Letter to the editor
-----Original Message-----
From: Arlene Marshall [mailto:arlenemarshall@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 5:37 PM
Subject: New Northborough Senior Center a Community Resource for All
New Senior Center - Essential Community Resource
To the editor:
I am a part-time outreach coordinator at the current Northborough Senior
Center and a long time resident of Northborough. It is as a resident that I
address you today, and share with you my awareness of this project's
urgency.
First, I would like to thank all the people who spontaneously rose to their
feet at Town Meeting to set the record straight when an uninformed citizen
falsely accused the Senior Center of exclusivity. Young and middle-aged
speakers gave examples of how they have utilized the Center, either to
participate in programs themselves or to access services for aging
relatives and friends.
In addition, the building itself has always been utilized off-hours by
community groups of all ages. For instance, there are currently two girl
scout troops meeting at the Center every week, the Northborough Garden Club
meets there once a month, and the Northborough Historical Commission has
held it's last two meetings there due to lack of space at Town Hall.
I am also aware that, when space permits, younger residents are welcome to
participate in Senior center activities and programs. You will find younger
people playing Cribbage, filling up the bus for theater trips, and attending
classes.
The Senior Center also provides volunteer opportunities for community-minded
people of all ages. The recent, much appreciated marketing efforts of two
DECCA students from Algonquin Regional High School in support of the new
Senior Center project is one example, and others find it rewarding to become
involved with the Meals on Wheels or Friendly Visitor programs. Some
initiate new programs to enrich the lives of our seniors, as did four lovely
young ladies, three of them teen-agers, who on two occassions gave free
manicures to delighted recepients. Collaboration between the Northborough
schools and the Senior Center also provide meaningful opportunities for
children and seniors to interact, such as "Board Buddies" and the
"Attributes" program at Proctor School, and the visits of Peaslee
kindergarteners to share their songs and original writings with us. In
turn, active Seniors engage with renewed energy in the life of the community
thanks to the stimulation and support of the Center.
The Northborough Senior Center is not "exclusive," nor does it want to be.
In addition to serving seniors from the most vulnerable among us to the
healthy, active folks just reaching retirement, the Senior Center is a
frequently used resource for busy families looking for information to help
their aging friends and relatives. We provide volunteer opportunities for
younger people and welcome the contributions they make, and Senior
volunteers help out with programs that strengthen the fabric of the town and
area. Programs bringing generations together around mutual interests and
endeavors provide benefits to all. Activities not filled by seniors are
opened up to the community, and rooms, when not in use by the Center, are
made available to community groups.
The problem is that the present facility restricts all aspects of the Senior
Center's mission. We cannot offer the easily accessed, adequately sized,
designed and equipped setting that is needed to support healthy, engaged
aging. As a resident who has become aware of the need for a new Senior
Center, and of it's benefits for the whole community, I urge you to support
this project on May 14th. Please log on to www.town.northborough.ma.us and
click on "New Senior Center Project" under "What's New?" for more
information.
Arlene Marshall
Northborough
|
