Published: 7/15/2022 9:12:02 AM
Modified: 7/15/2022 9:11:48 AM
NORTHAMPTON — Kim Park, the mayor’s appointee to lead the Department of Senior Services, told the Council on Aging that she plans to listen to the concerns of older adults, work to address gaps in the Senior Center’s offerings and foster “an environment that is warm and friendly with a lot of engaging programs.”
Hours after the Council on Aging’s hybrid meeting on Thursday afternoon, at which Park met and took questions from members, the City Council voted to refer her appointment to the city services subcommittee to make a recommendation.
The Senior Services director also oversees the Senior Center at 67 Conz St.
Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra appointed Park, a former assistant director of the Senior Center, and she plans to start the job on July 25 while the City Council moves through its confirmation process. Marie Westburg served from spring 2018 until her resignation on April 1.
Park “graciously stepped away from her vacation” and other responsibilities to join Thursday’s meeting, council chair Cynthia Langley said, in order to introduce herself to the public and hear about areas of focus.
“One word that I used a lot in the interview process was collaboration,” Park said, emphasizing that she is ready for frequent communication, group brainstorms and meetings with Senior Center users to hear ideas for service expansions. Supporting “the marvelous staff that is already in place,” she said, “is also going to be critical in the first days.”
Council members offered various ideas like improving transportation options, more highly visible public relations efforts, tightening the relationship with the Northampton Neighbors volunteer organization and changes to the Senior Center decor to make it, in the words of member Michael Ford, “a little more funky .” Ford also pointed out that the 15-member Council on Aging is less than half full and suggested trying to recruit more members.
According to Park’s resume, she has 16 years of experience working with older adults. Most recently, she was director of resident lifestyle and volunteer programming at The Overlook retirement community in Charlton and also worked as day center manager for the all-inclusive care program Mercy LIFE PACE.
She has worked in the senior services field in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, as well. A certified dementia practitioner, Park holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master of divinity degree.
Offered a chance to ask the council questions, Park asked if there are any populations that are underserved or do not have access to services, leading to a discussion about increasing one-on-one technology assistance and possibly retaining virtual programs that were started during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate older adults’ sense of isolation.
The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, July 18, while certain administrators and staff are undergoing intensive mental health crisis response training.
The Council on Aging will meet again on Sept. 15 at 3:30 pm at the Senior Center.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.