Senior Center
Your Place to be Active, Fit and Connected
The Senior Center is open to the public
The mission of the Jonesborough Senior Center is to be a community focal point for people 50 years of age and older. Our center is designed to enhance the quality of life for our members by providing a place to be active, fit and connected. Our focus is healthy aging through social engagement, physical well-being, civic involvement, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Contact
| Mary Regen | Director | 423.753.1084 |
| Kathy Crawford | Assistant Director | 423.753.1082 |
| Allen Weems | Program Director | 423.753.1083 |
| Susan Katko | MyRide TN | 423.788.4770 |
Mary Regen
Director
Town of Jonesborough, TennesseeStaff Pledge
We pledge to work together to create a warm and friendly environment for our members and guests. We will strive to provide the best service for all and uphold the mission of the center. We commit to reach out to our community and organizations that impact those in need of support and assistance.
Mary Regen oversees the operation of the Senior Center. The center offers a variety of activities, programs and fitness classes. With a motto of “Your place to be Active, Fit and Connected”, the utmost importance is placed on the programs offered at the center meeting with that goal. The senior center programs are designed to meet all the aspects of overall well-being, including financial, fitness, nutrition, emotional health, entertainment, outings and the center is committed to being a community focal point for providing excellent service to our members age 50 +. Mary can be reached at 423.753.1084.
The Jonesborough Senior Center opened its doors in December of 2015. With almost 30,000 square feet the center offers ample space for center members to take part in their program of choice. The center offers a computer lab, classroom, arts and crafts, dining room, card/ game room, a fitness center, group exercise room, recreation room and wellness resources (clinic).
The center hours are 8 am – 5 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 8 am – 8pm Tuesday and Thursday.
Our center is now a Nationally Accredited Senior Center by the National Council on Aging.
Announcement
The Jonesborough Senior Center will host a Spring Expo & Health Fair on Wednesday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will take place at the Jonesborough Senior Center, located at 307 East Main Street.
More than 30 vendors will be at the Jonesborough Senior Center with useful health information, free giveaways, door prizes and interactive booths.
The mission of the Jonesborough Senior Center is to be a community focal point for people over 50 years of age. The center is designed to enhance the quality of life for members by providing a place to be active, fit and connected. They focus on healthy aging through social engagement, physical well-being, civic involvement, creativity and lifelong learning.
Announcement
In an effort to ensure adults 60 years and older have a meal available to them, the FTHRA, are providing a 5-day shelf stable meal box, that can be ordered through the meal site coordinator at 423.753.1080 and will be picked up through the Nutrition Program drive-thru at the Jonesborough Senior Center. We still encourage folks to come through the drive thru for a hot lunch, but we know this isn’t always very convenient. We hope this will help ensure good nutrition for seniors in your community. More information is HERE.
Note: FTHRA does need participants to fill out a Participation Registration Form (this is a form that all meal recipients must fill out; this form can be picked up from the meal site coordinator).
Announcement
Following is information from Alzheimer’s Tennessee. One is for online education if you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of Dementia. The second flyer attached is for zoom meetings for Caregivers to participate and interact with other caregivers in similar situations. Both are valuable resources, but too lengthy to include in the newsletter itself.
The Jonesborough Writers Group
Proudly presents
THE AGING MAN
By
Jewel Kemberling
I saw his face and I studied his expression. It seemed he was reflecting on his past; people he had known, maybe even family members. He looked a bit troubled and he was so silent. He had much to say but was wondering if anyone listening would even understand his thoughts, his words, his feelings.
He had lost someone dear to him and now, to grow older without their presence in his life was becoming more and more difficult for him. My belief is that he wanted to reach out to others. He wanted to be a part of someone’s life. He needed to feel wanted and useful.
Isn’t it ironic how we go from day to day in this crazy world of ours and we seem to take so much for granted. We should stop every now and then, just long enough to observe those around us. We should acknowledge that someone might be in our midst with a story to tell, maybe a happy one, or too often a sad one. We should listen. The answers they need might relate to a story form our present or past.
His beard is long, his face is missing a smile, and what about his heart, his soul? We will never know unless we ask.
I am curious. I am concerned. Will he respond if I speak to him? Maybe, maybe not, but I am hopeful that he will. He needs an ear to listen. He needs to know that he is only alone temporarily.
Good morning, my friend. My name is Hope. What’s yours?
The End.
Ongoing Services
The Jonesborough Senior Center is open to the public. Call 423.753.4781
- Congregate meal pick up from 11:30 am – noon Monday – Friday
- Meals on Wheels
- MyRideTN Jonesborough volunteers provide door through door transportation to anyone 60 and older. Transportation is provided to medical, pharmacy, groceries and other essential trips.
- If you have any health-related questions or just need to talk to someone, call the front desk at 423.753.4781
- The May Menu can be found HERE
- The June Menu can be found HERE
DO YOU NEED HELP?
Non-perishable food donations are accepted at the Jonesborough Senior Center and taken to the JAMA food pantry. Please check the newsletter for monthly community service projects. If you are experiencing an emergency please call the police department at 423.753.1053 or call 911.
Weather Policy
Please note that the center activities, trips and events are cancelled when Washington County Schools are closed due to weather. The center will be open based upon road conditions. Please call 423.753.4781 and/or check Facebook to see if the center is open.
MyRide TN Jonesborough
My Ride TN Jonesborough is a Volunteer Based program that provides door through door transportation for seniors who live in the Jonesborough area. For more details on our service or to volunteer, contact Susan Katko at 423.788.4770 or stop in and visit her at the Senior Center Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm.
Kathy Crawford, Assistant Director, is responsible for certain financial and statistical aspects of the senior center. Kathy maintains the Special Projects this account is funded with donations and fundraisers and used for events and programming at the center.
You can now apply and pay ONLINE for your membership. On your first visit you will have your residential status documented and receive your co-pilot card. Staff can answer any questions you may have.
Kathy oversees the new member registration and the reporting of participation to First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The daily tracking of participation is crucial to the continued government funding. Kathy can be reached at 423.753.1082.
Allen Weems, Program Director, is responsible for planning and managing activities, events, trips, and programs for our senior center members. Our programming goal is to offer a wide variety of experiences and education that allows members to go places, learn new things and be active in a safe and social environment. Examples of trips: a day trip to the theatre, a train ride, shopping trip and to local attractions.
As a part of our Lifelong Learning program, the center offers educational programs that cover many different topics of interest; to include financial, Bible studies, language and cooking classes. Arts and crafts is another well-established program at the center, including painting, jewelry making and sewing. There are plenty of opportunities to join in the fun. The computer lab, members can use the center computers daily and enjoy taking classes, games and checking emails.
A detailed listing of the daily programs, events and activities can be viewed in the center’s newsletter. The newsletter is emailed to each member. The Program Director can be reached at 423.753.1083.
John Saylor is our Program Coordinator can be reached at 423.753.4852 or by email jsaylor@jonesboroughtn.org
The Nutrition Site Coordinator works with FTHRA to provide a weekday, lunchtime meal in the Senior Center’s dining room at 11:30 am, and also manages the Meals on Wheels program for seniors in Washington County, Tennessee.
Members of the Jonesborough Senior Center who wish to have lunch at the center may sign up by calling the center’s main number, 423.753.4781 or stop by the dining room to RSVP. Please sign up 3 days in advance so enough food can be prepared. Suggested lunch contributions are $3.00 for members 60 years old and older and $6.00 for younger members. Monthly menus are posted at the main desk.
The Meals on Wheels program relies heavily on volunteers to deliver and serve the nutritious meals to homebound seniors rely on daily. Without our dedicated volunteers this valuable program would not survive. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Nutrition Site Coordinator at 423.753.1080.
David Gillenwater is our Custodian/ Maintenance personnel. David has worked for the Town for over five years and takes care of the center and the grounds.
Robin Beals is our Fitness Specialist. Robin has been an instructor at the center for over 12 years and teaches many fitness classes, water aerobics, dance and provides personal training, she works with the staff to develop new classes and programming. Robin can be reached by calling the front desk.
Morgan Smith, The Options Counselor, works with the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, and is available Monday – Friday. The FTAAAD administers programs through the Older Americans Act. The goal is to keep individuals in their home for as long as possible so that they can remain an active part of the community. Services provided through these programs include homemaker services, personal care services, home delivered meals, in home respite services, and PERS. These services are in high demand, and there is a waiting list. If you, or someone you know is in need of these services, the sooner the screening the better. The Options Counselor is available to help find community resources for those who need it and to help with programs, such as energy assistance (LIHEAP) and can be reached at 423.753.1081.
Gayle Hawley, RN is the center’s Faith Community Nurse. She is here Monday – Thursday from 8 am – 4 pm. to provide classes, programs, health screenings, one-on -one health coaching and to discuss concerns, needs and prayer requests in confidential setting. Gayle can be reached by calling the front desk.
Pam Kruger serves as Hostess
Don Bagwell serves as Host
Senior Center Advisory Committee
The Director works closely with the Senior Center Advisory Board that meets monthly on the 4th Thursday at 4 pm. The Advisory Board assists in recommending new programs, fundraising and assisting the center with events.
The current board members are:
| Tom Pardue |
| Mike Ford |
| Jerry Paulsen |
| Phyllis Fabozzi |
| Pauline Douglas |
| Pat Wolfe |
| Joe Allison |
Jonesborough Senior Center is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Jonesborough Senior Center also operates its programs and services without regard to race, color and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. To file a complaint, see our complaint procedure below. Complaint Form is below.
