Bethany Towers Retirement Community Welcomes St. Barnabas Senior Services

Unique Collaboration Between Retirement Community and Senior Services Organization Marks First of its Kind in Greater Los Angeles Area

Bethany Towers, a not-for-profit full-service retirement community located at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, welcomed St. Barnabas Senior Services’ (SBSS’) Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center to its complex on Aug. 19.  Unprecedented in the Greater Los Angeles Area, Bethany Towers and SBSS are the first organizations to initiate a collaboration between a full-service retirement community and a senior center.

Both organizations share the vision of innovation and commitment to meeting the needs of seniors in Los Angeles. The SBSS Hollywood Senior Center’s relocation to Bethany Towers allows its residents to gain additional access to social services, transportation services, educational programs, and social activities, as well as fitness and wellness programs. SBSS Hollywood Senior Center patrons will dine in Bethany Towers’ elegant dining room for lunch Monday through Friday.

“Relocating SBSS Hollywood Senior Center to a dynamic retirement community is an unprecedented collaboration in the Greater Los Angeles Area,” said Rigo J. Saborio President & CEO of SBSS. “We are excited to be collaborating with an organization that shares our mission of service and commitment to developing innovative programs for seniors.”

Bethany Towers, managed by Front Porch, one of Southern California’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior living communities, offers the rich history of Hollywood’s golden age in its art deco architecture and inspired décor. The community has its share of Hollywood lore as well. Legendary comedian Jack Benny once lived in the penthouse, and the Andrew Sisters kept an entire floor just for their guests. Bethany Towers offers residents chef-prepared meals daily, a library and a computer and Nintendo Wii gaming center. The community also has an innovative program, “Students in Residence” through which local university gerontology students live at the community while volunteering. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for us at Bethany Towers to break new ground in our industry,” said Shaun Rushforth, administrator of Bethany Towers, who himself began as a USC gerontology student living at Kingsley Manor Retirement Community in Hollywood. “Collaborating with a strong organization such as SBSS not only expands the services and programs available to our residents, but also demonstrates our commitment to being an active participant in the larger community. We are excited to embrace an even greater number of seniors in the Los Angeles area.”

Known for pioneering programs that promote healthy aging, prolong independence, and enhance the dignity of nearly 18,000 seniors annually, SBSS has become a leader in Greater Los Angeles in service to the City’s older adults. SBSS is a dynamic not-for-profit organization that is widely recognized for its innovative programs. The organization operates two Senior Multipurpose Centers, an Adult Day Healthcare Center and provides a wide array of innovative wellness and longevity programming to seniors in Mid-City Los Angeles and Hollywood. SBSS plans to replicate its signature Cyber Café at Bethany Towers for all to enjoy this fall.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to be welcomed so graciously to Bethany Towers,” added Saborio, “We look forward to this collaboration producing many new opportunities through which we can help seniors Live Well, Feel Well and Age Well.”