An edition of the Littleton Independent
WEEK OF JUNE 15, 2023
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 30
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Budget concerns highlighted in State of the County BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The City of Centennial and the YMCA of Metro Denver celebrated the opening of the Centennial YMCA Center of Generations at The Streets at SouthGlenn shopping complex June 7. PHOTO BY TAYLER SHAW
YMCA opens at SouthGlenn in Centennial BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Cheers and laughter echoed along The Streets at SouthGlenn shopping complex as the City of Centennial and the YMCA of Metro Denver celebrated the opening of the Centennial YMCA Center of Generations. Equipped with game rooms, fitness equipment and interactive technology like a 3D printer, the center — located at 6972 S. Vine St. — aims to be a multigenerational
space for young people and older adults to enjoy. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about this,” Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko said during the June 7 grand opening. “This was a long time coming.” YMCA of Metro Denver President and CEO Sue Glass, a resident of Centennial herself, explained the initial conversations about a partnership with Centennial centered on how to address social isolation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
After Arapahoe County commissioners highlighted dozens of infrastructure projects and social initiatives they successfully supported in 2022, the State of the County address on June 7 took on a more serious tone. “We have a substantial funding crisis,” District 5 Commissioner Bill Holen said. American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funds sustained many of the county’s initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. But as those funds run out, the county is facing the fact that inflation, increasing demand for services and TABOR restrictions have created a serious financial problem that must be solved. County accomplishments and ARPA funds
social isolation differs from loneliness in that social isolation is a lack of social connections, while loneliness is the feeling of being alone regardless of the amount of social contact. Older adults are at an increased risk for loneliness and social isolation as they are more likely to live alone, face health issues and experience the loss of family or friends, per the CDC. Social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed ARPA to help the country recover economically from the impacts of the pandemic and recession. Arapahoe County received a onetime allocation of $127.5 million to support vulnerable populations, businesses, health initiatives, housing, infrastructure, education, public health and county operations. During the State of the County address, commissioners highlighted that ARPA helped them support the GOALS program, which stands for “generational opportunities to achieve longterm success.”
SEE YMCA, P12
SEE COUNTY, P4
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 26
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Landmark 20th
July 28, 29 & 30
Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
Dancers Welcome!
Free Parking!
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