Nearly one-in-four county residents are at or over the age of 65.

That leaves a significant space for the county’s senior centers to do important work.

September – National Senior Center Month – is a time to highlight that work.

“I think the stigma of how people view a senior center is still an on-going issue,” Kimberly Wilson, director of center services for Warren and Forest counties, said. “Changing that perception is what our centers do best.”

There are five senior centers in the two counties – the Allegheny Community Center in Warren and centers in Endeavor, Marienville, Sheffield and Tidioute.

Seniors

“Centers are aware of the changes in their communities and provide programs and services that are needed by our folks that attend and interest those that don’t,” Wilson said. “Centers must change and evolve like any other non-profit business to provide services and programs that are interesting, fun, and have purposeful content.”

Programs at the centers include activities, educational classes, wellness programs, volunteer opportunities and daily lunches, among others.

“Centers must also be seen as an added value to the entire community to remain essential,” Wilson said.

A total of 179 seniors joined centers in Warren and Forest counties in 2022. So far, that number sits at 149.

“We have added positive programs that are intergenerational, M=mixing our seniors with kids and families,” Wilson said. “This has generated many new programs that you may want to take advantage of.”

Information, including hours of operation, programming and contact information, for each of the centers can be found at experienceinc.org.