Convened in 1988, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging (SWPPA) is a volunteer-led organization with more than 300 members representing more than one million older adults across 10 counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Our members include organizations and businesses, as well as individual members such as civic leaders, business owners, medical professionals, scholars, professionals in aging services, students and residents of all ages.

We act as a catalyst to promote policy, program and systems change that improves quality of life for all people, particularly for our oldest generations. We provide a neutral forum for collaboration, education, networking and advocacy.

We offer both individual and organizational/business memberships. We engage our members through education, training, advocacy, networking and collaborative efforts. Members are invited to serve on one or more of our committees. Visit our Membership page to learn more about membership and sign up to join us!

Lifetime Achievement

With over 24 years of experience in the long-term care, Margie Zelenak has become an expert in the Assisted Living and Personal Care industry.  As the former Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA), she has brought to the state and national forefront the important role senior living plays in the Long-Term Continuum of Care.

Margie has been recognized by Argentum with their Champion of Seniors and by PALA with the Christine Horn Advocacy Award.  She was recognized in the PA City and State Healthcare 100 for the past 3 years.

Margie represents Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Residences on the Governor’s Long-Term Care Council as the council begins the process of developing the PA Master Plan for older adults.

Margie’s role on the SWPPA Public Policy committee has increased the focus on the services provided by senior living and has assisted in development of the legislative priorities including Medicaid for Assisted Living.  For her years of service in all these capacities, SWPPA proudly presents her with the 2023 Pruitt-Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award.

Age-Friendly Leadership

SWPPA proudly presents Reverend Paul Waite with the 2023 Pruitt-Kelly Age-Friendly Leadership Award. Rev. Waite is a lifelong resident of McKeesport. Upon reenergizing the association with the church, it was noticed that the church was back in 1980’s with technology. By pioneering the upgrade of the church’s technology, the Anna Middleton Waite Learning Center (AMWLC) was born in 2011. In 2014, the AMWLC went on its own and became the Beacon of light to eliminate the Digital Divide amongst our senior population across communities today that is in need of the skills to navigate in our Digital World of Today. Rev. Waite serves as chair of the Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh Digital Access Work Group.

Mark your calendars for
Tuesday, November 28th!

We encourage you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference. We need your help to make our campaign a success!

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