FROM YOUNGEST TO OLDEST ONE SENIOR FACILITY PARTNERS THE ELDERLY WITH YOUNGSTERS.

Byline: - Lisa Van Proyen

Mondays and Thursdays are Norman Dudley's favorite days of the week.

That's when the retired UCLA librarian energetically reads books for toddlers or gently rocks a baby to sleep at Onegeneration day-care facility in Van Nuys.

``It makes me happy for the whole day,'' said Dudley, 81, who has four grandchildren. ``It reminds me of my own children. It makes me glad I've lived this long. It's just wonderful.''

Onegeneration, declared a Congressional Model of Excellence for 2003-04, marks one of a myriad of enriching programs for aging adults who make the San Fernando Valley their home.

The Valley is home to 182,053 seniors, ages 60 and over, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Five multipurpose senior centers and more than 60 clubs serve the population, with as many as 600 daily participants at the Southwest Valley Senior Services and Resource Center in Reseda, according to the Los Angeles Department of Aging.

``The San Fernando Valley has a lot of wonderful programs available to seniors, and it's very encouraging to see the (participant) numbers going up and up,'' said Kelly Bruno, vice-president of intergenerational programs at Onegeneration.

Dudley recently joined the shared site for adult and child day care that unites about 70 seniors with nearly 100 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

Together, the seniors and toddlers create art projects, cook and play piano from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The program includes a nursing staff, social workers, physical and occupational therapists.

Besides the traditional trips and tours, hot meals and bingo games, centers throughout the Valley offer an array of unique programs, including The Living Library, in which seniors partner up with Los Angeles Unified School District classes to share their lifelong careers with children.

The following is a list of resources available to seniors in the area.

--Southwest Valley: Onegeneration Senior Center, 18255 VictoryBlvd., Reseda; [phone]. Acting Director: Marsha Koff.

--East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center (Includes Handiworker Program, which provides free home repairs and meals to qualifying seniors), 5000 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood; [phone]. Director: Lori Litel.

--Bernardi Multipurpose Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave., VanNuys; [phone]. Director: Rosalinda Gonzales.

--Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 11300 GlenoaksBlvd., Pacoima; [phone]. Director: Pat Austin.

--Robert M. Wilkinson Senior Multipurpose Center, 8956Vanalden St., Northridge; [phone]. Director: Linda Chan.

--Department of Aging: [phone].

--Meals on Wheels: [phone].

--San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council Senior Nutrition Program, a meal program for seniors over age 60. Recommended donation of $2.50 per meal. [phone].

--Computer Help: Mel and Gladys Roseman of Encino help provide technical support for seniors interested in using the Los Angeles Free-Net, a voluntary, nonprofit Internet service. Call [phone].

--Mark Taper Onegeneration Center, 17400 Victory Blvd.,Van Nuys; [phone]. Offers adult day care, rehabilitation, physical therapy and counseling.

--Elder Abuse Hotline: [phone].

--H.O.P.E. Unit Foundation Inc., providing group support for bereavement, cancer patients and family members: (818) 788-HOPE.

--Golden State Care Center for Alzheimer's disease anddementia residents, 21820 Craggy View, Box 3909, Chatsworth; [phone].

--Jewish Community Center of the North Valley, 16601 RinaldiSt., Granada Hills; [phone].

--Legal services for seniors: [phone].

--Alternative Living For the Aging Inc., 937 N. Fairfax Ave.,West Hollywood; [phone]. Director: Janet Witkin.

--Senior Companion Program: a voluntary peer support programthat provides volunteer opportunities for low-income persons 60years of age or older; [phone].

--Medi-Cal Information, [phone].

--Medicare Information, [phone].

--Elder Care Locator, [phone].

--Social Security, [phone].

--Jewish Family Services, [phone].

--Housing Authority, [phone].

--L.A. Department of Disability, [phone].

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The following is a list of resources available to seniors in the area. (see text)