Community Services

Throughout Covid-19 staff has been working and can be reached by phone at 203-891-4787.

AARP canceled all programs through the end of the year. For those interested in the AARP Smart Driver online course, their is an online class. AARP is offering a special 25% off discount through the remainder of the year. Visit the AARP Driver Safety website, www.aarpdriversafety.org and enter the promo code “DRIVINGSKILLS”. This discount is good until the December 31, 2020.

Many people have relied on the Senior Center’s AARP Tax Help Program. The AARP Tax Volunteers will not be returning this year. However I found that the AARP Foundation is offering online tax help: 

https://signup.aarpfoundation.org/preparing-your-taxes-online/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=tax_aide_2020&cmp=TAXEAIDE_2020_PPC_GoogleSearch

If you would like to make your own face mask at home with Suzanne Anderson and Rae Maclellan click on the Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N687-ULTxp8&feature=youtu.be

If you are missing our classes, and you like Chair Exercise click on the link: https://media.discovervideo.com/show?vg=2e01f56ca0&vt=1&ch=f0ba0e7d06. OGAT filmed Suzanne Anderson leading Rae Maclellan in Chair Exercise. Now you can exercise from home! 

if you would like to try some Art & Crafts: Zen Doodle with Suzanne Anderson and Rae Maclellan click on the Video Link: https://youtu.be/u0LFUCELn10.

Also, would you be interested in Virtual Yoga with Andrea Cashman, or Virtual Tai CHi with David Chandler or Virtual Zumba Gold with Danielle Petitt, call the Senior Center and give us your email address and the instructor with email you a Zoom link to join the class. 

If you are interested in online grocery shopping watch our You Tube Video at: https://youtu.be/fWUN7ILGwRM to learn how.

Frozen Meals 

Orange Community Services in conjunction with our congregate lunch program has arranged for a special frozen meal program consisting of a box of 5 frozen meals during the Covid-19 pandemic. We can deliver them or you can come by and pick the meals up. Delivery is only available to Orange residents. Call the office to complete an application. Suggested donation is $3 per meal, would be greatly appreciated is your are able. Below is a picture representing the contents of the frozen meal box. Delivery is usually mid day Thursdays.

Thank You to Rotary

Orange Community Services would like to thank the Orange Rotary Club for their generous donation of food purchased with grant funds obtained to remediate needs due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.  We also thank the Orange Rotary for the most generous monetary donation to the Orange Food Bank.  These donations will help replenish and sustain the Orange Food Bank with many needed items to assist Orange residents and families in need during this most challenging time. Your support is so very much appreciated.



Thank You Lions Club of Orange

Thank you to the Orange Lions for their generous donation of food and gift cards to the Orange Food Bank. Your support is so greatly appreciated especially during these most challenging times. 
Legal Clinic

Due to the current Covid-19 situation the Law Firm of  Floman and DePaola are unable to conduct the monthly free legal clinic for Orange senior residents on the first Wednesday of each month at High Plains Community Center. Please be aware that the office of Floman and Depaola is available for Orange senior residents that may need legal advice during these difficult times.  You can reach the office by phone at 203-795-1211 or email office@flomandepaola.com



Per Diem Driver Opportunity Available

  1. job posting driver

New and Revised Resource Directory

  1. 2020 Seniors Resource Directory

The Community Services Department is responsible for planning, providing and coordinating social services for Orange residents of all ages. Community Services Department includes Senior Services, Outreach/Municipal Agent Services, Special Needs Services, Transportation Services, Behavioral Health Services through Bridges Health Care, Food Bank and Fuel Assistance, Elderly Nutrition Program, Volunteer Opportunities for residents of all ages.

A Word from the Director

Hello everyone. These are challenging times for our community, our state, our country and the world. The Corona Virus pandemic is evolving rapidly. Governors of each state have made Emergency Declarations. Governor Lamont, as part of Connecticut’s Emergency Declaration delegated the Public Health Directors of each municipality the authority to make public health decisions.  Because of the high risk of the spread of the virus through close contact, certain restrictions have been put in place to protect the public. Please be assured that the Town of Orange, coordinated through our Emergency Management Advisory Council (EMAC) and Covid-19 committee both consisting of major stakeholders at leadership levels such as the Director of Health, Health Department, Police, Fire, Community Services, Clergy, and other key town departments and community leaders are taking every measure possible to keep our community safe. “If you have to choose between being kind and being right, always choose being kind and you will always be right” (author unknown).  Please take care, stay safe and healthy. If you need any assistance please give a call at 203-891-4788.

Joan Cretella

Director Orange Community Services

Contact Us

  1. Joan Cretella

    Director of Community Services
    Email Joan Cretella
    Phone: 203-891-4786
    More Information

  2. Kimberly Callahan

    Admin Assistant & Transportation Coordinator
    Email Kimberly Callahan
    Phone: 203-891-4788
    More Information

  3. Physical Address
    High Plains Community Center
    525 Orange Center Road
    Orange, CT 06477


    Directory

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 8:30 – 4:30