DE HOSTOS SENIOR CENTER
Ensure the independence, welfare and self-sufficiency
within the Miami-Dade County Senior Community
About De Hostos Senior Center
De Hostos Senior Center (DHSC) is a non-profit organization created in 1974, section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, charitable, which was formally established in 1992 in Wynwood, Miami. Since the beginning, our main objective has been to provide comprehensive services to people over 60 years of age who are below the poverty level, to ensure their independence, welfare and self-sufficiency within the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County communities.
For over 40 years, we have provided services and assistance to an important segment of the Miami-Dade County community, specifically, the growth of Allapattah, Wynwood and Little Havana community on a consistent basis. Sectors of District 1, District 3, and District 5 of City of Miami and Miami-Dade County which is mostly formed by a Hispanic population with needs due to the aging of the population.
Eugenio María De Hostos
Our name comes from the Puerto Rican philosopher and teacher Eugenio María De Hostos who dedicated his life to the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico, the unity of the Antilles and America since 1868. His positivism, introduced a new pedagogy aimed at forming “human beings complete “able to build free societies in their own countries. His teachings and philosophy are reflected in the beliefs of De Hostos Senior Center.
Our Mission
Through education, we want to provide an adequate standard of living and well-being to those in need, regardless of their geriatric status or disability status. With the intention of improving and maintaining their physical and mental abilities.
Positioning ourselves among the main organizations in Miami-Dade County and providing a delivery system for the elderly in need in the community of Wynwood, Allapattah, Little Haiti, North Miami, Edison, Brownsville, Model City, Overtown and Little Havana (District 1, District 3, and District 5).
Our Partners
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Our Values
RESPECT
Respect is one of our vital values to develop an appropriate social and cultural environment for the people we are addressing. We offer the opportunity to participate to defend citizens with little representation and give them effective solutions that improve their quality of life. At DHSC we defend the people who participate with us.
INTEGRITY
Adequate integrity and responsibility are the fundamental pillars to achieve our mission and responsibility before the community. Thanks to the coherence of our services, we gain recognition and achieve an alignment between what we say, what we do and how we do it.
RESPONSIBILITY
Food Programs
We distribute healthy, balanced and nutritional food for breakfast and lunch through collaborations and support from the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County. We deliver frozen food to homes for the disabled.
Congregate Meal Program
Distribution of one breakfast and one meal a day at DHSC (1897 NW 20th St Miami, FL 33142) during the 281 days of the year. In addition to the delivery of food, we educate about what is good food and its importance along with food. This nutritional education includes six workshops twice a year in which there is an educational, recreational, health prevention and physical and nutritional conditioning evaluation.
Requirements to participate
Must be 60 years of age or older and / or have a disability that lives at or below the poverty level. Special attention is given to disabled and diabetic participants with high blood pressure.
Schedule
Breakfast Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 am.
Lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 p.m – 12:30 p.m.
*(Every Monday from 11:00AM- 2:00PM until finishes) Not including holidays.*
HomeBound Meal Program
Distribution of frozen meals during 281 days of the year. Every Tuesday of the week, a box of 5 frozen meals will be delivered to the homes of the participants with nutritional information and recommendations indicated by a professional nutritionist.
Requirements to participate : Must be 60 years of age or older and/or have a disability that live at or below the poverty level.
Food Distribution
Every Monday
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
1 Wednesday a month
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(until food finishes)
Not including holidays.
Activities
We organize a variety of activities such as domino tournament, bingo, dance, field trips, health and wellness fair, crafts activities and much more to entertain our elderly physically and mentally healthy.
Social Activities
We celebrate dances and birthday parties.
Educational Activities
We organize classes to keep our elders documented about public, nutritional and health information. We have professional speakers from different disciplines of the University of Miami and social workers who offer educational information for the prevention of fraud and personal safety.
Games
Dominoes , cards, bingo, dances, field trips
Sports & Wellness
Sports and Wellness Exercises , Tai Chi, medical history, medical services, and gym sections.
Millions
Other art and craft activities , special events, educational classes (computer science, creative writing, history, reading debates), group excursions, intergenerational projects, legal services, counseling (public, financial and psychological), Social references We provide information and referrals to those people who need a psychologist or a health checkup. Driver licenses. We provide assistance to acquire the driving license.
COVID-19 Resources
Mobile Testing Center
PCR Oral Swab Test
Mobile testing vans are located across Miami-Dade County. For questions about mobile testing, call 786-746-7887.
Volunteers
We value the time and the support of our volunteers who make our elders feel happy in our center. Your help is fundamental for them and for us.
The type of activities:
● Clean the dining room before and after lunch
● Distribution of food to the elderly
● Organize events and games
The benefits offered by participating as a volunteer:
● Communitary hours
● Acknowledgement letter
● Support references
Donations
Every dollar we receive helps to give our elders a better service and dedication. We are a non-profit organization, exempt from taxes under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to De Hostos Senior Center are tax deductible for each donor.
To donate by check, please send checks to
De Hostos Senior Center
1897 NW 20th St, Bldg C Miami, FL 33142
Click the button below to Donate
Our Story
OVER THE YEARS
Center Aperture
Center Aperture 1978
On November 19, 1977, in celebration of the 484th anniversary of the discovery of the island of Puerto Rico, Miami Dade County dedicated and opened the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community Service Center in Honor of one of Puerto Ricos greatest heroes in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.
Initial Proclamation of DHSS by de City of Miami
Miami-Dade County proudly acknowledged the remarkable accomplishments of our Puerto Rican citizens, whose contributions enhance the quality of life in our community as a whole, especially our senior citizens.
Director Vincent Delgado Joins De Hostos
In recognition of an extensive history of dedicated social and community work spanning the United States and Puerto Rico, the esteemed Vicente Delgado was bestowed the honorable position of Director of De Hostos Senior Center in 2015.
Social and Cultural Impact in the community through events and activities
In 2016, De Hostos Senior Center embarked on a journey to infuse cultural vibrancy into the heart of Wynwood, Miami, FL. We embraced the spirit of cultural engagement by curating events such as the “De Hostos Fashion Show,” the “Turkey Walk,” and the heartwarming “La Parranda de Navidad,” curating memorable experiences for our senior community members.
ZICA (Epicenter of ZICA awareness & Education)
During the Zika epidemic in 2016, De Hostos Senior Center stood as a pillar of support for the Wynwood Community, playing a crucial role in offering Zika testing, education, and awareness services.
De Hostos Day” Proclamation by the City of Miami
With utmost honor, Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez of Miami-Dade County, Chairman Esteban Bovo Jr., and the esteemed Members of the Board of County Commissioners, extend their proclamation on behalf of Miami-Dade County and the community. They hereby declare Friday, May 18, as a day of distinction and recognition, officially designated as “De Hostos Senior Center Day.
First testing site for Covid- 19 in the Wynwood Community
In 2019, amidst the outbreak of the Coronavirus, De Hostos Senior Center emerged as one of the initial testing sites in the Wynwood Community, offering crucial support during these challenging times.
Covid-19 Treatment, Education, resource center
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, De Hostos Senior Center played a pivotal role as a cornerstone site for Covid vaccination, education, and resources, offering invaluable aid and support to the community.
