We are celebrating 50 years in 2025!

The Yellowstone County Council on Aging (YCCOA), now doing business as the Adult Resource Alliance, was formed in October of 1975 by a resolution of the Yellowstone County Commissioners. They appointed 7 community members to serve as the coordinating body for programs for the elderly in Yellowstone County. At the time it was formed there was no budget and no formal organization.

Let’s go back to the beginning. There were three programs available before the YCCOA was formed. In 1950, the City of Billings organized the first Billings Golden Age Club under the guidance of the Billings Department of Public Recreation. By 1957 this club had 275 active members and they were located at 13 N. 29th Street. It became known as the Northside Senior Citizens Center.

In 1971, a committee of the First Congregational Church started a program planned as a dinner club for senior citizens who lived alone, and this resulted in the formation of Meals on Wheels Inc., initially serving 25 seniors. This program morphed into the Senior's Dinner Program Inc., and operated as a private non-profit that provided Meals on Wheels and had one meal site in Billings. The third program that was in place was the Retired Senior Volunteer Program which was under the direction of CAP, now the HRDC.

In the mid 60's the federal government passed the Older Americans Act which is still in place today. This act provides funds that support transportation, in home services, Meals on Wheels, senior centers, senior meal programs and other services.

With the formation of the YCCOA by the county commissioners, by 1978 the nutrition program came under that umbrella and soon there were 6 nutrition sites across the county and Meals on Wheels also expanded. RSVP had 450 volunteers placed into 53 work stations. The Minor Home Repair program was in full swing. A senior and disabled transportation program was being provided by Special Transportation Inc. There was a contract in place with the City-County Health Department and the Senior Health Program to help people stay in their homes. Recreational activities were available at the meal sites/senior centers in Laurel, Southside Center in Billings, Worden, Huntley and Custer.

During this year long celebration of the 50th year of serving the people of Yellowstone County, many more tidbits of information regarding the Yellowstone County Council on Aging will be shared with you.

If you have memories, photos, or stories that you would like to share, please let Erika Purington, Executive Director, know! You can email to erikap@allianceyc.org or drop something in the mail to the Adult Resource Alliance, 1505 Ave. D, Billings, 59102.