Last month, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo did what, at least recently, may have been thought of as close to impossible: he delivered an on-time New York state budget. And while that may have earned the governor and the state legislature some measure of praise, they were also criticized for proposed cuts to vital services for New Yorkers. Seniors, and the centers and services they use, were targeted for deep spending cuts that would have padlocked center doors and left many seniors without a place to spend their days.

By the time the ink was signed on the final budget, state funding for senior centers was restored, but the battle to keep the centers open was only half over. The fate of over 100 New York City senior centers now lies in the hands of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Aging.

But the looming closings have not stopped senior centers from remaining as alive and vibrant as their patrons. Exhibit A: Catholic Charities Catherine Sheridan Senior Center. While the center is not slated to close, it is also not immune to the difficult economy. Along with alumni from the University of Scranton, the Sheridan Center got creative on Saturday to give its building an extreme makeover on day dedicated to service.