Senior Center enhances lifestyles for elderly
McMinnville Warren County Senior Center was established in 1975 as part of the Older Americans Act following federal, state and local guidelines required for Level III programs. The Senior Center serves as a community focal point on aging where older adults come together for services and activities which enhance their dignity, support independence and encourage involvement in the city and county.
“To meet our operating budget,” said Cheryl Watson Mingle, executive director, “the Senior Center must raise $33,000 in addition to the financial support we receive such as federal and state funds, $22,000; Warren County, $9,500; City of McMinnville, $4,000; and United Way, $6,500. During the year, the center is required to conduct two major fund-raisers and each of our programs must also have two major fund-raisers.”
The Senior Center moved from the Franklin Blue Building in August 1997 following the purchase of a more modern and spacious facility with easy access located on Morrison Street. In November 2000, this property note of over $160,000 was paid in full, with the support of the city and county.
The multitude of services and activities that are offered include: Information and assistance linking senior citizens with other services available in the community, outreach, friendly visitation, telephone reassurance, educational programs, recreation and leisure activities, homemaker aide services, health promotion, physical fitness and an exercise room. Also provided are income tax assistance, adult day care, food bank, volunteer opportunities, errand services for homebound senior citizens and Relatives as Parents Program.
The Senior Center gives senior adults a chance to share their skills and interests with others in an environment of activities that help stimulate creativity, enhance social and emotional needs, improve self-esteem and promotes a sense of achievement. Daily activities include quilting and tatting, exercise, one-on-one computer classes and games of pool, cards, Dominoes, Bingo, Phase 10, Kings Corner and regular Rook tournaments. There’s also health fairs, day outings and special day celebrations.
The Senior Center was selected among the “Best of the Best” in the Southern Standard’s 1998 readers poll.
Its most recent addition, Homemaker Aide Program, provides in-home services to individuals who otherwise might be institutionalized, by improving their quality of life while affording them the opportunity to live independently. This routine, light housekeeping service assists eligible consumers who are unable to perform household and management tasks in their home.
The vision of Warren County RAPP is to be recognized in the community as the leading resource providing support and advocacy for grandparents and other relatives raising children not their own. RAPP’s purpose is to provide empowerment to caregivers facing a variety of problems, such as legal, social, financial and emotional support, in their efforts to care for a grandchild, niece or nephew, and so forth. Veronica L. Solomon serves as RAPP director.
Sunny Day Adult Day Care Program is designed for persons who need daytime supervision or seek a program offering an option of living more fully without isolation and loneliness. Within a home-like setting at the Senior Center, its programming strives to help participants regain and maintain their individual dignity and quality of life. Georgia Mabe is the adult day care program director.
Goal of the Warren County CARES Program is to help persons age 60 or older with a low income, low income minority, rural, handicapped, frail and isolated elders live in their homes with independence and dignity. There is no set charge for this service but donations are accepted. CARES provides grocery shopping, commodities and medicine pick-up and delivery. It offers outreach for older individuals with illnesses, frailty, social isolation and for those who have no effective support system in place. It provides links between these individuals and the opportunities and services that are available. CARES program director in Lynn Lyle.
For more information, Mingle suggests visiting its web site at wacosrctr@blomond.net or call 473-6559 in regard to any of these programs.