History

There was a time in recent history when older adults, struggling with the emotional and social challenges of aging, had little recourse beyond the family. For many of these older adults, events such as the loss of a spouse, the onset of depression, or the loss of independence, could make life itself difficult to endure.

Originally called, New York Service Program for Older People, SPOP was founded in 1972 by a consortium of health care and social service providers that recognized the need for mental health services among the older population of Manhattan’s West Side.  Beginning as a program of Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., SPOP became an independent, not-for-profit organization in 1979 with funding from the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Alcoholism Services (now the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene).  In 2006, the agency’s name was changed to Service Program for Older People.

Over the course of 35 years, we’ve expanded to include a wide range of mental health and support services, delivered in numerous locations throughout Manhattan. To this day, SPOP remains one of the only organizations in New York City that focuses exclusively on the needs of older adults, and serves over 1,000 individuals each year.

Funding for SPOP is provided by city and state agencies; Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance reimbursements; modest fees, and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individual donors.