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Asian American Resource Center

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Asian American Resource Center Senior Program

AARC Senior Program is designed to support intergenerational wellness and education needs of Austin-area residents, age 50 and up, with a focus on pan-Asian American culture and community. AARC Senior Program partners with Austin Parks and Recreation (APR)'s Congregate Meal Program with Meals on Wheels (MOW) and Senior Transportation.

Join us to build community, engage with your peers, and try new things!

Senior Program participants play ukelele at Gratitude Fest

How to Register for AARC Senior Program

To join the AARC Senior Program, complete the registration form and submit it in person at the AARC or by email at AARC@AustinTexas.gov. Registrants must sign the registration form using a wet signature or electronic signature; typed signatures will not be accepted.

Transportation

The AARC partners with Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) Senior Transportation to provide limited transportation to the AARC from pre-determined consolidated stops. To join the APR Senior Transportation program, complete their registration form in wet ink and submit it in person at the AARC or directly to APR Senior Transportation staff.

You must arrange pickup directly with APR Senior Transportation before you ride. To arrange pickup or for any questions about transportation to the AARC, contact APR Senior Transportation at 512-974-1464 or by email at SRTransportation@AustinTexas.gov with your name, the desired pickup date, and destination.

Congregate Meal Program

The AARC partners with Austin Parks and Recreation (APR)'s Congregate Meal Program, which works with Meals on Wheels (MOW). MOW provides healthy meals to over eight recreation/neighborhood and senior activity centers throughout Austin.

To register for meals, participants must complete the intake paperwork with the MOW Site Coordinator in-person at the AARC. Meals on Wheels provides meals at the AARC every Monday through Thursday from 12:15 to 12:45pm. Meals are limited to registered program participants, ages 60 and older.

Accessibility  

The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. The AARC facility and parking lot are ADA compliant and accessible.

For everyone’s safety and comfort, Senior Program participants must be able to perform activities of daily living (e.g., eating, using the restroom, entering and exiting vehicles, etc.) independently or with the assistance of a caregiver. For more resources, including language access support or interpretation, contact 3-1-1 or Relay Texas 7-1-1.

Therapeutic Recreation - Modifications and Support Team: City of Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to join in recreation activities together, fostering acceptance and inclusion. 

If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation or service, please contact the APR program site about Therapeutic Recreation-Modifications and Support. If you have additional questions or want more information on services provided, please email TRModSupport@austintexas.gov.

Senior Program participants sitting in the ballroom watching a sitar performance

Senior Program Activities

Activities are tailored for people age 50 and older and subject to change based on instructor availability and program needs. Instructor-led and open play activities are available to registered program participants on a drop-in and first-come, first-served basis. The AARC is a shared space and open to all.

Disclaimer: Physical activity may create the risk of unanticipated injuries. Please seek the advice of your doctor before beginning any new physical activity. 

Instructor-Led Activities

  • Wellness: Activities include tai chi, gentle yoga, Bollywood, meditation, and more.
  • Education: Participants can choose from various classes where they can learn music, practice language skills, make crafts, garden, cook, improve technology skills, and engage with community resources.

Open Play Activities

  • Tea and Coffee: Fresh tea and coffee are served from 10 to 11am for all Senior Program participants.
  • Games: Rooms are available for table tennis, mahjong, and other games during Senior Program hours, Monday through Thursday from 10am to 2pm.
  • Quiet Lounge
AARC Senior Program calendar October 2026
View the PDF of the October 2026 Senior Program calendar.
Volunteer with the Senior Program

  • Program Support: General volunteers may assist with Senior Program activities, such as helping with lunch distribution, tech literacy class, prepping craft activity materials, and other tasks as needed by AARC staff. 

    Sign up for a shift on GivePulse.

  • Wellness and Education Instructor: We work with volunteer instructors to provide a variety of wellness and education activities for the Senior Program. Activities can include gentle yoga, meditation, dance, sewing, singing, or any other types of activities that can be adapted for people age 50 years and older. Volunteers should have experience or training in their proposed activity. We require volunteer instructors to complete a criminal background investigation.

    If you are interested in becoming a volunteer instructor, email Miranda.delaRea@AustinTexas.gov.

Other Resources

  • Drive A Senior is a local non-profit that connects Austin area volunteer drivers with seniors who need rides.
  • ADA Accessible Transportation: Capital Metro has wheelchair accessible and ADA transportation options available. For more information, contact Capital Metro, Metro Access Services at 512-389-7501.
  • AGE of Central Texas: Adult daycare and respite 

Page last updated: October 7, 2026