A Struggling Senior Center Faces Urgent Challenges
Water dripping from the ceiling, buckling floors, and a worsening roof leak are putting the future of the Forest Park Senior Center in jeopardy. Located on Baltimore’s far west side, the center is one of the few remaining senior centers in the city. However, its building is in “critical condition,” with visible damage caused by ongoing leaks. The situation has become so dire that the center is now forced to turn away seniors, while its owners desperately seek help.
Terra Hill-Aston, whose husband Joe Aston purchased the building 30 years ago, expressed her frustration over the lack of support. She described the current state of the building as unacceptable, especially for a place that serves as a hub for the community. “The roof is going to deteriorate more and we can’t do nothing here. We can’t have people singing songs and doing line dances in the water,” she said.
Joe Aston added that the city had initially allocated funds to replace the roof but later changed its decision. “I said this is unfair to the Forest Park senior community,” he said. According to Tessa Hill-Aston, the money was redirected to another line item, with promises that it would be returned “in a minute.” However, what was supposed to be a short-term solution turned into a long-term problem.
“I’ve called several numbers and several agencies and I’ve not got a call back. I’ve sent emails for help. I have not gotten no call back in a year… and the sicker my husband gets the madder I get,” Tessa Hill-Aston told members of Baltimore’s Board of Estimates during a recent meeting. She emphasized that the city seems to be ignoring their pleas for assistance.
“They just ignore us and don’t want us to come down and plead our case,” Joe Aston said. The couple has been vocal about their concerns, but their efforts have not yielded any immediate results.
Kim Trueheart, who operates children’s programs in part of the building, also voiced her concerns. She questioned why the city hasn’t taken action to address the issues at the senior center. “It seems not to be high on the priority list,” she said. Trueheart argued that taxpayers expect their money to be used to help communities, including the senior population.
Despite these calls for action, no promises were made following Hill-Aston’s appearance at City Hall. For the Forest Park Senior Center, time is running out. “I think we’re a lost community and I don’t see anyone jumping up and down so I’ve gotta go help Howard Park,” Hill-Aston said.
Community Concerns and Calls for Action
The situation at the Forest Park Senior Center highlights broader issues facing aging infrastructure and the challenges of maintaining community services. As the center struggles to keep its doors open, residents and advocates are urging local officials to take immediate steps to address the urgent needs of the facility.
Some key concerns include:
- The deteriorating condition of the building, which poses safety risks for both seniors and staff.
- The lack of response from city agencies despite repeated attempts to seek assistance.
- The potential loss of a vital community resource that serves a unique demographic.
As the community waits for a resolution, the urgency of the situation continues to grow. With no clear timeline for repairs or funding, the future of the Forest Park Senior Center remains uncertain.