(Editor's Note: The following letter was read, on Risha Levinson's behalf, at the Nov. 4 board of trustees St. Paul's work session. It is printed below with the author's permission.)

I am Risha Levinson, director of the Senior Connections program, which has been in operation for the past 20 years at the Garden City Public Library. Our program consists of information and referral services to Garden City seniors who are in need of knowledge of available resources and referrals to appropriate services. Public forums are offered to the community in areas that are of special interest to older adults and their families. Programs are also designed to promote intergenerational interests of Seniors and Youth (SAY Program).

Since I am unable to attend this meeting tonight, I am taking this opportunity to present to you my views on the designation of the St. Paul's structure for the incorporation of community services for our senior population.

Since 22 percent of Garden City residents are over the age of 65 and have no designated community center, it would indeed be of great interest to our seniors to consider St. Paul's as a highly desirable locus to help meet the varying needs of older persons as they "age in place."

Model programs for seniors exist in many communities throughout Nassau County - e.g. Rockville Centre and Oyster Bay. These programs offer a wide spectrum of services to meet senior needs - ranging from the active "young old" to the needier frail elderly. Support services could offer fitness programs, computer rooms, space for games and hobbies and transportation to the center, also to medical appointments and local shops.

Referrals to medical and social work services could also be provided by professional health care and social work services. The center could also offer intergenerational interests and activities for seniors and youth. Given the current high percent of older residents, and the certainty of a continuous expansion of the baby boom generation that are "coming of age," the prospect of a community senior center in Garden City deserves priority consideration.

As a resident of Garden City for the past 36 years, I will be glad to join our community friends, appointed officials and volunteer citizens to discuss the possibilities of meeting the interests and needs of our Garden City community, including our older population. We too can make our village a "model community" for seniors and youth.

Risha Levinson