When Damaris Torres first came to the Basilio Huertas Senior Center in 2013, she immediately formed a wish list. That list included someone to lead exercise and coordinate activities for the seniors, medical staff to monitor their health, and room to grow. Now, with increased programming at the senior center she manages and the recent groundbreaking for an expansion of the senior center, which is part of Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley (HCLV) at 520 E. Fourth St., Tores said, "My wish list came true!"

Seniors, the HCLV's board and staff, and political leaders gathered April 17 for the ceremony, which turned out to be more of a "wallbreaking." Torres and HCLV Executive Director Lorna Velazquez did the honors, with U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez, and Aurea Ortiz, legislative assistant to State Rep. Steve Samuelson, watching.

A senior community center grant of more than $132,000 from the Pa. Department of Aging made the project possible. Over the past four years, Velazquez has worked closely with her staff and the board to develop a roadmap for the future of HCLV. The senior center is an integral part of that future. As a sign of support, board member attorney Kenneth M. Kitay made a surprise donation of $10,000 during the proceedings.

"This is one of the best things that ever happened here," senior Carmen Diaz said of the expansion. "We're very proud and happy; we are getting up there [in importance], too."

Speaking in Spanish, Brunilda Torres added, "This way we will have more space, be more comfortable." The expansion will feature a quiet room so that those who come for the counseling offered by Lehigh University's Community Voices Clinic can escape the noise of the center's more raucous bingo players.

Although the senior center has been part of HCLV since the 1970s, today it offers much more than it did in days past and the community embraces the expansion of services. Fifty to 60 seniors partake of hot meals offered twice a day during the week for a modest and optional donation that goes to the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging; Silver Sneakers classes take place twice a week; and on Mondays and Thursdays two nurses come from St. Luke's University Hospital to monitor seniors' blood sugar, check blood pressure and offer health counseling.

Although the seniors who come to the center are "99 percent Spanish-speaking" - not surprising, given the largely Hispanic population in a one-mile radius around the center - seniors do not need to speak Spanish or even identify as Hispanic to come to the Senior Center, said Kimberly Bush, HCLV development coordinator.

"Our goal is to help seniors live full and independent lives and we would prefer to have them come here than stay home in despair," Bush said.

Some of the seniors live alone or are dealing with depression.

"Without the Center, I'd be lost," said Ismael Rodriguez, a native of Patillas in Puerto Rico who has been coming to the center for 22 years.

"Seniors are the model for the younger people," said John Mehler, director of the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging, in remarks at the groundbreaking. HCLV has plans in that regard, too.

With the donation of a building at 502 E. Third St. by the late Linny Fowler, plans are under way for a youth center that includes not only social aspects but a health and wellness component, too, inspired by the successes at the Basilio Huertas Senior Center.

For information about Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and the Basilio Huertas Senior Center, call 610-868-7800 or visit www.hclv.org.