Center in the Park (CIP) promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction. Their overarching long-term goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of 50,000 older adults by 2023, particularly in light of the impacts of systemic racism, health disparities, economic inequality, and ageism. CIP’s purpose is to create tools and resources to promote healthy aging, reduce social isolation and maintain independence; build skills because older age is not well supported in our society; promote independence and mastery of the aging process; provide opportunities to develop existing talents and discover new ones; and serve as an anchor for older adults.

CIP was founded in 1968 by two older women, both Germantown residents who were influenced by Gray Panthers founder Maggie Kuhn. Kuhn and they believed in the potential of older adults to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Over the years, CIP evolved from one room in the Germantown Women’s Y with a handful of programs, to a multi-purpose community center providing over 100 programs annually. In 1986 CIP moved into their current facility, a now-114-year-old former Carnegie library in Vernon Park.