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Our History
EST. 1965
1965 - Montco SAAC Founded
Founded in Norristown in by seven local women volunteers to address issues of isolation, lack of stimulation, lack of available resources, poor nutrition, poor health and loss of purpose in life experienced by older adults.
1974 - A Second Center
A second multipurpose senior center opened in Glenside’s Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church, serving those in the eastern part of the county. In 1999 Montco SAAC opened the senior center in Ambler. In 2008 the Glenside senior center closed due to loss of funding. Eastern Montgomery County seniors were transferred to the Ambler Center.
1977 - Meals on Wheels
The Meals on Wheels program began in Norristown. In 1984 the Meals on Wheels program began in the Glenside center. In 1999 our third multipurpose senior center was established in Ambler. Montco SAAC offers the largest Meals on Wheels program in the region, providing its service from the Norristown and Ambler centers and the Mt. Carmel Church in Glenside.
2000 - Norristown Site
Montco SAAC purchased the Norristown site to have more room to achieve a greater emphasis on health and wellness.
2006 - Award
National Institute of Senior Centers awarded national accreditation to Montco SAAC
2008 - Exercise Classes
We began to offer Senior Centers Without Walls, with exercise classes in E. Norriton and in Eastern Montgomery County.
2008 - Boomer U
The Ambler center is home to Boomer U, programming designed specifically to bring in younger seniors for programming post retirement or when dropping in after work
2012 - Aging Network
Partnered with VNA Community Services in Eastern Montgomery County on a project called The Aging Network. We are in discussions with the Aging Network of the VNA Community Services regarding collaboration to form another senior center or satellite in Eastern Montgomery County
2012 - Award
National Institute of Senior Centers awarded national accreditation to Montco SAAC
2014 - Art Center
The Board approved a plan to renovate the top floor of the Ambler center as an art center
2015 - Art4ME
Montco SAAC launched Art4ME at Ambler Center for people with cognitive loss. In 2016 Art4ME began in Norristown as well
2016 - Art Center Opened
The Art Center at Ambler opened to the public with inter-generational classes, further enhancing the programming at the center and quality art instruction in the region
2018 - Grant Awarded
Awarded Senior Center Community Center Grant to add an elevator at the Norristown site
2020 - Adapted to COIVD-19 Challenges
Pivoted to virtual programing due to COVID-19 closures. Continued offering all services virtually, by mail, and via phone while continuing to provide nutrition through Meals on Wheels and Grab N’ Go Meals.
2020 - PA WorkWear Provider
Launched a partnership with The Wardrobe as the PA WorkWear provider for Montgomery County