Senior Services names new CEO

Paula Houston, CEO Senior Services

Paula H. Houston M.H.A. has been named Chief Executive Officer of Senior Services, a non-profit agency that provides services and self-help programs for thousands of older adults, through six senior centers including the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center.

Ms. Houston was formerly Executive Director, Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA where she led programs and classes for all ages and abilities to support growth in spirit, mind and body in Seattle’s central area. Additionally, she has held leadership positions with the Seattle-King County Public Health Department and Country Doctor Community Health Centers.

“Paula Houston was selected CEO for her breadth of experience, understanding of the challenges ahead with a growing elder population and the passion to build on our near 50 year heritage,” said board chairman John Norden. ‘With more emphasis on wellness in recent decades, those 85 and up and the Baby Boomer generation are growing rapidly. Paula will work with our staff, volunteers, government and private interests to lead Senior Services in the creation of partnerships to leverage and deliver education and advocacy to help people age in their own way.”

“I am looking forward to taking the helm and leading Senior Services into the future. We are in a unique time in the area of serving our aging population with an organization that has such a strong foundation.  Maintaining traditional services for the 75+ population is important, while figuring out the needs of baby boomers – and creating innovative ways to meet those needs in collaboration with existing partners and those to come,” Ms. Houston said. “I am passionate about the organization’s potential, anxious to learn more about the critical role of senior centers play, and making certain resources are available and accessible to all populations.”

“Senior centers are the heart of our ability to reach older adults and their families with meaningful programs,” she said, “and I expect to work closely with each center to help them become even more vital to helping older people ‘age in their own way’.”

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Senior Services is a 501C3 non-profit organization that promotes positive aging for 60,000 older adults as well as other people with disabilities and those family and friends who care for them. With a staff of 250 and more than 3,400 volunteers, Senior Services’ key programs include six Senior Centers, adult day health, food programs like Meals on Wheels and community dining, information and assistance, transportation, wellness, caregiver support and minor home repair. Its broad revenue base includes government, United Way, earned income, service fees and private donations.