Members of the Greenwood Senior Center plan to involved themselves in the community by making positive contributions now that their new group S.A.G.E. (Seniors, Active, Giving and Engaged) has been formed.

The goal of Seniors, Active, Giving and Engaged is to get the center's membership working on local and global issues by using their wisdom, judgment and experience. Seniors will get educated on social justice issues and become active on them.

"We wanted to focus on civic engagement, Where and how seniors can make a difference in this world," said Greenwood Senior Center director Cecily Kaplan.

The group's first project is a Civic Engagement Fair on January 23, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the center. Non-profit groups like New Horizons, Compassion and Choices and Casa Latina are just a few that will be invited to participate.

"People in the community can come and find out what is out there. They can make a connection with non-profits and be part of our program," said Kaplan.

A committee of Greenwood Senior Center members has helped set the ground work for Seniors, Active, Giving and Engaged.

The group is setting aside every fourth Tuesday of the month for members to volunteer in the community. Each month will be a different area of concern. January's focus is on Global Poverty with an emphasis on pregnant women and young children.

Kaplan would like Seniors, Active, Giving and Engaged to work on poverty, fair trade, environment and homelessness issues. She is not afraid to bring new programs and concepts to the Greenwood Senior Center and Seniors, Active, Giving and Engaged is just the start.

On January 7, the center held their Brain Fitness Program Kick-Off event. A Brain Fitness Program has been installed on hard drives in the Greenwood Senior Center Computer Lab.

The Brain Fitness Program can help counteract the brain's tendency to lose speed and accuracy in information processing with age.

Participants can pay $100 for 40 sessions, lead by trained volunteer coaches. They will work with computer based exercises that improve brain function. Gains in memory and cognitive functions are the goal.

Kaplan said as the human brain continues to grow and change, seniors can learn a new language or take on new projects.

"You need to consistently use your brain. These programs are part of a healthy life. Certainly doing things that continue these programs are part of a healthy life," said Kaplan.

As the center's director, Kaplan wants to instill the value of community in the membership. By coming to the center, seniors are not isolated in their homes.

The Greenwood Senior Center may add caregiver resources and a program to help the elderly prevent falls in the future, depending on funding.

"My philosophy is to try new things. I am willing to try different things to broaden the program," said Kaplan.

Call 297-0875 or visit http://www.greenwoodseniorcenter.org.