Document text
Improvements, city-funded staffing praised at Medford Senior Center Margie Mckernan, from left, Lora Vollmar and Bev Power decorate a Christmas tree at the Medford Senior Center Dec. 1. [Mail Tribune / Jamie Lusch] Monday Dec 18, 2017 at 2:00 AM Dec 18, 2017 at 7:02 AM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Things are looking up for the Medford Senior Center a year after the board of directors entered into talks with the city for help with administrative duties and improvements to the once-languishing facility. Users of the half-century-old facility have watched things improve slowly but surely with help from a city-funded employee at the center. An old, leaking ice machine and water damage have been rectified with a new setup, inadequate lighting has been replaced, ADA safety issues have been remedied with facility entryways, and a new alarm system was installed. Once a place for the elderly to “just get a meal” or play bingo, the center is being transformed into a vital 55-and-older space with a range of activity offerings and useful classes, said Bev Power of Medford Parks and Recreation, who is on loan to the senior center as one of the three funded positions. When the city entered into a contract this year, the senior center had realized it couldn’t sustain itself for various reasons. Board members were trying to run it — trying to at least provide lunch every day and give people a place to go,” Power said, noting that a decades-old deed would have required the facility to return to city hands if it could not be made self-sustaining. Where some might have found frustration — the facility manager had been laid off, and the kitchen had closed for repairs at the time — Power saw opportunity and encouragement. “The kitchen was closed at the time, so these board members were collecting money from seniors, buying taco salads from Taco Bell and bringing them back. On one hand, you might think, oh, that can’t be nutritious. But on the other hand, that’s a lot of work, and what a commitment that shows," she said. With a management contract in place for two years, which provides a full-time position for Power and two half-time positions for the front office, more changes are afoot. The contract, which began in July for approximately $135,000 per year, details what responsibilities will fall to the senior center or to the city. Under state law, the city cannot operate gambling operations, so the senior center will oversee bingo activities and the meal program. City-provided employees will be tasked with administrative duties, provision of staffing during operating hours, administering the Senior Advocacy Program — sharing resources related to everything from housing and transportation to legal counseling and medical programs — in addition to registration, on-site programming and publication of a newsletter. “We came in with this understanding that we would identify community members who need the services we are able to provide. What is a senior? What’s a senior today isn’t the same as it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago. It’s important that we are constantly developing programs and always studying who our customers are,” Power said. She said the center’s three primary needs moving forward are money for purchase and installation of a flag pole, new energy-efficient windows to reduce excessive heating and cooling bills, and senior-appropriate furniture to replace uncomfortable, dorm-style furniture. Board member Lori Williams said the board was grateful for the city’s help and the recent improvements. “As the only board member who has been there through all the changes, it has been like a night-and-day difference. We’re actually pretty optimistic about things going forward and the things the board is focused on,” she said. Williams credited Power’s approach to helping the senior center board, saying her connections within the community have been invaluable. “Bev is very competent and professional, and I think our members like the fact she’s there and that she’s very approachable,” Williams said. “For the day-to-day operations, she doesn’t bother us, but any decisions or expenditure or ideas, she lets us know everything that’s going on. It’s been really great having the full-time help. We just want people to know the senior center is moving forward and we can and will always be better,” she said. Focusing on additional grant funding, community support and boosting membership, Power hopes to dispel rumors that the city had taken over the facility. “The main thing we want to put out there is that the city did not take over the senior center,” she said. “Our hope is that we walk out of here in two years, and that they’ll be self-supporting once again. We are here to help and to guide them toward being self-sustaining. That’s what everyone wants," she said. Power said the senior center’s current wish list includes: New members Cash donations for special activities and needed improvements Energy-efficient windows Donation of window installation A regulation size flagpole and flag Senior-friendly furniture — Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected].