Apr 9

Written by: ngreditor
4/9/2008 1:31 PM 

What will be the fate of the Newman Grove Senior Center?

By Kathy Worre

It was about 19 years ago when a group of volunteers came together to form the Newman Grove Senior Center. They raised the money, bought the building, made the renovations … and through their dedication they developed a valuable program.

Mayor David Johnson, Milan Sawyer, Dennis Fowlkes and Tom Bagley attended the Senior Center meeting

Last Friday there was a community meeting to determine the fate of this organization and program.

The primary use of their building is to provide low-cost nutritious meals five days a week. The also have other services and fundraisers during the month. All of this now is in imminent danger of dissolution.

The primary funding agent, the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (NENAAA), has determined a minimum of 25 participants at each meal is required. We have not met that standard. Last month’s average was 14.5, and this month’s was 15.

They also require certain outreach services and events to encourage participation.

“There are 169 additional eligible people in Newman Grove (those aged 60-80 and not at the home or Assisted Living),” Roger Hollis told us. “We just can’t seem to get those people involved.”

Hollis is the acting manager until a permanent one can be hired. “The NENAAA set the standards,” and the Senior Center has to meet them or close their doors.

Recently they tried to reduce their costs further by having the meals prepared at the Albion Center and brought here each day. But without the numbers, this is not working either.

“When the Center first opened they had an average of 45 for their meals,” Hollis reported and it has not been that high for a long time.

As reported elsewhere by Keith Jacobson, the meeting last week discussed a number if issues. In particular, the board wants to donate the building to another entity.

The concept would be to negotiate with the receiving body so that the Center could still be allowed to use the building for meals and for one fundraiser a month.

The owners would pay for management costs, utilities, along with any maintenance needed.

The City of Newman Grove has the option to accept the building. However, the ongoing costs and management would have to be considered. They will discuss this at the City Council meeting this Thursday, April 10th, at 7pm. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Editorial comment: With our community continuing to age it seems counterproductive to lose the one organization that is designed to meet those needs. While I do understand the dayto- day costs for utilities and insurance for a public building can be expensive – I believe it still would be in our best interest to do what we can to keep these services available. Just ask yourself, “What can I do?”