Nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley benefit greatly from grants and donations to ensure they can maintain their operating expenses, which, in the mid-2020s, can be costly.
A recent grant from the Dr. Abram I. and Sylvia S. Chasens Endowment Fund via the Inland Empire Community Foundation has given The Joslyn Center an opportunity to move forward with even greater ease.
The long-time and revered nonprofit, which has been actively enhancing the well-being of adults aged 50+ in the area through its pioneering services and programs, will use the grant funding to cover operating expenses.
It has given Greg Murphy, the organization’s director of development and marketing, an opportunity to take stock of several key growth areas that emerged over the last year. One of them found the center winding down its Meals on Wheels program.
“It was somewhat redundant to the county program,” Murphy said. “We looked at the overhead and the number of people served, and we believed that the clients were better off with the county program. The food is prepared fresh and is a better benefit to the clients in the program.”
In addition, the board took note of member feedback and invested in three outdoor pickleball courts. Two of them were underwritten by donors, and the third was funded by the board.
“That’s been in play, pun intended, since October,” Murphy said of the courts. “We’ve been having a really good spring, and people are still out there playing in the sun when it’s not too hot yet.”
Further back, in March 2025, Penny’s Pantry, which sprang to life in 2011, providing fresh produce and non-perishable food to thousands of low-income seniors each year, merged with the center’s farmer’s market to become the Joslyn Community Food Bank.
These re-aligned efforts better provide food to those who have challenges purchasing enough of it to avoid hunger. The food bank is open Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Another thing the nonprofit has leaned into over the past couple of years was to install solar panels on its roofs.
“It you think about a 27,000 square foot facility here, we have 15 functioning HPAC units, and it takes a lot of expense to keep those things operating during summertime,” Murphy said. “The solar panels have helped us out a lot.”
Meanwhile, fresh off a recent volunteer’s luncheon in early April, Murphy says volunteer opportunities abound and directs those interested in getting involved with the organization to visit its website and submit their information.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars. The center is planning a Father’s Day luncheon as well as a Fourth of July barbecue.
“We just had a big fundraising event in early April,” Murphy noted of the gathering — another fundraising event takes place at the beginning of the season. “These events are important and we’re always looking to attract new volunteers, new members and new donors.”
Those big events also shine the light on the center’s various programs — from adult bereavement, the Better Brain Balance class, book clubs and caregiver support groups to table tennis, bingo, American Mahjong, guitar lessons and even meditation classes.
The Joslyn Wellness Center is yet another standout. It has been praised for its holistic approach and the variety of modalities it offers. The center focuses on aging, memory and mobility, and uses thought, memory, exercise programs and the strength of community to help improve life experiences.
Now a nationally recognized entity, the Wellness Center’s unique approach to wellness among older adults is valued. It is also the first of its kind to offer free bilingual counseling services to adults in need.
Learn more at joslyncenter.org.
The Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy. This grant was made possible by a gift from the Dr. Abram I. and Sylvia S. Chasens Endowment Fund, established in 2007 to benefit the Joslyn Center in perpetuity. The IECF Charitable Giving Team can assist you in establishing a fund that supports the causes you care about. Contact them at giving@iegives.org or visit iegives.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Community Foundation grant strengthens impact of The Joslyn Center
Reporting by Greg Archer, Inland Empire Community Foundation / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Greg Archer, Inland Empire Community Foundation | USA TODAY Network
