(Chelsea Update would like to thank Trinh Pifer for the photo and information in this story.)
The Chelsea Senior Center was recently awarded a $1700 grant from the Washtenaw County Consortium on Aging (WCCOA), a non-profit collaborative group representing public agencies, private businesses and individuals interested in addressing the needs of the county’s aging citizens.
Theresa Likert, president of WCCOA and grants chairperson, said in a press release, “The mission of WCCOA is to provide for collaboration, advocacy and communication between agencies and persons concerned with the provision of services to all aging adults. This is our third year of awarding $10,000 in grants to projects that support active aging.”
This mini grant awarded to the Chelsea Senior Center, supports additional free passes for the Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) bus system. The free WAVE bus passes will be available for any senior within the Chelsea School district needing help with transportation. In the past year, the Chelsea Senior Center distributed 102 free W.A.V.E. bus passes.
“The free passes allow local seniors to enjoy companionship and healthy meals at the senior center and also keep their medical appointments,” said Mackenzie Pfeiffer, Chelsea Community Senior Services (C2S2) Coordinator in a press release.
“On average, a senior who may have one doctor’s appointment per week, plus a trip to the store and a lunch date could spend between $75 and $100 per month on transportation,” she said, adding, “This grant from the WCCOA, for the second year, really helps meet this need.”
Additionally, this mini-grant provides funds for 100 emergency preparedness kits that will be delivered to homebound seniors. The kits will include first aid supplies, a flashlight, spare batteries, and other basic emergency supplies. The kits are meant to help homebound seniors stay safe during emergency situations, such as power outages, until help can arrive.
The Chelsea Senior Center continues to support local seniors beyond their physical walls and membership. Resources like the free W.A.V.E. bus passes and the emergency kits help keep local seniors connected and safe.
For more information about Chelsea Community Senior Services (C2S2), please call the Chelsea Senior Center at (734) 475-9242 or email [email protected].
