ORLANDO | The LGBT+ Center Orlando announced Oct. 1 that it has received a $2,500 from State Farm to assist in funding for The Center’s Older Wiser Learners (OWL) senior program.
OWL was launched by The Center in 2013 to help improve the quality of life for LGBTQ senior citizens over the age of 55 in Central Florida. Through the program, The Center has provided seminars, weekly meet ups and events for the senior community.
The current program, in-part due to the grant, is being reimagined for 2021 to include additional opportunities for seniors at The Center. The new OWL program activities will occur at The Center Orlando — located at 946 N. Mills Ave. — while The Center Kissimmee — located at 17 W. Monument Ave. — will continue hosting weekly senior socials every Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Before the current coronavirus pandemic, studies showed that LGBTQ seniors were twice as likely to experience social isolation than their straight counterparts and half as likely to have life partners or family to call on in an emergency, The Center stated in a press release. With COVID-19 making quarantine and socially distancing more commonplace — especially for aging seniors — those number are sure to increase.
For more information on The Center’s OWL program or to make a tax-deductible donation to the program, visit TheCenterOrlando.org.
