When Senior Services Associates celebrated its Golden Jubilee last year, not much time was spent throwing a party.
Too much was going on at this nonprofit agency tasked with serving as the hub of the community’s aging population in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties. And as the agency continues to grow older along with the rest of the population, its role has only become bigger and more critical.
Which is why a few years ago Senior Services moved out of its longtime Aurora center in an old bank on Lake Street into the freshly renovated first floor of a building at 2111 Plum St. in Aurora.
The move got more complicated than planned because it occurred as COVID-19 was rocking the country. But it doubled the agency’s space, with 22,000 square feet. And that turned out to be a critical move because since then the organization has continued to expand – its staff, its programs, its partnerships – and certainly the number of local residents it has helped.
In 2023, during its Jubilee year, some 26,000 seniors were served in some capacity in Kane County alone, noted Kathryn Harrison, director of community services for the agency, and that left little time to celebrate its new digs or that half-century milestone.
This year, however, a much-energized staff is taking a breath. And on Aug. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m., Senior Services will finally host that pandemic-delayed open house at its new Senior Center on Plum Street.
Since the pandemic, the Aurora agency has created a bigger footprint in terms of space and programs. Yet there are still far too many of the elderly and disabled – or those caring for them – who do not know about Senior Services or what it has to offer, insists activity coordinator Paul Heinkel.
When I arrived at the Plum Street center earlier this week I was, indeed, surprised at how large the new center is. I was equally impressed by a long table outside the spacious community room that was laden with brochures and flyers touting the agency’s numerous programs and services.
Many take place in that activity room – still decked out in red, white and blue from the recent holiday – where seniors gather twice a week to share meals, throw special occasion parties, enjoy live entertainment and listen to speakers that range from the FBI warning about scams to the VNA talking about health issues.
There’s also plenty of opportunities for seniors to get up and moving, with aerobics or dancing. Pickleball is even played in this space during the colder months, which should give you an idea of just how expansive the area is.
The July activity calendar, I noticed, was blanketed with more options, ranging from restaurant excursions to card games to matinees and picnics. This week’s agenda alone contained line dancing, Wii bowling, a live magic show and a pizza and bingo night.
“And we are always open to other businesses or groups coming in to give a presentation or supply food,” said Heinkel, noting that when he started with the agency 14 years ago, about 10 to 15 people would show up for activities.
Now, he says, between 80 and 100 seniors turn out, which “quickly fills” the room.
Senior Services – headquartered in Elgin, with offices also in Crystal Lake, McHenry and Yorkville – is an agency of the Illinois Department on Aging. But the proverbial village that keeps it going consists of dozens of volunteers, as well as community sponsors. Here in Aurora that includes Aurora Township, the city of Aurora, Kane County Sheriff’s Department, VNA Health Care, churches, social clubs, local restaurants and other businesses such as retirement and health care facilities.
One of the biggest concerns facing seniors is transportation – of particular importance is getting to medical appointments. But food and housing rank high, as well. In addition to the wide open community room, the new Plum Street center features plenty of office space for its 35 staffers as they work on these and other issues seniors face, including assessing and coordinating care, providing emergency services and investigating allegations of physical and emotional abuse.
“Everyone is feeling the pressure to meet the needs of the graying population,” said Harrison.
At the same time, she and her colleagues obviously enjoy working with this growing and diverse population.
“The way everyone gets along is an inspiration,” noted activities coordinator Amanda Creighton. Whether it’s a party celebrating Cinco de Mayo or Black History Month, “everybody takes part; they all hang out weekly and have so much fun.
“It’s a beautiful thing. It really is.”
And now the staff at 2111 Plum St. in Aurora would like the public, especially seniors or the families who care about them, to stop by the upcoming open house and see for themselves just why there is reason to celebrate.
“Here we are … and this is all we do,” said Heinkel, looking around the new center with obvious pride. “We would love to show all this off to the community.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
