Ana Ibarra has been a staff member of her local senior center for over 10 years. When she first started, she was hesitant about the brave new world she was stepping into.

"I was very scared and intimidated when I was presented with this job," Ana admits. She worried about what she could possibly share with older adults.

Her trepidation quickly vanished when she encountered the fun environment and friendliness of the center’s participants.

"I have developed some of the most rewarding relationships," Ana says. "Now I’m very passionate about working with older people. They fill a void of my not having grandparents."

Centers for older adults embody the state’s ongoing commitment to helping people thrive at any age.