The great Sophia Loren once quipped: “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
The folks operating The Joslyn Center here in the Valley might appreciate Loren’s sentiments—the actress turns 91 in September. As the nonprofit heads into fall, a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is helping the organization enhance its extensive senior services via the offerings on hand at The Wellness Center.
Praised for its diverse services, The Wellness Center provides one-on-one counseling and group counseling. A variety of support classes filter into the mix, too, assisting individuals through various illnesses—from Parkinson’s to prostate cancer. A women’s cancer group also stands out, and a grievance group is a nice touch for ever-evolving modern times.
“The funds we have received from IECF truly helped in making sure that the wellness program was ongoing,” said Jack Newby, Interim Executive Director of the Joslyn Center. “This is also a bilingual program where the staff speaks Spanish and English, and so we’re able to reach out to Hispanic communities here in the Valley.”
Newby added that wellness initiatives have expanded considerably over the years to continually meet the needs of the aging community. Even through uncertain times, such as the pandemic and the recent government shifts in spending and immigration.
“Our Spanish-speaking clients face many challenges, from transportation, stigma related to seeking counseling, and variable work schedules,” Newby noted. “We work to adjust our schedule to meet the needs of our clients by offering counseling outside of traditional work times. The Joslyn Center is focused on being client-centered and meeting cultural norms to be a safe and empathetic counseling service.”
The Joslyn Center has weathered challenges before through its 40-plus years serving the Coachella Valley. Its dedication to enhancing the well-being of all adults 50 and older has always been commendable. The Wellness Center, in fact, is now nationally recognized and lauded for its holistic approach to wellness among older adults. It was also the first of its kind to offer free bilingual counseling services to adults in need.
Joslyn is also the only center offering the UCLA Longevity Center Brain Boot Camp program. As it continues to lean into more expansive ways it can help seniors live healthy and fulfilling lives, it strives to help others through connections with friends, social gatherings, health and fitness programs, and a variety of educational classes.
Today, some 2,500+ members make up the nonprofit’s creative tapestry. More than 80 weekly programs are featured.
Moving forward, Newby is quick to point out the rise in the senior population.
“The older adult population is growing exponentially, and the Coachella Valley is seeing a growth rate twice that of the State of California,” he said. “We have about 2,700 members and clients now, which equates to about 5,000 to 6,000 visits a month. We are working to meet this growing need.
Which makes The Wellness Center all the more important.
“Just the fact that counseling is available is significant,” Newby said. “We do problem-solving counseling, so it’s one-on-one and it’s to solve an issue. It is an evidence-based form of counseling that has been found to be particularly suited for the challenges faced by an older population. In most cases, clients can resolve their issues in 10 – 12 sessions.
“The program addresses people’s concerns, giving them options and resources, connecting to support groups and to other people that they can talk to,” he added. “It is important to note that we are here Monday through Friday, 8-5 p.m., and seniors can come in any time, and there’s always somebody they can talk to. We are truly here for our clients.”
The Joslyn Center isn’t the only senior center in the Valley, but is one with one of the largest footprints as far as square footage and attendees. Newby feels that the nonprofit’s reach will only expand in the months and years ahead.
“It’s good to participate in your local community senior center,” he said. “It provides you with the opportunity for friendship and joining in various activities. It will help address social isolation, which is shown to cause serious health consequences. Just being able to talk to other people and do things with them is so important.”
Learn more at joslyncenter.org.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, September 2025.
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