On Friday, April 24, 2009, the Chester NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) awarded SCS’s Executive Director, Arthur Weisfeld its prestigious President’s Award at The Event Center at Harrah’s in Chester. The Award Ceremony took place at a brief reception and dinner at which Arthur was recognized for his outstanding work in the community.
       According to Darrell V. Jones, Chester NAACP President, “The President’s Award is to honor those who have made a positive impact on our community. It is our way to publicly acknowledge these individuals and thank them for their contributions to our community.”
      Besides his work at Senior Community Services, Arthur is a founding Director of Community Transit of Delaware County, Delaware County Federation of Senior Centers, and Co-Founder and President emeritus of the Pennsylvania Association of Senior Centers. Arthur also serves as Treasurer and longtime Trustee of the Media-Providence Friends School. Among his many awards, Arthur received The President’s Award from the Center for Ethnic and Minority Aging in 2007.
      But, perhaps Arthur’s greatest love is Senior Community Services. SCS is now the Delaware County’s largest non-profit provider of programs for older adults, thanks largely to Arthur’s innovative guidance. SCS operates four Nationally Accredited Senior Centers, offers many self-enrichment and learning opportunities for adults, a plethora of support services for homebound elderly, and social services and help for families who are caring for loved ones.
Arthur’s interest in older adults was a gradual thing. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in Social Welfare. Shortly after graduation Arthur served as a caseworker with the Department of Public Assistance in Philadelphia. This experience piqued his interest in working with the elderly. Arthur then joined Philadelphia’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which again strengthened his desire to work with the elderly. He enrolled in Bryn Maw School of Social Work and Social Research and earned his Master of Social Service degree.
      While he was earning his Master’s degree, Arthur interned with COSA (the County Office of Services for the Aging) and partnered with other graduate students on a senior center services project. The project, which was a huge success, eventually morphed into Senior Community Services (SCS) in 1977. Arthur has been SCS’s Executive Director ever since, and has continued his work in the community.
      “I am deeply honored to receive such a prestigious award from an organization for which I have such admiration and respect.” related Arthur of the NAACP Award. “I look forward to continuing my commitment to the community, but most especially to this agency and the positive impact it makes in Delaware County.”