COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

The fortunes of nonprofit organizations have changed drastically in recent times.

Just like many individuals, they are feeling the crunch of economic downturn, especially the gas prices which have also caused many to lose their homes and jobs.

We predicted last year that nonprofit organizations would find themselves in the front lines of cutbacks and reduced spending.

Sadly, the economic restraints have become a grim reality

For the first time, many philanthropists are also watching their dollars.

Since they, too, are governed by the economy and by the continued fall of the stock market, their contributions are less.

This affects most nonprofits that survive on grants and donations.

Here at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, a nonprofit funded by community donations and a city grant that itself is subject to city and state cutbacks, we struggle to make ends meet.

We have done better this year then ever before on our annual fundraising campaign, we have increased membership and more programs are being offered, but it is hard to keep growing when the dollars aren’t there.

I want to emphasize that many of our seniors do not have families close by and regard the Senior Center as their home away from home.

This is where they congregate and socialize with their friends. This is the place where everybody knows their name.

Some of them come to the center to eat lunch, which is their main meal of the day. They take classes, get social services, consult a nurse for a check up-and receive lots of care and attention from the center’s staff. It is indeed a haven; a place to have a cup of coffee and a chat even if, these days, you have to pay 25 cents for coffee because the center can no longer afford to offer the beverage free of charge.

Our seniors are being affected by the budget cuts. We’d like to ask the community to help them weather this storm. Help can come in many forms, whether it be financial or in kind. We cannot forget our seniors or put them on the back burner of our minds. I never realized how difficult it would be to reach out to the community about the need to contribute to the health and happiness of our aging population. They make up the very group that gave us the Baby Boomers, the chance to be educated and to flourish.

Nonprofit groups give us the means to support each other. Please continue to give. Reach deep in your hearts and pockets and make this the best year ever in the spirit of giving.

Save the date of Oct. 4, when the Center will have a car show as a fundraiser.

AVIVA GOELMAN, executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior Center, writes occasional columns about the center, its members and senior issues.