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Did You Know?
The Yellow Springs Senior Center adapts to changing needs!
In Her Own Words—Executive Director Karen Wolford
I have been an executive director for nonprofits for more than 20 years. The pandemic has not been like anything else I have experienced and in a good way. It is good because of the support from volunteers, businesses, the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, and Village officials to the Yellow Springs Senior Center (YSSC) has been outstanding.
It has been a pleasure to work with such a committed group of individuals who have come together to make certain all villagers are valued and have their needs met during this very uncertain and challenging time.
The building that houses the Senior Center does not feel like the same place since the beginning of March when the Governor ordered senior centers to shut the doors to their facilities. However, included in the order was an allowance for senior centers to continue to provide transportation and support services.
Also, the Senior Center began a partnership with Tom’s Market and started a grocery delivery service. At one point, deliveries were being made to more than 60 households a week. And to assist with food insecurity among older adults, we began to deliver food to those who were food insecure and encourage them to also sign up for Meals on Wheels, the national program that delivers nutritional meals to seniors.
By the beginning of April, thoughts began centering on how we could engage people from a distance. Volunteers began making weekly check-in telephone calls to some of the most vulnerable and inquire about additional needs. We also started weekly email check-ins and on-line activities as the next best opportunities for seniors to connect, even if not face-to-face. May continued to see us adapting and making the most of the situation.
Every day brings new thoughts about this “next” normal for the Senior Center. Whether it is modifying the interior of the cars in our transportation program to accommodate new sanitary guidelines, or equipping homemaking staff with proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) so that they may continue to serve clients—or even figuring out the suitability of an activity for YouTube, Facebook, or Zoom, and, of course, continuing to take care of people who need support with Medicare and housing, the Senior Center is adapting to the ever-changing landscape.
It is still not known when we will open the building, but rest assured we are not closed for business. The business of enhancing the dignity and quality of life for older adults in Yellow Springs and Miami Township occurs daily. A pandemic cannot keep us down.
To donate to YSSC: https://yscf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1615
For more information about YSSC: http://www.ysseniors.org
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Grants: January through July 1, 2020
