Kenai Peninsula senior center directors at the Oct. 11 meeting, left to right: Cindy Burns (Anchor Point), Dana Paperman (Seward Senior Center), Jill Smith (Nikiski Senior Center), Mike McKinley (Soldotna Senior Center), Ken Green (President of Cooper Landing Seniors), Keren Kelley (Homer Senior Center), Julie Otto (Ninilchik Senior Center), Kathy Romain (Kenai Senior Services)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Senior Center directors meet bi-annually to discuss common issues in senior services, sharing challenges and successes. Together, we create efficient and unduplicated senior services, assisting seniors in maintaining independent and quality lives.
October's meeting brought three new leaders to the table, after long time directors Jan Fena (Soldotna), Rachael Craig (Kenai) and Ron Sloan (Cooper Landing) retired, taking with them an accumulation of 70 years in senior services. But this group did not miss a beat, and welcomed new and seasoned directors back to the table for some lively and empowering discussion.
We shared creative fundraising efforts that help us pay the bills, shared professional and personal stories that touched our hearts and inspired us to serve with compassionate care
We welcome all seniors in need of a hot, nutritious meal; supportive transportation; assistance with Social Security and Medicare inquiries, questions and form completion; a social environment that supports a healthy lifestyle; health promotional programs that stimulate the heart, mind and legs; and a place where peers can gather, judgement free.
Since the Older Americans Act of 1965, senior centers have been developing supportive senior programs, and today we are serving more seniors than ever before, offering current services that educate, empower and support the dignity of our greatest generation. Together, we serve to honor and to protect the most vulnerable population on the Kenai Peninsula, in partnership with the borough, cities, State of Alaska and a wealth of friends of the senior centers. Together, we are helping seniors age in place.
Dana Paperman is the Seward Senior Citizens, Inc. Executive Director.
