A Dream Becomes A Reality For Manchester Seniors

Written by Pat Vailliencourt, City of Manchester Mayor, MASCC Director

E ight een months ago, Manchester seniors were faced with a decision on whether to dissolve our Board and encourage local seniors to participate in Chelsea, Grass Lake, or other area centers. We had donated our bus to Chelsea WAVE, could no longer afford to provide lun ches, our checking account was overdrawn, and we were homeless. Having a Manchester Senior Center was something we had always wished for, but it was just a dream. A dream that seemed impossible.

When the Manchester City Council voted to provide the space (currently a cold storage DPW facility) if the seniors could raise the renovation funds, our small but mighty community got to work. In December 2023, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved a grant of $136,250 toward the $235,000 project; we knew then we could do it. We began having small fundraisers but soon realized we had to have more support. In June 2024, after a lot of worry and concern, we committed to raise $50,000 to qualify for an all or nothing matching Patronicity Grant. Six weeks later, thanks to the support of non-profits like 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, Manchester Chicken Broil, Worth Repeating and about 100 individuals, we met our goal and raised the renovation funding.

We were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity. We could now have a 1,200 square foot facility with our own kitchen. The support has continued with funding for furnishings, equipment and supplies.

On June 4th, about 90 people attended our official ribbon-cutting to get a sneak preview of what their support had helped us accomplish. Final items are being completed this fall.

This is a truly exciting time for the Manchester community seniors. For the first time in our history, we will have our own facility. Almost daily, we are receiving new members. We have begun filling up our calendar with social activities, meals, nutrition and healthy lifestyle programs, transportation assistance, and services that other communities have had for many years.

We are very excited and anxious to open our doors to new beginnings. Words cannot express how grateful we are to all those who made this happen.

For more information, visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/groups/manchesterseniors/