The Midwood Neighborhood Senior Center in Flatlands, Brooklyn on Monday held a grand re-opening ceremony in its brand-new location at the Congregation Beit Hillel of Flatlands, 2146 Ralph Ave.
“The ceremonial ribbon-cutting saw a large and enthusiastic crowd of seniors celebrating the reunion of a vibrant community in a brand-new space,” said Councilman Jumaane D. Williams, representative for the 45th Council District in Brooklyn.
He said the Midwood Neighborhood Senior Center frequently sees hundreds of community members for meals, classes, games and fellowship, as well as other events, such as concerts and parties.
Last summer, the center’s previous site, at 4815 Ave. I, in Brooklyn, closed, “with members left to find alternatives,” Williams said.
“Now, as the new location opens, this community is able to reunite,” he added.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held in the main hall of the new facility, featured performances from the Midwood Senior Choir, dancing, and a meal.
Besides Williams, speakers at the ceremony included a representative for Council Member Alan Maisel, District Leaders Lew Fidler and SueAnn Partnow, and Anissa Cabrera from the Department for the Aging.
Over two hundred attendees enjoyed the celebration, Williams said.
“Our active adults need a space to come together with their neighbors and friends, and I’m so glad to have this new, beautiful space open at last,” he said. “I want to thank Millennium Development for their tremendous advocacy for our seniors, and for all of the work that they’ve done to make this possible.”
Paul Curiale, executive director of Millennium Development, said: “We are thrilled to re-open Midwood Neighborhood Center to serve active adults in Councilman Jumaane Williams’ District, after being the proud sponsor since August of 1999.
“All adults are welcome to join us in Mill Basin and Georgetown (Brooklyn),” he added. “Great days ahead!”
Williams said that, last summer, as the original location of the Midwood Neighborhood Senior Center was facing closure, a group of members attended an oversight hearing at City Hall “to made their presence felt” and voiced opposition to what they described as “a mishandling of the situation.”
Williams said he questioned the city’s Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner at length about the situation, including DFTA’s practices and applicable policies.
He said he “fought to make sure that the concerns of the members, and the members themselves, were the primary consideration in the solution, which is now being implemented.”
