Janet Goeske Foundation

The Janet Goeske Foundation is committed to enriching the quality of life of those 50 & older in the community we serve while maintaining the highest level of advocacy and providing health & wellness programs.

JGF’s core programming focuses on providing a whole-person centered environment for health & wellness. We know that physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being are essential for maintaining quality of life and we strive to meet the needs of our seniors in these areas. We currently offer over 160 regular weekly activities, including: 50 exercise classes, 50 social groups/clubs, 30 art classes, 20 on-site senior services, and 10 support groups. We also feature various special events and educational seminars throughout the year, including (but not limited to): the Fifty & Better Health Fair, Independence Day BBQ & Concert, Black History Program, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, and an annual Senior Conference. 

Geographically JGF is located within the city of Riverside, CA but our activities, programs, classes and services are made available to anyone aged 50 or better who walks through our doors. Approximately 60% of our senior patrons live within the city of Riverside and 30% live within Riverside County. Our patron population is quite diverse with seniors identifying themselves as follows: 45% Caucasian, 30% Hispanic, 15% African American, 6% Asian, 3% Native American, and 1% Pacific Islander. 

Nearly 80% of those we serve are from low-to-moderate income levels as defined by HUD Income Guidelines/Limits. Because we serve such an economically challenged demographic it is important that we maintain all of our programs, services, activities, and events at no or very low cost. This model is sometimes challenging but JGF chooses to maintain it because it is so valuable to the vulnerable and underserved population of patrons that we regularly see.

JGF’s approach to health and wellness is incomparable to any other senior advocacy organization in the region. For this reason, The Center has become a “destination” senior center, with residents of other communities driving past their own city-run senior centers to attend ours. The Center is a seven day a week operation that is open 84 hours per week. This is nearly double the operating hours of other local senior centers.

The Center currently hosts over 240,000 patron visits per year (approximately 20,000 per month). Since opening our doors 30 years ago we have more than doubled in size (from 12,000sqft to 25,000sqft) and further expansion is on the horizon.

Our future includes increasing advocacy for seniors, along with improving and expanding access to programs, services and resources. We are poised to produce a much greater impact on seniors through enhanced efforts of development and outreach outside the traditional bricks-and-mortar of “The Center”.