asian american resource center logo

AARC Home | Events | Exhibits | Rentals | Senior Program | Youth Program

AARC Senior Program is designed to address the intergenerational wellness and education needs of Austin residents, age 50 and up, with a focus on Asian American culture and community. AARC Senior Program is part of Austin Parks & Recreation Department Varsity Generation and Congregate Meal Program. 

four seniors set up mahjong tiles on a green mat

How to Register

To join the AARC Senior Program, complete the registration form and submit it in person at the AARC or electronically via email. 

After you have completed registration, you can also register for the following:  

Transportation

PARD Senior Transportation will provide limited transportation to AARC from pre-determined consolidated stops. To join the PARD Senior Transportation program, complete the registration form in wet ink and submit it in person at the AARC or to PARD Senior Transportation.  

You must arrange pickup directly with PARD Senior Transportation BEFORE you ride. To arrange pickup or for any questions about transportation to the AARC, contact PARD Senior Transportation at (512) 974-1464 or by email at SRTransportation@austintexas.gov with your name, the desired pickup date, and the stop. 

Senior Congregate Meals Program

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department welcomes Meals on Wheels (MOW) as our Congregate Meal Program partner. MOW provides healthy meals to eight (8) recreation/neighborhood and senior activity centers throughout Austin. Learn more about the Parks and Recreation Department’s Congregate Meal Program.

Meals on Wheels provides meals at the AARC every Monday-Thursday. To register for meals, participants must complete the intake paperwork with the MOW Site Coordinator in-person at the AARC. Meals are limited to Senior Program participants, age 60 and older.  

Accessibility  

The City of Austin is proud to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. The AARC facility and parking lot are ADA compliant and accessible. If you require additional assistance with the use of the facility, please contact the AARC at (512) 974-1700.

Language Access Support: If you need language support such as interpretation and translation for our program, please contact us in advance for assistance at (512) 974-1700. 

Upcoming Events and Announcements

BALLROOM CLOSURE: The AARC Ballroom is CLOSED for renovations. Instructor-led physical wellness class will not be scheduled during this time. 

senior program participants exercise in the ballroom for a group wellness class

Activities

Senior Program activities include: 

  • Wellness Classes: Activities include tai chi, gentle yoga, Bollywood, meditation, and more. Activities are tailored for people, age 50 and older, and may change seasonally and/or due to instructor availability. 

  • Education Classes: Participants choose from various classes, where they can play ukulele, practice their English skills, make crafts, and learn from instructional partners like Austin Free Net and the Travis County Master Gardeners. 

  • Games: Rooms are available during Senior Program hours for table tennis, mahjong, and other games. 

  • Meals: Healthy meals are provided by Meals on Wheels every Monday-Thursday. Meals are limited to Senior Program participants, age 60 and older. Participants must sign up in-person at the AARC.

  • Tea and Coffee: Fresh tea and coffee are served in the mornings for all Senior Program participants.

Wellness and Education activities are available to registered program participants on a “drop-in” and “first come, first served” basis; no pre-registration is required to participate in activities. 

Physical activity may create the risk of unanticipated injuries. Please seek the advice of your doctor before beginning any new physical activity.   

January calendar for Senior Program

January 2025 Wellness Activity Schedule - View the full calendar (PDF). 

Become a Volunteer Instructor
We are seeking Volunteer Instructors to lead wellness and education classes for our Senior Program. Activities can include Gentle Yoga, Meditation, Dance, Sewing, Singing, or any other types of activities that can be adapted for people aged 50 years and older. Please note: Volunteers should have experience or training in their proposed activity. 
 
Instruction will take place in-person at the AARC at 8401 Cameron Road during Senior Program hours, which is held Monday-Thursday from 10am-1pm. Volunteering as an instructor at the AARC will require direct/interpersonal communication with AARC staff, along with completing a criminal background investigation through the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Instructor, please email Miranda.delaRea@AustinTexas.gov. 
Annual Report: See the Full List of Sessions for Senior Program 2023-2024

Read the new AARC Annual Report FY24!

The AARC Annual Report highlights the center's past fiscal year's events, exhibits, programs, and the communities served. Translated text for the AARC Annual Report is available in العربية (Arabic), ဗမာ (မြန်မာ) (Burmese), 中文 (简体) (Chinese, simplified), हिन्दी (Hindi), 한국어 (Korean), and Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese). The AARC Annual Report is also available in a plain text English version.  

List of Senior Program Sessions in 2023-2024

  • Star Weaving Craft Workshop with One Million Stars Texas

  • Skull Decorating with MACC

  • The Happy Kitchen Cooking Series with Sustainable Food Center

  • Photovoice Project: Imagining an Age Friendly Austin 

  • Family Archiving Series with Austin History Center

  • Asian Culture Sharing (K-Culture 101, Chinese Culture Class, Pinoy Culture 101) with AARC Staff

  • Treeplanting Workshop with Treefolks

  • Kanikapila Ukulele Club with Senior Volunteers

  • Tech Literacy Classes with Austin Free-Net

  • Plant Clinic Series with Travis County Master Gardeners

  • ESL for Beginners with Senior Volunteers

  • Physical Wellness – Gentle Yoga, Meditation and Movement, Tai Chi, BollywoodX Dance

  • Arts & Crafts (Rock Mandalas, Rubber Cut Carving, Watercolor Painting) with AARC Staff

  • Congregate Meal Program

  • Info Sessions – Medicare (Hamilton Senior Advisors), Property Tax (Travis County Appraisal District)

  • Birding 101 with Travis Audubon 

  • Portrait Art Workshop with Jieun Beth Kim

  • Diabetes Education and Empowerment Program with APH

  • Diabetes Prevention Program with APH

  • Health Screening with APH 

Other Resources

Drive A Senior is a local non-profit that connects Austin area volunteer drivers with seniors who need rides. Seniors must be non-driving or limited driving, over age 60, and within the boundaries of one of their service areas. Seniors must be able to walk on their own or with walkers and canes. Visit the Drive a Senior webpage to find the contact information for your services area. 

ADA Accessible Transportation: The City of Austin and Capital Metro have wheelchair accessible and ADA transportation options available. Contact the Austin Parks & Recreation Senior Transportation, (512) 974-3914, and Capital Metro, Metro Access Services, (512) 389-7501, for more information.  

 

Page last updated: January 7, 2025