With more than 1,000 members, nearly half from the City of Chelsea, the Chelsea Senior Center gave its annual report to the Chelsea City Council on March 18.
Senior Center Board President Gary Munce and Executive Director Trinh Pifer updated City Council on several grants, which were awarded to the center that will be used to enhance transportation options for seniors in rural areas.
In addition, the senior center received a grant that will enable an expansion of the Chelsea Community Senior Services (C2S2) program that helps older adults access resources, remain in their homes and stay connected to the community.
Among the other highlights, C2S2 services were provided to 1,250 people, 1,214 senior rides were subsidized, and almost 29,400 senior meals were served in 2018.
Pifer told the City Council that among the priorities for the next three years are:
- expanded transportation in Western Washtenaw County to reduce senior isolation
- expanded use of technology through programs, services and resources for seniors
- planning for a high level of programming within and beyond the physical walls of the senior center for an expanding senior population.
The senior center operates on an about $382,000 budget, and the city budgets about $30,000 each year to assist the senior center in its mission.
City Councilmen Frank Hammer said he’d like to see the city increase its contribution to the senior center efforts to $40,000.
