The City of San Diego recently showcased the reopening of The Cathy Hopper Friendship Center, a hub for local seniors to connect, learn, and engage in a plethora of activities, during an open house event graced by Mayor Todd Gloria and other local dignitaries. The center, operating under the AgeWell Services program since March 2023, has been welcoming those aged 60 and better, aligning with the City's Age Friendly San Diego Action Plan aimed at enhancing life for older adults and the community at large, according to a report from the City of San Diego.

On this occasion, visitors could step into the center to discover the array of available daily happenings, from art and writing workshops to fitness and line dancing, games, and educational sessions covering legal and caregiving topics, the City's effort to fill the void left by the center's previous closure due to COVID-19 is evident and since its inception, the center has been growing into a vibrant locale for the senior community, Kristi Fenick, Parks and Recreation Department District Manager for AgeWell Services, reported an increase in the engagement and enjoyment of the space among older adults.

The City of San Diego notes that the center was named after Cathy Hopper, a key figure in its creation in the 1970s, and aside from acting as a social venue, it provides an expansive range of services such as free lunches, social calls, and now, even a summer camp slated for July 16-18—marked as the first AgeWell Services Summer Camp.

In a statement celebrating the center's revival, Mayor Todd Gloria expressed, as per the City of San Diego, "The Cathy Hopper Friendship Center is part of our commitment to ensuring our seniors have access to vital services and a vibrant community space to support aging well," The city continues to champion the well-being of its senior residents, revealing a summer 2024 activities program, detailed in the AgeWell Services Scroll newsletter, that includes more than just the usual suspects—activities range from ukulele lessons starting in July to card games and coffee mornings.

Anticipation also builds for the AgeWell Services participants' 48th annual art contest, with attendees at the open house having previewed the artistic works adorning the center's walls, a testament to the talent and creativity that thrives within this age bracket—proof that personal growth and community can flourish at any stage of life.