 202. Weekly movie screenings at the JCC. A mix of new releases and older classics will be shown. For more information, contact Beth Rudel at 412-339-5407 or [email protected].
Art & Quarantine Stories: Exploring Iconic Artworks Throughout History that Relate to Our Current Movement
Thursdays, 12:15-12:45 pm in Room 202 (or attend online on the Virtual Senior Academy virtualsenioracademy.org). Join Melissa Hiller, Director of the American Jewish Museum at the JCC, for conversations about ways that artists help us to see, think, imagine, and hope, as we talk about current events through the lens of art and culture. Our conversation will be all the richer because of your participation. We welcome people of all backgrounds and opinions. For more information, contact Beth Rudel at 412-339-5407 or [email protected].
Blood Pressure Screenings
Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Palm Court. For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
One-On-One Tech Tutoring
Need help with your tablet or laptop? Got questions about your cell phone? We have volunteer tech tutors that are here to help. These sessions are one-on-one and by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Maddie Barnes, 412-697-1186 or [email protected].
Page Turner’s Book Club
Monthly, last Monday of each month, at 11 am in Room 310 or online on the VSA. Facilitator is book enthusiast and AgeWell volunteer Randy Detweiler. For exact dates and book tittles, contact Maddie Barnes at [email protected] or 412-697-1186.
Scrabble Club
Mondays, 1:30 pm in Room 202. For more information, contact Beth Rudel, at [email protected] or 412-339-5407.
Casual Card Club
Thursdays 2:30-4:30 pm in Room 202. Join the group to play Bridge, Canasta, or Cribbage. For more information, contact Beth Rudel, at [email protected] or 412-339-5407.
Coffee & Conversations with Amy
Monthly, last Thursday of each month, at 1 pm in Room 202. Join AgeWell staff member Amy Gold, MSW for monthly coffee and conversation! Amy will start the conversation centered around different topics that impact older adults across our community and then we will have an open discussion where we can share different points of view and offer local resources related to that month’s topic.
Doc Talk
Monthly at 1:30 pm, dates vary. Join local doctors for a monthly “Doc’ Talk”. Rotating medical professionals will cover a variety of topics important to older adults and their health and well-being. For exact dates and guest speaker information, contact Maddie Barnes at 412-697-1186 or [email protected].
Handy Andy
Monthly at 10 am in Room 202 or online on the Virtual Senior Academy. Join local radio personality, ‘Mr. True Value”- Andy Amrhein from Evey True Value. Handy Andy covers a variety of topics important to you and recommends his favorite products to do the jobs around your home that you have questions about. For more information, contact Beth Rudel at 412-339-5407 or [email protected].
Observational Drawing Series with Liz
Monthly, dates vary. AgeWell members of all skill levels are welcome. The instructor will go over the basics of observational drawing using charcoal. For more information, contact Liz Sherlock at 412-278-1785 or [email protected].
Dr. Elizabeth Rodenz Presentations
Monthly, dates vary. Dr. Elizabeth Rodenz is an educator, editor, executive coach, workshop facilitator, management consultant, entrepreneur, writer/author and an AgeWell JCC member. Topics for presentations change monthly. For more information, contact Maddie Barnes at 412-697-1186 or [email protected].
Jewish History
Fridays, 10-11 am in Room 202.
Presented by Alex Orbach, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh. Questions?
Contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
Weekly Torah Readings with Rabbi Teitlbaum
Fridays at 12 pm in the J Cafe. For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
Ethics of our Fathers with Rabbi Altein
Mondays at 12 pm in the J Cafe . For more information, contact Darlene Cridlin, LCSW, 412-697-3517 or [email protected].
*Class schedule is as of 4/17/24 and is subject to change. Contact AgeWell staff for more details.
THE J CAFE
The J Cafe at JCC Squirrel Hill
We serve freshly prepared, nutritious, Kosher meals to active Allegheny County residents. Enjoy your meal with friends and make new acquaintances.
To join us for our in-person lunch you must be 60+ years old, an Allegheny County resident and registered with AgeWell.
How to become a registered participant for J Cafe
Please call our office at 412-697-3517 or simply stop by the AgeWell office, #201, to inquire about registration. Registration is completed in the AgeWell office. Make sure bring proof of age and residence. State ID or drivers license preferred.
Once you are a registered participant, please call 412-567-1715 to reserve your lunch by 4 PM the business day before the day you want to have lunch, and on Friday by 4 pm to reserve for Monday.
Lunch will be served between 11 AM – 1 PM, Monday through Friday, in the J Cafe. We are closed on various holidays. A donation of $1.50 is suggested though no one who is eligible is turned away.
Please note: To reserve lunch for the day following a JCC closure (for holidays etc.), please call the phone line by 4 pm on the business day immediately before the closed day.
Once registered please call 412-567-1715 to make your reservation.
Contact Us
Related Posts
JCC State of Mind July 19, 2024
People often confuse optimism and hope. They sound…
read more
- Adults & Seniors, Jewish Life
Cheesecake – The Taste of Shavuot
Holidays, especially Jewish Holidays, are not the best…
read more
- Adults & Seniors, Arts & Events, Jewish Celebrations, Jewish Life
JCC State of Mind – April 5, 2024
Despite today’s forecast of blustery winds and the…
read more
- Adults & Seniors
Make a Meal of Hamantaschen!
Don’t get me wrong; we LOVE traditional hamantaschen….
read more
- Adults & Seniors, Jewish Life
