Paola-Senior-Center

The Paola Senior Center originated in 1982 at

the behest of the

Ursuline Sisters

The Sisters

saw a need in the Community and thus the

Paola Senior Center came into existence. In

1984 the building, that now houses the Center,

was built with the help of community

donations.

A four vehicle garage was added to the facility

within the past year. The Paola Senior Center

is a not-for-profit organization which provides

many services to the City of Paola and the

surrounding areas.

The Center has a full time director who has a

Masters Degree in Social Work from Kansas

University School of Social Work, and a board

of directors of twelve members of the

community with experience in many different

areas of expertise.

The Director of the Senior Center is also the

Director for The General Public Transportation

Program which is sponsored by the Senior

Center.

This program provides on demand

transportation to citizens of all ages in the

general Paola area and as far as the greater

Kansas City area for medical and other

transportation needs. The service does not

extend across the state line.

Contrary to popular belief a Senior Center is

not just a place for "Old People" to meet and

play cards or put puzzles together. It is much

more complex than that.

While it is true we do have social activities,

some of which are card playing and puzzles,

we also are a service agency.

We serve citizens into the age range of 55

years and older for Senior Social Activities and

Transportation and Tax

Services for all ages

for the General Public.

In addition we have two trained

SHICK

(Senior Health Insurance Counseling

for

Kansas) Counselors to assist people with

complexities of the Medicare and insurance

systems.

In collaboration with the Miami County

extension office we provide information and

demonstrations on nutrition with the County

Extension Director visiting the Center monthly

to do a presentation.

We act as a site for the Meals on Wheels

Program renting space to the Mid American

Nutrition Program which is the agency for

Meals on Wheels. They provide meal delivery

and a daily congregate meal at the center.

We have art classes, a quilting group, line

dancing, computer classes, and a grief Support

that meets weekly at the Center to

provide

services to those who have grief and

loss

issues. A Diabetes Support Group and a

Low

Vision Group also meet regularly at the

Center

to provide support for folks of all ages

who

have challenges in these areas. We like

wise

act as a site for commodity foods when

they

are available.

We are open five days a week from 9:00 am

until 3:00 pm on Monday through Thursday

and from 9:00am to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

Our Director is Donna Prock and she can be

reached at the Center at 913-294-4630

Paola Senior Center

Our regular activities:

Monday
1:00 to 3:00 p.m
Card playing, Cansasta and Pitch

Tuesday
1:00-3:00 pm
computer class

Wednesday
9:00 am to11:45 pm - Quilting
10:15 am to 11:45 am Line dancing
(every other Wednesday)
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grief
Support Group
1:00 pm to 2:00 p.m. - art class

Thursday (first Thursday of each
month)
6:00 pm to 8:30 pm potluck dinner
and entertainment

For further information on times
and dates of other support groups
and activities please call the Center
and ask for the Director.

Our Board Members are:
Chairman: Lee Wiersma
Vice Chairman: Sandra Scheib
Secretary: Marie L. Debrick
other members: Jim Johnson, Faye
Gillogley, Helen Suits, Harley Keeton,
Carl Buchman, Mildred Haley, Jeff
Clark, Hazel Wilhoit, and George
Weaver.