Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - In a youth-oriented, sports-minded community, the elderly and adult handicapped are sometimes displaced.
Syracuse is considered by some to be such a community. It is for that reason that three local agencies have united to form the Community Friendship Senior Center.
"There's nothing (in Syracuse) for older people," Priscilla Rhode, a member on the board of directors for the center, said.
The three agencies planning to join include the Samaritans-On-Standby Inc., the REAL Services Nutrition Site and the Turkey Creek Senior Citizens Club.
Each organization by itself provides services to the elderly.
SOS offers a daily telephone safety check and transportation for senior citizens when family is unavailable. Once a month, the organization takes seniors on a monthly "for fun" trip in a 14-passenger van.
REAL is a division of the Area II Agency on Aging, South Bend. REAL offers hot lunches for a nominal fee.
Senior Citizens Club meets for a carry-in lunch and recreation.
By combining, the three agencies hope to provide senior citizens with more help and opportunities for recreation.
The mission of the center is to provide a place where older adults can come together. The organizations hope to suit the needs and interests of the elderly, enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement within the center and the community.
The center will be for adults age 55 and older and adults with handicaps. However, the organization does not want to leave out younger generations altogether.
"We'd like to have an inter-generational feeling about the place," Rhode said.
Rev. Carl Gilland, All Saints Episcopal Church and a director on the board, said the center hopes youth volunteer once the center is up and running.
The target date for completion of the center is sometime in 1999, Gilland said.
But there is much work for the directors, volunteers and members to do.
The three agencies are in need of a building, land and money to get themselves up and running. The board of directors of the center will meet Thursday to begin discussion on a capital finance campaign.
Gilland said the center plans to be funded several ways.
An annual fund drive will be held as will a monthly raffle. The center wants to sponsor an annual kite fly and charge class tuition to cover some instruction. They plan to collect fees to cover cost of materials and rent out the building for special occasions. Space will be rented out to hospitals for community health education classes.
The center also will raise money by conducting a mass-mailing.
"We know that once we are built, we'll get lots and lots of donations," Rhode said.
