Since its creation back in 1982, the Westbury Senior Citizens Center's Special Friends program, formerly named The Frail and Elderly, has brought joy into the lives of its members.

"I really enjoy the Special Friends. It couldn't be a nicer place to come to," said 96-year-old Rose Romano, a member of the program since its inception. "I think that's why I have lived a long time because I got involved in this wonderful program."

The program's success has continued to present day under the leadership of Joanne "Jo-Jo" Meltzer, who is the center's Special Friends and Homebound Services Coordinator. "I can't say enough about our new coordinator 'Jo-Jo.' She is excellent. She puts herself out there for us and she's full of vitality," said Romano.

Meltzer, 44, believes that she is very fortunate to be working for the Westbury Senior Citizens Center. Last year, she randomly decided to respond to a job opening at the center after seeing it advertised in a Pennysaver. "I don't even know what made me open that Pennysaver and it's like I won the lottery," Meltzer said about her job.

Getting to know each person in the program is what Meltzer said is the biggest challenge. "You can't succeed unless you're willing to really understand each individual," she said. Most of all, making sure members of the program enjoy themselves is her main focus.

The Special Friends program was created for the members of the center who could not get around due to their physical limitations. "A lot of these people are very bright and alert. It's just that it's a little difficult with the limitations that they have," said Jean Silverman, executive director of the Westbury Senior Citizens Center. "We created the program with that idea in mind. That's why I feel that the program is so important."

The decision to change the program's name to Special Friends is seen as a good thing to Meltzer because the new name better describes the members. "The Special Friends title really clicks because the group is special and everyone in the group is friends," Meltzer said.

The Westbury Senior Citizen's Center provides transportation, lunch and activities for the members of the program. It currently takes place every Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center. During this time, Meltzer arranges activities such as daily aerobics, field trips, puzzles, trivia games and arts and crafts for the members to participate in. "I try to work their physical being as well as their mental being," said Meltzer, adding that she is very grateful that Silverman allows her to be involved with choosing activities for the program's members.

The center currently asks for a yearly donation of $30 from each member of the program and scholarships are available for those who are unable to pay the donation. "We never turn anyone away. If our members need a scholarship, all they have to do is talk to us and we take care of it," said Silverman, adding that the center can only accept Westbury Village residents into the program.

Throughout the years, the number of members has fluctuated due to some members' extenuating circumstances. However, the members of the program are currently steadily increasing. "We get a turnover after we lose members. The group ranges from about 15 to 20 members right now," Meltzer said.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the program is that it is made for older senior citizens, according to Meltzer. "A lot of the members are middle aged. They are not old people," Meltzer said. The members of the program range from ages 65 to 96 years old, which shows that it embraces senior citizens of different ages. "It's a special need program where the attention is specialized where the people don't have to walk around and make plans for their activities," Meltzer added.

What is most noticeable about the Special Friends program is that both the people who run it and the members enjoy the program. "Having fun with the ladies in this group and 'Jo-Jo' is wonderful," said Colleen Willman, 37, an intern at the program from Nassau Community College. "I am very happy to know that no matter what you have disability-wise, you can come here and everybody is treated as equal."

The social environment at the program contributes to its success. The members enjoy talking and spending time with each other. "I have found love with each and everyone here," said Turmeta Patterson, 65, who says a prayer and sings a song every Monday when the group meets. "When I don't come here, I don't feel good. I can't be happier and I will continue to come here as long as I'm living."

The Special Friends program is more of a weekly family gathering for its members. In fact, many of the members see themselves "as sisters," according to Lois Cobb, 76, a volunteer at the program for five years. Cobb, along with volunteer Shirley Wright, 70, are two people who "contribute so much to the program with their kindness and dedication," according to Meltzer.

"I love it here. We have great people here like Shirley, Lois and my little friend 'Jo-Jo,' said Agnes Peters, 83, a member of the program for 23 years. "The food is great, we go on trips and we have a good time."

This year, the Special Friends program will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. "The milestone is great," said Silverman. "Everyone bonds so well and the program keeps growing. I think it shows that everybody just knows that this is just a wonderful program."

For more information or to find out how to join, call the Westbury Senior Citizens Center at 334-5886.