To provide individuals 60 years and older with opportunities for personal growth and development through socialization and mental and physical stimulation in a safe, friendly, diverse, and inclusive environment. To profive information services for seniors and to promote the programs of the Baltimore County Department of Aging that aid and enhance this mission.
The senior center movement in the U.S. began in 1943 with the William Hodson Center in New York, which provided older adults with crucial services and a place to socialize. Inspired by this successful model, Bykota Senior Center was established in 1962, originally operating from the old Towson Fire Hall. The center adopted its name from the inspirational phrase: “Be Ye Kind, One to Another.”
As the local network grew, the Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA) was established in 1979 to coordinate services and funding across all centers. Bykota moved into its current, permanent home—the historic former Towson High School—in 1983.
Today, Bykota is proud to be the oldest and largest of the BCDA’s twenty centers, serving over 2,200 members and continuing its six-decade legacy of community and kindness.
Kathy Haduch, Center Director
Ashaki Innis, Assistant Director
Emily Feldstein, Activities Specialist
Dasia Sullivan-Davis, Center Connection Specialist.
Yolanda Moody, Community Outreach Specialist
All Bykota members are automatically members of the Bykota Council—a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to enriching the lives of older adults. The Council supports and strengthens programs, services, and opportunities that promote healthy aging and community involvement.
Governed by bylaws and an elected Executive Board, the Council leads efforts in fundraising, program development, and advocacy. Board members are fellow Bykota members who generously volunteer their time and talents to help the center flourish and meet the needs of its members.
Donations to the Bykota Council are tax-deductible and directly support our mission.
Greg Bauer, President
Denise Allen, Vice President
Nina Hochrein, Corresponding Secretary
Jo Bauer, Recording Secretary
Virginia Thompson, Treasurer
Maureen Suelau, 1st Asst. Treasurer
Nancy Elson, 2nd Asst. Treasurer
Lorita Martin, Advocate
Board Members: Alan Barnes, Priscilla Brown, Susan Tifft, Pamela Trainor, and Vivian Vaughn
You must have a green Bykota parking permit on your mirror/dashboard to park in our lot, NOT on the street in front of Bykota (Unless you have a handicap placard or plate) 9:00 – 2:00 weekdays; no permit required after 2:00 in our parking lot. Please do not park on the HR side of the lot – only park in spots labeled for Senior Center use. If there are no spaces, there are some metered spots further south on Central Avenue.
The parking police do check; the ticket is $56
Green permits do not expire. If you lose your permit, please come to the front desk
for a replacement.
The Bykota Buzz is a monthly newsletter. Hardcopies of the current newsletter are available in the front lobby of the center. Digital versions of the newletter, including back editions, are also available. Clicking on this link will take you outside of the Bykota.org website.
The Center Connections program provides services to individuals who need support, assistance, and encouragement to participate and socialize in senior center activities. Center Connection participants must be 50-59 with a documented diagnosis of early onset dementia or 60 and older and able to independently manage moving safely and independently in the center; medication during program hours, transferring in/out of chairs, personal care needs and eating.
Please see staff for more information.
The safety of our members is our top priority. Bykota Senior Center follows the official closure and delay decisions set by the Baltimore County Government during inclement weather.
Always Verify Status Before Traveling: If poor weather conditions are expected or occurring, members should always verify the status of the center before heading out.
Key Sources for Updates
Senior Center closures and delays are announced as part of the broader Baltimore County Government closing information (we are not listed with schools).
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Source | Tune into WBAL-1090 AM radio for real-time announcements. Updates typically air around 20 minutes after and 10 minutes before the hour. |
| Online | Check the official Baltimore County Government weather page or the WBAL-TV Closings Page. |
| Phone | Call the Recreation and Parks program status line for recorded updates. |
Policy on Delays and Closures
- Two-Hour Delay: If the County announces a two-hour delay, Bykota Senior Center will open at 10:30 AM.
- Full Closure: If the County announces a full closure, the center will be closed for the day, and all programs and activities are canceled.
- Cold-Weather Haven: Please note that center facilities may also be utilized by the County as potential safe havens during extreme cold weather events.
For questions regarding a specific program or class schedule during a delay, please contact the center after the delayed opening time.