Issaquah Senior Center celebrates a year under new leadership

Last year at this time, it was the center of drama, controversy and unhappiness.

But this December, the Issaquah Senior Center is celebrating a successful year under the leadership of the city of Issaquah.

At the beginning of 2017, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department took over operations at the center after years of troubles between the former Issaquah Valley Seniors Board of Directors and seniors attending the center.

During an End of Year Thank You celebration on Friday, the senior center paid tribute to everyone who has helped to make the center a place people want to be.

The mood at the center matched the sun that was streaming through the windows as over 70 seniors enjoyed a lunch provided by Catholic Community Services. Local musicians David Jackson and Jack Ballard entertained the group, and a Christmas tree and miniature holiday village decorated by volunteers added a festive feel to the room.

Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler kicked off the proceedings with a welcome and a big thank you to the volunteers and members of the Issaquah Senior Center.

Senior center Manager Courtenay Garcia told the Reporter that she is very thankful the seniors allow her to serve them.

“My goal is to have this be a place people want to come and hang out, a warm and welcoming place where seniors feel it’s their community,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that the center has added plenty of fun and informative activities for seniors over the past year, such as new trips, regular movie matinees, Wednesday activity nights, a monthly “lunch bunch” outing and workshops led by art nonprofit artEAST, Community Emergency Response Team members and Medicare experts.

“I really feel like we’ve got that momentum going now,” Garcia said.

The senior center leadership has plenty in store for 2018 as well. The new year will see a support group for caregivers (such as those caring for a spouse who is ill), a class from a nutritionist on how to cook healthy portions for one, monthly (non-alcoholic) “happy hours” with music, a class on beading, “wisdom cafes” with the King County Library System to get seniors talking together and a workshop led by two authors on how to capture family history in writing before it’s too late.

“This was a thriving senior center at one point … I’m trying to listen to people’s feedback and bring back things they enjoy so this becomes a thriving community again,” Garcia said.

The smiling seniors at Friday’s celebration expressed their happiness with the city’s leadership and the changes that 2017 has brought.

“They’re trying really hard to help everybody,” Jeannette Hudson said. “Any ideas you have, they listen to you.”

Delia Segovia, who last year moved here from California, said that the senior center has provided her with the opportunity to make friends, meet people from other cultures and have intellectual conversations with other seniors.

“This is a wonderful place and I’m so happy that we have such a wonderful place to come to,” Segovia said. “Everyone is so nice and sweet and welcoming.”

Perhaps it was Reva Turtel who summarized the feelings on the new Issaquah Senior Center best when she said, “We’ve come a long way, baby.”

Senior center membership is free for those 55 and older, though classes and programs will include fees. For more information about upcoming senior center activities and services, visit www.issaquahwa.gov/seniors, or call 425-392-2381.