About

Our Story.
   Our Mission.

Since Positive Maturity was founded in 1972, the mission has been simpleenhance the lives of older adults through social services and civic engagement. Over the last 50 years, our aging population has changed drastically. Adults 50 and older are living longer, healthier lives, working into their 70s and 80s, taking care of their parents, adult children, and sometimes even grandchildren. Some older adults are beginning second careers. Most importantly, this group is giving back to their communities in tangible, life-changing ways. This is not a group to sit quietly on the sidelinesthey are vocal about their needs, their desire to remain independent and to live in their own homes as long as possible. Positive Maturity is here to meet those needs.

As one of the first senior organizations established in Jefferson County, Ala., Positive Maturity was originally created to assess and meet the needs of the aging population. Originally founded by Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala., in 1972 the organization became a United Way partner and a sponsor for volunteer Senior Corps programs through AmeriCorps (RSVP, Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent).

Once the state of Alabama created local area Agencies on Aging to take the lead in serving the basic needs of the aging population, Positive Maturity turned its efforts toward keeping the aging population actively engaged in their communities and living independently. Besides offering programs such as RSVP, Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent, Positive Maturity added a senior center located in the East Lake community in the 1980s. Then a Geriatric Social Service Department was added to ensure that all volunteer and senior center participants have the resources they need to remain active and engaged.

Today, Positive Maturity serves Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties. There are more than 1,200 active volunteers who collectively donate 150,000+ hours each year. These citizens help their communities combat illiteracy, crime, and the opioid crisis, all while keeping older adults active, engaged and independent for as long as possible.