Senior center grows
Published 3:55 am Monday, May 7, 2007
By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES-Construction is underway at Greater Niles Senior Center. Given a jumpstart by a generous donation, the center has the foundation laid for much needed additional space.
Almost since the move to its 1109 Bell Road location, directors for the center knew they would need to plan for the expansion. The center wants to offer a number of new classes for its 3,000 clients, however, the current space is fully utilized most of the time.
"We would never have been able to get this going so quickly were it not for the generous donation of Charles Huizenga. We had started fundraising for the project and had raised about $50,000 over the past several years. It was his donation of $150,000 that has made this all possible now," Kathryn Ender, director of the center said.
She recalled the day Huizenga came to her office. Administrative Assistant Mary Heskett came to Ender saying there was someone to see her.
"He said he had too much money and wanted to give us some. After he left, he asked Mary if she had heard the amount I had. I was sure I had heard incorrectly," she said.
The entire project will cost approximately $250,000. Additional items like handicap accessible doorways and repaving the parking lot could cost as much as $50,000 or more.
The center is supported by a countywide millage of .25 mill that gives the center a $220,000 a year. This covers all administration and program costs.
This new addition will contain a large activity room, one smaller activity room, a pantry and washrooms. It will allow for a renovation of the administration offices, which are often used as class space with the shortage of space.
"We are excited by the possibility of adding to our programs most of which are 75 percent client-inspired. Currently, we offer sign language, line and Hawaiian dancing, computer classes, Tai Chi and of course our popular bingo games. We have had requests for programs like yoga and massage. I hate restricting programs. We just didn't have the room," she said.
Marge Durm-Hiatt began her work with the senior center in 1974 when it was located from Saint Mary's Convent to Second Street, where the United Federal Credit Union now stands. In 1979, it moved to a location on Third Street where it remained until 2002, when it moved into its current location.
"I began doing outreach when we had only 300 clients registered. When I left four years later, we had approximately 3,000 registered and it has remained fairly consistent ever since. I remember going door-to-door and people inviting you right in," Durm-Hiatt said.
Many of the earliest clients of the center came from four area seniors clubs; Golden Age, Club of Niles, Redbud Seniors from Buchanan, Brandywine Seniors and Howard Township Seniors. Each Club had 60 to 100 members on its own.
"Most of the women had never worked outside the home. They did quilting and sewing. None of us had ever even heard of Tai Chi. It was a whole different generation then," Durm-Hiatt said.
The move to Third Street attracted many seniors, as it was just three blocks away from the 251 Cass Street apartments, which at that time were entirely occupied by seniors. The Third Street location was however, plagued by parking problems.
Durm-Hiatt is credited with finding the current location. Although it had been vacant for some time, the group had not really considered anything outside of downtown.
She was attracted to the light of the former printing operation. An architect was contacted and the current facility was secured.
Huizenga, while not a regular participant in the center's programming, often brought in magazines. He would come quietly, drop off the magazines and then leave. He was unassuming but spoke to seniors and appreciated all the center had to offer.
"Most of our programs are offered completely free of charge. There is a $5 charge for each two-hour computer class. I think many people are unaware of all we do offer here," Enders said.
Transportation is perhaps the center's biggest service. Getting to doctor's appointments in Saint Joseph and South Bend would be a real challenge for many without the transportation services Durm-Hiatt said.
There are tax services offered on site. Enders takes care of finding the seniors the tax credits. This year she discovered $147,316 worth of credits for the seniors.
The commodities program provides a box of food for those with lower incomes. A considerable amount of coordination with other agencies is also conducted on behalf of the seniors.
In Niles and surrounding area, there is 20.7 percent of the population age 65 and over who are living below the poverty level. The only area in Berrien County with a higher level of poverty among the elderly is Benton Harbor/Benton Township.
"We can't thank Mr. Huizenga and other our other donors enough. Anyone able to make a donation of any kind will help to complete the job and make life even better for our seniors," Ender said.