2010 United Way reduced funding closes local Senior Center on Tuesdays

Budget cuts have forced the Oberlin Senior Center to cut back on services.

Director Marlene Telegdy said the center would be closed on Tuesdays, starting this week. She said the move was necessary due to reduced funding from United Way.

"We had anticipated a shortage, but not as great as this," Telegdy said. "I don't know if they don't understand the needs of seniors or what."

She said the Neighborhood House Association of Lorain, of which Oberlin Seniors is a part, received a greater-than-anticipated cut in funding from United Way. Other areas of NHA saw reduced funding as well.

"There were shortages in all departments," Telegdy said. "But the way the grants are broken up, we were hit harder than other areas."

She said she does not believe the funding cut is permanent, but related to the bad economy. She said the cuts will only mean the center will be closed on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future.

"The services we had off site will remain intact," she said. "The services at New Russia Township hall and other places will still go on. We tried to tweak the calendar a bit to make sure we could continue to serve everyone who needs services."