About Us

The Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. (Office for Aging) is a private, not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation funded by the US Administration on Aging, NYS Office for the Aging, local county contributions, and private donations. It was established July 1, 1975, as a result of 1973 amendments to the 1965 Federal Older Americans Act that recognized the government’s responsibility to help the elderly. It is part of the aging network that includes the Federal Administration on Aging, State Units on Aging, and Area Agencies on Aging. The agency is committed to serving the older citizens of Montgomery County. We are an equal opportunity employer/service provider and do not discriminate on basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or any other unlawful basis.

 Traditionally, local offices for aging are sponsored by county government, as some local money is required to receive federal and state funding for services. There are 59 Offices for Aging in New York State. Of these, 56 are sponsored by county government and three are not-for-profit agencies. Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. is one of the three not-for-profits.

 The Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. has had several sponsors since its inception. Mt. Carmel Church (1975 ­– 1989), Montgomery County (1989 – 1992), and Catholic Family & Community Services (1993 – March 1996). The Joshua Foundation became the interim sponsor for the remainder of 1996 until a private, not-for-profit corporation, the Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc., was established and awarded the sponsorship through a competitive bid process.

 According to the 2010 census, the senior population was 11,948, or 24.1% of the total Montgomery County population. It ranks third largest in the state for percent per capita of elderly.

Explore Our History

Arrow to navigate the story of Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc.

1999

In 1999, the Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. purchased property in Palatine Bridge and built a central kitchen to prepare and deliver meals to the older citizens of Montgomery County. Today, the Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. currently serves home-delivered meals to more than 175 seniors Monday-Friday. The Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. also has 3-café=style meal sites offering hot, noon meals.

2008

In May of 2008, the Office for Aging purchased a building at 135 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam and the agency moved to this location in July 2008. The move greatly improved our accessibility and the office has experienced a significant increase in client traffic, as well as a heightened awareness of the agency’s services.

2015

In 2015 our Foundation reinvigorated itself by starting a 40-for-40 campaign with the intent to raise $40,000 in our 40th anniversary year. This successful campaign raised more than $75,000 and a “Giving Tree” was dedicated in memory of Helen Black, a 20+ year volunteer for OFA who bestowed a very generous $150,000 pledge to our Foundation.

2016

In 2016, the Foundation successfully achieved their goal of raising $50,000 for a “Burn the Mortgage” campaign. These funds were utilized to satisfy the agency’s mortgage for the kitchen facility in Palatine Bridge.

2016

In July of 2016, the office opened a satellite office in Canajoharie to extend their physical presence into the western part of the county.

2016

In October of 2016, our Foundation received a $1,000,000 endowment from the estate of Francis Ligmal and George Allen. A monument was unveiled at a reception naming the agency’s commercial kitchen “The Allen Kitchen” in honor of their tremendous donation.

2018

In September of 2018, the Foundation embarked on another “Burn the Mortgage” campaign to raise funds to satisfy the $137,000 balance on the mortgage for the agency’s main office building located at 135 Guy Park Avenue. The campaign was a huge success, and a mortgage burning ceremony was held in September of 2019.  At that time, a new office sign was unveiled that dedicated our home-delivered meals program to Dr. Rao and the Neena Rao Charitable Corporation in honor of their extremely generous donation to the campaign as well as their on-going support of our meals program. The program was officially named the Rao Family Meals of Montgomery.

2020

In 2020, the Foundation received a $500,000 donation to the Rao Family Meals of Montgomery program from Dr. Rao and the Neena Rao Charitable Corporation. This support provides ongoing income to procure meals for several recipients monthly.

Explore Our History

Arrow to navigate the story of Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc.

1999

In 1999, the Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. purchased property in Palatine Bridge and built a central kitchen to prepare and deliver meals to the older citizens of Montgomery County. Today, the Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. currently serves home-delivered meals to more than 175 seniors Monday-Friday. The Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. also has 3-café=style meal sites offering hot, noon meals.

2008

In May of 2008, the Office for Aging purchased a building at 135 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam and the agency moved to this location in July 2008. The move greatly improved our accessibility and the office has experienced a significant increase in client traffic, as well as a heightened awareness of the agency’s services.

2015

In 2015 our Foundation reinvigorated itself by starting a 40-for-40 campaign with the intent to raise $40,000 in our 40th anniversary year. This successful campaign raised more than $75,000 and a “Giving Tree” was dedicated in memory of Helen Black, a 20+ year volunteer for OFA who bestowed a very generous $150,000 pledge to our Foundation.

2016

In 2016, the Foundation successfully achieved their goal of raising $50,000 for a “Burn the Mortgage” campaign. These funds were utilized to satisfy the agency’s mortgage for the kitchen facility in Palatine Bridge.

2016

In July of 2016, the office opened a satellite office in Canajoharie to extend their physical presence into the western part of the county.

2016

In October of 2016, our Foundation received a $1,000,000 endowment from the estate of Francis Ligmal and George Allen. A monument was unveiled at a reception naming the agency’s commercial kitchen “The Allen Kitchen” in honor of their tremendous donation.

2018

In September of 2018, the Foundation embarked on another “Burn the Mortgage” campaign to raise funds to satisfy the $137,000 balance on the mortgage for the agency’s main office building located at 135 Guy Park Avenue. The campaign was a huge success, and a mortgage burning ceremony was held in September of 2019.  At that time, a new office sign was unveiled that dedicated our home-delivered meals program to Dr. Rao and the Neena Rao Charitable Corporation in honor of their extremely generous donation to the campaign as well as their on-going support of our meals program. The program was officially named the Rao Family Meals of Montgomery.

2020

In 2020, the Foundation received a $500,000 donation to the Rao Family Meals of Montgomery program from Dr. Rao and the Neena Rao Charitable Corporation. This support provides ongoing income to procure meals for several recipients monthly.

Our Mission

As a private, not-for-profit organization, our commitment is to serve older Montgomery County citizens and their families, by helping them to maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life.

  • Offer core services to older citizens in Montgomery County.
  • Employ an appropriate number of staff to manage present and future needs.
  • Expand outreach to better serve our non-English speaking citizens.
  • Enhance the agency’s financial stability through effective management, grant writing, special events and other fundraising activities.
  • Improve visibility and interaction with key stakeholders by developing an agency website and involvement in social media sites.

Staff Listing

Laura Penge Burda

Administrative Assistant

Amanda Curtin

Aging Services Nutritionist, SNAP-ED NY

Megan DePasquale

Nutrition Program Manager

John DiMezza

Client Services Representative,
NY Connects Coordinator

Emily Elrod

Client Services Representative, Health Insurance Counseling

David Jordan

Executive Director

Tracy Paradise

Client Services Representative

Ashley Yacobucci

Client Services Representative, Cupboard of Kindness Food and Pet Pantry, Fort Plain

Sally Romano

Case Manager, Rao Family Meals of Montgomery

Jennifer Savage

Office Manager

Meeghan Stock

Program Manager, Legal Services Program

Tammy Thackrah

Client Services Representative, Transportation Program Manager

Keyshla Torres-Duque

Client Services Representative, NY Connects – Bilingual (Spanish)

Jason Walrath

Business Manager

Tim Yager

Maintenance

Meet the Board of Directors

The Montgomery County – Office for Aging, Inc. Board of Directors steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the agency has adequate resources to advance its mission.

Meet the Advisory Council