Lehigh Valley Active Life, a multi-purpose senior center, 1633 Elm St., Allentown, is to receive a $37,500 grant for social engagement from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to encourage senior citizens to participate in programs.

The program is to begin in August with a goal of recruiting 50 senior citizens. The program will last for up to two years.

“An Outreach Worker will meet with senior citizens who are isolated and help them get comfortable attending programs here. Then we hope to track health status and health care spending to see if being with others can benefit one’s health and lower health care costs,” Rick Daugherty, Lehigh Valley Active Life executive director, said.

Research has shown that being with others has a very positive impact on health and being alone can literally be deadly.

The grant is part of the 2015-’16 state budget and is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Information: Rick Daugherty, 610-437-3700