NCOA Programs of Excellence Awards showcase efforts to foster aging well

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Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
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simona.combi@ncoa.org

June 17, 2025, Arlington, VA—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, has announced seven winners of the 2025 Programs of Excellence Awards managed by NCOA’s National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC).  

From murder mystery dinner parties to a virtual tour of a local NFL stadium and a special crock pot cooking series, the winning programs showcase how senior centers are creatively meeting the needs and interests of their communities. 

“Across the country, senior centers are where older adults go to thrive,” said Dianne Stone, Associate Director of Community Partnerships and Network Activation at NCOA.

As these winners show, senior centers are fun, welcoming spaces where older adults can exercise, be creative, and make friends—all critical factors to aging with health and well-being.” 

Each year, NISC selects winners in seven categories through a peer-review process. Judges are NISC Affiliate members, who look for programs that are innovative, have demonstrated impact, and can be replicated by other senior centers.  

The 2025 Programs of Excellence winners in each category are: 

Health and Wellness 

• Winner: CT Inspiring Kindness and Gratitude – Berlin Senior Center, Connecticut 

• Honorable Mention: Embrace Solitude & Thrive: Solo Agers Monthly Meetup – Whitney Senior Center, Minnesota 

• Honorable Mention: Bowden Center Barber Shop – Fulton County Department of Senior Services, Georgia 

Modernizing Senior Centers Innovation 

• Winner: Food, Fun, and Friendship – Oak Park Township, Illinois 

• Honorable Mention: Twilight Tuesdays – Forsyth County Senior Services, Georgia 

Intergenerational 

• Winner: Beyond Sight Braille Book Project – Calabasas Senior Center, California 

• Honorable Mention: Morgan Memoirs – Liberty Senior Center, Maryland 

Nutrition 

• Winner: Rock the Crock Senior Workshop Series – Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, New Hampshire 

• Honorable Mention: Community Chef Day – Lee Council on Aging, Massachusetts  

Marketing 

• Winner: Murder Mystery Dinners – Davidson County Senior Services, North Carolina 

• Honorable Mention: Virtual Tour – Marshfield Senior Center, Massachusetts 

Social and Support Services 

• Winner: S.L.A.Y. (Seniors Living Their Active Years) – Pikesville Senior Center, Maryland 

• Honorable Mention: Speed Friending – Town of Cary, North Carolina 

Technology, Virtual, and Hybrid Programming 

• Winner: Bridging Generations and Preserving Memories through Virtual Reality – Macedonia FACE, Pennsylvania 

• Honorable Mention: Virtual Tour of M&T Bank Center – OPAL Center, Maryland 

NCOA celebrated the winners at its 2025 Age+Action Conference in May. All current and past winners also are featured on NCOA’s website in the Programs of Excellence Clearinghouse. 

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging.