She was born to lend a helping hand.
Carol J. Hunt recently announced her retirement from Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA), after serving as an executive director for 22 years. She spent half of her life, over 40 years, devoted to senior citizens – and she was honored for her work at the Black Spectrum Theatre on February 25.
“It was a wonderful career to work for older people,” she said. “I can open the door for them to tell legislators what they need and what is important for them.”
During her time at JSPOA, she was involved in programs for over 5,000 elderly in Southeast Queens. JSPOA provides services such as home-delivered meals, crime victim assistance, transportation and adult day services. When she became executive director, JSPOA had four senior centers – under her leadership it has grown to six centers today. In addition, JSPOA was the first agency in the state to have its senior centers nationally accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers in 1998 and 1999.
Also during her career, Carol engaged in the Senior Action Coalition, which reviews legislation affecting older adults and meets with local politicians to advocate on behalf of older adults.
Recent cuts in state aid for seniors worries Hunt, as she believes their resources should be supported since many of them have no place else to turn. To her, senior centers are an integral part of the community.
“Senior centers offer services to people who choose growing and learning with computers, exercise machines, crafts-making and give opportunities to get new friends and socialize, volunteer, and all of these keep people youthful and engage in life,” she said. “That’s why senior centers should be kept, not cut.”
Before joining JSPOA, she worked with the Department for the Aging, Presbyterian Senior Services, Community Service Society, Interfaith Citywide Coordinating Committee/City Mission Society, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, and was the community liaison to the elderly for former city comptroller Harrison Goldin.
“My serendipitous career in the aging field has enriched my life professionally and personally beyond anything I could have planned,” she said. “Promoting and maintaining the contributions of older people in the fabric of our society has been a privilege. Leading an organization like JSPOA has sparked so many creative ideas. I know the best life of the organization has only just begun.”
Chairperson of JSPOA’s Board of Directors, Ann Wilkinson said the community of southeast Queens owes a debt of gratitude to Hunt and that she will be missed.
“Throughout her career, Carol Hunt has been a powerful spokesperson on behalf of older adults,” said Wilkinson. “We have been fortunate to have her as our executive director and thank her for the leadership she has provided in support of the seniors in our community.”
