Service Program for Older People (SPOP)

The mission of Service Program for Older People (SPOP) is to enhance the quality of life of older adults and to foster their independent living through the delivery of comprehensive mental health and supportive services, advocacy, and education. Founded in 1979, SPOP was one of the first agencies in the U.S. to focus on meeting the mental health needs of older adults living in the community. It has evolved from a neighborhood-based agency serving primarily Holocaust survivors to a borough-wide resource that works in partnership with hospitals, medical providers, and social service agencies. SPOP provides professional mental healthcare to 1,000 adults annually; the majority of clients are low-income and 70% are over age 70. Programs include a Licensed Clinic, which offers psychotherapy and psychiatry; a PROS program, which provides group-based psychiatric rehabilitation support for older adults with serious mental illness; and workforce training in aging and mental health.