Senior Centers: Community Cornerstones

Over time, people collect a lot of ideas. Some of these ideas have to do with aging, what being an “older adult” looks like, and what a Senior Center can be to them. Many people are surprised when they look at a calendar of events at their local Senior Center and discover more than just cards and bingo.

There are exciting opportunities to try new things. At the Monmouth Senior Community Center (located at 180 Warren St. S in downtown Monmouth), we are able to provide a diverse offering of programs and events to promote life-long learning, health and wellness, and ways to thrive in the community as a whole.

Through some wonderful and strong partnerships with outside organizations, we have been able to keep the majority of our programs and classes free to the public. We are supported as part of the City of Monmouth and also have a non-profit fundraising arm called the Friends of the Monmouth Senior Center. Our Friends group offers regular fundraising events such as a monthly pancake breakfast, Soup & Pie, Victorian Tea, and Holiday Bazaar.

Our regular programming includes a variety of exercise classes, art, scrapbooking, movie matinees, bingo, music, cards, writing, storytelling, health and wellness education, and so much more. In addition to all of the events in our physical building we are a resource hub for the community. Call with any questions and we will help direct you to the right agency to help with your needs. Support groups, financial assistance, transportation, and more can just be a phone call away. We are here to help.

When a person first walks in the front door, they are often starting a new chapter of their life. This can be due to a loss, a move, retirement, or a number of other transitions. When a newcomer enters this space, we try and make them feel welcomed and also provide information. We want to be able to offer programs to older community members that cater to the whole person.

It’s important to consistently provide resources, classes, and information that impact any individual on a physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social level. By offering a wide variety of choices and even classes that touch on all of these elements at once, we are helping older community members to challenge their ideas about what an “older adult” looks like and how they can utilize a Senior Center.

We invite you to walk in the door, grab a cup of coffee, connect with other community members, engage in life-long learning, and have some fun! To join in the fun, there is no fee and only a simple form to fill out to receive a sign-in key tag. This helps us collect information about how the building is being used day to day. It is possible to not only to connect through programs, but also by volunteering.

Whether it’s joining a board, answering phones, or serving food, there are dozens of ways to stay busy while benefiting the community as a thriving, active member. Take the opportunity to update your notions of what a Senior Center can do for you!