When Janada Carter was searching for work over 10 years ago, she never imagined finding a passion for serving the senior community.
“I got into the role of working with older adults by accident,” said Carter.
Through a friend, she was connected to a position at AARP, an interest group in the United States focusing on issues affecting those 50 years old and older. Since then, Carter embraced a handful of different opportunities within the aging community before landing at Star Harbor Senior Community Center as the Center Manager two and a half years ago.
Located in Southwest Philadelphia, Star Harbor is one of five senior community centers in Philadelphia operated by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), as part of its continuum of care to older adults throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. The centers offer opportunities for socialization, recreation, physical exercise, education, and nutritional support with a focus on overall health, wellness and independence, supporting the agency’s mission of stabilizing and enriching the lives of seniors.
“Working with Catholic Housing and Community Services is totally different. It is the first time I have been hands on with them.”
Carter, who had grown up without grandparents, now spends many of her days surrounded by grandmothers and grandfathers.
For Carter, her work is deeply personal. “I get lots of cookies, lots of crocheted sweaters, lots of gifts, that a typical grandmother would give.”
While she is touched by the thoughtful gifts, they are not what drives her to do this work. In her role as the Center Manager, she oversees the operation of the facility. She enjoys her job most when she gets to spend time with the seniors.
Janada Carter with a member of Star Harbor Senior Community Center.
“I am at the front door as they walk through, saying ‘good morning’, calling them by their name, sometimes giving them a high five.”
Star Harbor is a satellite center, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Many seniors are drawn to the center due to their vast spectrum of activities including art classes, trips, health education, nursing services, exercise programs, and wellness initiatives.
Wanting to give members an opportunity for programs that expanded beyond the center hours, Carter began organizing day trips. The first trip she arranged was in 2021 to Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although COVID-19 was no longer a dangerous threat, there was still the question of if seniors were ready to rejoin the center.
After announcing the trip, the response was quite the opposite – it sold out so quickly Carter had to get a second bus. She said it is “priceless” to be able to offer these opportunities to the center members.
The success did not stop with the first outing. Every day trip organized at Star Harbor typically sells out. With such positive engagement in the day trips, Carter asked her administrative assistant, an older adult herself, why she thought the trips were so popular.
Her assistant explained to her that, “after you retire, you do not have as many friends as you usually had. These trips mean the most to us because we have nobody to hang out with. It gives us a chance to socialize and have fun.”
Carter and the Star Harbor team also provide family members with peace of mind knowing loved ones are supported at a place where they can socialize and thrive. “Because of them being older adults, they are aging in place. I want to make sure I can keep an eye on them and if there are some changes in their lifestyle, I am able to speak to them about it or speak to their family.”
The spiritual foundation at Star Harbor is another key element that sets the center apart. Each day and every meal begins with prayer, creating an atmosphere of natural joy and ease. “Being able to pray together—it’s not something you can do openly in many other places,” Carter shares. “It’s almost expected here by our clients, and that really touches my heart.”
“I think our seniors tend to choose to come to Star Harbor and it has to do with the name. They really respect the Archdiocese, the Catholic Housing and Community Services title. When they come into our establishment, they get a sense of a spiritual foundation which many of them love,” she said.
Catholic Social Services is recognized as a leading provider of senior living services throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. 2,200 seniors benefited from CSS senior centers and parish programs in 2023. To learn more, please visit chcsphiladelphia.org/.
