January 26, 2005
February marks 10-year anniversary of SHASS
February will be an exciting month for SHASS. Not only is it the kickoff month for its senior fitness program (Lighthouse Steppers and Lighter Club) but it is an anniversary month marking 10 years of operation.
The roots of SHASS sprouted under the auspice of the South Haven Housing Commission.
In 1982 the Housing Commission started the Warren Senior Center, which occupied the lower level of the River Terrace Senior Apartments. The center was named after Robert N. Warren, a South Haven City Council and Housing Commission member, who worked extensively for senior housing in South Haven.
The Warren Senior Center became a hub for senior activities governed by a board of directors comprising tenants, a housing commissioner, and representatives of local senior-oriented organizations. Seniors could enjoy a noon meal for a 50 cent donation. Activities included Bingo for Bananas, sing-alongs, needlecraft lessons, exercise classes and just plain conversation. Services included a blood pressure clinic administered by the Red Cross.
SHASS emerged as its own entity in 1995 when the Warren Senior Center program was turned over to the newly created South Haven Area Senior Services, a not-for-profit 501 C-3 organization. SHASS served the City of South Haven and the townships of Geneva, South Haven and Casco. There were 3,000 seniors in the SHASS service area, according to Barb Houlberg, director. Houlberg noted that breaking away from the South Haven Commission created "growing pains" for the newly created Senior Services program. She said the organization was holding its own and had created several new programs such as: Care Watch - a network of volunteers who checked on the well being of seniors, Medicare/Medicaid forms assistance - help with filling out Medicare/Medicaid forms, and blood sugar testing.
SHASS offices were (and still are) located at the River Terrace Senior Apartments, 220 Broadway. The Warren Senior Center is located on the lower level of the building on the Williams Street side.
River Terrace and another senior apartment building, Harbor View, 325 Indiana, continue to be managed by the Housing Commission. Its offices are also at 220 Broadway. Because SHASS and Housing are located in the same building people still mistakenly think SHASS is part of the Housing Commission.
SHASS extended its roots in 2000 when the organization purchased a minivan for senior transportation, which has proven to be one of the greatest needs for seniors.
In 2002, voters in the City of South Haven, Casco, Geneva and South Haven townships voted to renew the 1/4 mill senior millage, and voters in the City of Bangor, Columbia, Bangor and Arlington townships approved a quarter mill senior millage.
Today staffing and structure has grown to support the "New" areas to include many activities, health care services such as blood pressure checks. SHASS now has an office at Simpson United Methodist Church in Bangor to better serve seniors in the eastern townships.
New director Jennifer Carver says SHASS will continue to expand and improve its programs. "We will measure and assess the needs of our elder population to better target the services provided to them. We will measure the quality of our services by engaging in conversations with elders and community people, she said.
To celebrate SHASS' tenth year anniversary, Jennifer Carver is organizing the first annual "Give from the Heart" Campaign - Diamond Anniversary. There will be more on this in another entry, but the purpose is to raise $10,000 for senior programs and services (according to Jennifer we're already half way there). The campaign titled "Help us put the heart into service," begins on Valentines Day and will extend to April 30, 2005.
SHASS is excited about its senior fitness program for those 50 and over. The two fold program includes a walking club, "Lighthouse Steppers" and a nutrition group, "The Lighter Club." There will also be two treadmills at the Warren Senior Center for those who want to work out indoors. People may join one of the programs or both for a very nominal yearly fee. Kickoff date is Feb. 21. For more information, call SHASS at 269-637-3607.
SHASS is also excited about its other events: the Florida Party,noon, Friday, Feb. 4, and the Brown Bag Lunch Book Discussion Group (open to anyone)to begin at noon on Friday, Feb. 18. The first book to be discussed is "From Age-ing to Sage-ing" by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. The book takes a multicultural approach to look at our lives in a new way and offers practical tools to facilitate growing older with wisdom, maturity and understanding.
Alice Flood is holding a "Little Boxes" craft class at 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 22. One doesn't have to register just come and enjoy a creative afternoon with Alice.
Tax Form assistance will be held Thursday, Feb. 24, Thursday, March 3, Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10. Call SHASS to set up an appointment for this free assistance. (269-637-3607)
Health-related events taking place are: a series of nutrition workshops beginning at 11:15 am on Wednesday, Feb. 2 with Maria Ramirez from the MSU Extension, Van Buren County; a back pain relief clinic to be held at noon on Friday, Feb. 25 at the Warren Senior Center and a workshop on learning about your Medicare rights, to be held at 1 pm Feb. 21 at the center. Registration is required for this free workshop.
For more information call SHASS at 269-637-3607. Office hours are
9 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday.
Posted by Sandra at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2005
SHASS steps up to the new year with emphasis on fitness
If losing weight is one of your goals for the new year, SHASS can help you "lighten up" with a new fitness program it will initiate in February.
SHASS recently received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for implementing this walking/nutrition program called Adding Life to Your Years, Senior Healthy LifeWays....The Lighthouse Steppers and Lighter Club.The overall goal of the Lighthouse Steppers and the Lighter Club is to create an innovative senior wellness program for those 50 and over that addresses the increased need for physical activity, good nutrition and losing body fat.
Both the Lighthouse Steppers and Lighter Club will start up in February to coincide with people's new year healthier lifestyle resolutions.
Specific activities for the Lighthouse Steppers will include walking groups that meet the needs of the entire SHASS service area. There will be specific indoor and outdoor walking areas for walkers who will meet daily at a time to be determined. There will also be two treadmills available at the Warren Senior Center. The goal of Lighthouse Steppers is to encourage seniors to walk 5,000 steps, 2.5 miles or 30 minutes per day (20 days per month). The Lighthouse Steppers will take part in special events each year such as walking in the parade during the Blueberry Festival. Participants will track their progress through a logbook and pedometer given to them from SHASS. Those who walk regularly for twelve weeks will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
The overall objectives of the Lighter Club (People can belong to both the Lighthouse Steppers and the Lighter Club, or just one or the other.) is to provide peer support for dieting seniors, a monthly weigh-in clinic, a series of nutritional classes such as good nutrition, dieting tips and techniques and effective lifestyle changes. The Lighter Club will meet weekly in two different locations to accommodate the entire SHASS service area.
SHASS staff members are stepping up to the task of working out the details for carrying out these lifestyle programs, so more information will be forth coming. SHASS will implement a nominal membership fee for the two programs to help sustain them beyond the grant year. SHASS will incorporate any other costs into the regular operating budget of the organization.
Please call the SHASS office at 269-637-3607 for further details. We will look forward to hearing from you.
Another lifestyle change SHASS is planning is a brown bag lunch book discussion group (all adults- any age)to begin at noon on Friday, Feb. 18 at the Warren Senior Center. Reading is good for the mind and the soul so our first book for discussion will be "From Age-ing to Sage-ing" by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Whether you are a retired person, someone in midlife or a younger person with an older loved one, the authors show you how to turn "age-ing" into "sage-ing" - a process that brings more adventure and meaning into your life.
Come, with your brown bag lunch, to the first meeting to be held at noon on Friday, February 18 at the Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams Street. Seniors 60 and older may order a lunch through Senior Nutrition at the senior center by calling 269-637-4493 two days in advance of the meeting.
The group will meet every two weeks through March 11. You may get the book on your own or order one through SHASS at the first meeting. We will begin discussion of the first few chapters at the second meeting.
For more information, or to sign up, call Marcy Formigoni at the SHASS office - 269-637-3607.
Posted by Sandra at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)