The Center began in 1958 as a small frame house. During the 1980's, many expansions were made, resulting in the current facility made up of four buildings and 35,000 square feet of usable space. We currently have about 100 organizations that meet here (Senior Anglers, Garden Club, North County Videomakers, Toastmasters, Camera Club, Palomar Audubon Society, Escondido Art Association, Alcoholics Anonymous, Jewish War Veterans, San Pasqual Battlefield Association, and Palomar Gem and Mineral, just to name a few). The older adults themselves run most of the programs at the Center. Over 100,000 people enter through the doors on an annual basis.

The Escondido Joslyn Senior Center is one of the largest and most well-equipped centers in the country. It houses pool tables, shuffleboard courts, craft and gift shops, card and chess rooms, a library, a large auditorium with a stage, a dining room and a TV lounge. Vegetable garden plots are also available. Exercise classes at many levels of individual abilities are held at the Center every Tuesday and Thursday morning. There are dances every Tuesday afternoon and Saturday evening. A large lobby and comfortable sofas facilitate friendly gatherings and coffee and snacks are always available. Participants find these programs meet their social and recreational needs.

The Senior Service Council, Escondido (SSCE), organized in June 1972, serves the needs of seniors, low-income, disabled, and minorities. It is a non-profit corporation with no paid employees and charges no fee for its services or membership. SSCE is not "sponsored," subsidized, or financially supported by any organization or governmental agency, except for the Dorothy E. Boeger Building (DEBB) itself which is provided by the City of Escondido. Following are some of the services and programs provided by this group of volunteers:

• Health Insurance & Medicare Information
• "HEAP" State of California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, when available
• A.A.R.P. 55 Alive Driving Classes
• Income Tax Assistance
• Legal Aid, Wills, Personal Finance, Notary Public Assistance
• Medical Professionals
• Computer Training Program classes in Apple Mac/iMac and Microsoft Windows and Works geared for and taught by older adults
• Smoke Detectors
• Vial of Life Program

SSCE also organizes and provides many medical screenings including a blood pressure clinic every week, dental, eye screening, hearing health, podiatry, and diabetes blood sugar screening. Support groups are also available for Alzheimer's, Better Breather's Club, Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, "Shhh" (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing) and stroke support groups.