Expanding a Vital Community Resource
Senior centers play an essential role in the heart of a community, serving as more than just a gathering place for older adults. They are hubs for connection, learning, and support, creating an inclusive space where generations can come together. These centers offer opportunities for social engagement, mental stimulation, and physical well-being, all of which are vital to maintaining a high quality of life for seniors. Beyond benefiting individual participants, senior centers foster stronger, more connected communities by reducing isolation, promoting health, and encouraging intergenerational interaction.
The Dexter Senior Center is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Construction is well underway for a new building that will be the permanent home for this thriving organization. With the construction of a new Dexter Senior Center, this growing community is poised to enhance these crucial services, strengthening the bond between residents of all ages.
The Center has served the greater Dexter area for over 50 years, though in recent years, members have been looking to expand and find a permanent home for the organization. From 1995 to 2020, the Dexter Senior Center was located in the Copeland building, owned by Dexter Community Schools. More recently, the Senior Center has been situated inside the Dexter Wellness Center, which was purchased by the Dexter Community Schools in April of 2024.
An Outpouring of Support
Through a dedicated group effort, with the collaboration of local organizations, community leaders, and generous donors, the funding for a new Senior Center became a reality, showcasing the power of teamwork and shared vision. Thanks to overwhelming support, the Senior Center will have a new building and the city of Dexter is going to gain a fantastic community resource. The exciting new building project will encompass both the new Senior Center and the adjacent Wellness Center, which will become a multigenerational Community Center.
“The intergenerational campus, as part of the Dexter Community Schools property, will offer programs and services to all generations,” said Jim Carson, President of the Board of the Dexter Senior Center.
The project is made possible by partnership between members of the community, the Dexter School System, elected officials, and county funding, just to name a few.
“We are thankful for the outpouring of support,” Carson said. “Many of us on the board have been committed to community service for numerous years, and we have never seen this level of support. It has been a huge team effort.”
Instrumental in the new project is an $8.5 million state appropriation secured by the Dexter Community Schools to use for a multigenerational community center. Elected officials key in securing the grant include Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Senator Sue Shink, Representative Jennifer Conlin, and Representative Carrie Rheingans. In addition to this generous grant, Congresswoman Dingell was instrumental in securing a federal Community Project Funding Grant. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners also provided funding, as well as outside private contributors.
Many of the above-mentioned elected officials joined the Senior Center Board, Director, and members for a Groundbreaking Ceremony on July 27th. Also at the ceremony were Mayor Shawn Keough, Webster Township Treasurer John Scharf, Dexter school board member Dick Lundy and Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Maciejewski. At the ceremony, led by Board President Jim Carson, the officials expressed the overwhelming support for the Dexter Senior Center and acknowledged the need in the community for this type of resource.
A Place to Make Connections
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Congresswoman Dingell spoke about how the isolation during the Covid 19 pandemic reminded us that we need human connections to remain both physically and mentally healthy. Isolation and loneliness continue to be genuine health concerns, especially among the elderly population. The Senior Center fills a need in the community by offering a space for seniors to connect with one another, as well as with younger people.
Cooper Holland has been a member of the Dexter Senior Center for over three years and currently serves on the Board of the Center as well. She attends two to three exercise classes per week, has started a book club, and has formed valuable friendships at the Senior Center since moving to Dexter.
“The Senior Center offers people the opportunity to connect and get involved,” Holland said. “We have activities that keep people busy, both mentally and physically. Everybody brings something special and different to the Center and there are so many activities to choose from. It has truly changed my life.”
In addition to a wide array of enriching activities, the Dexter Senior Center has a strong Meals on Wheels and Senior Cafe program. The Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver nutritious meals to members of the community who are housebound, while the Senior Cafe offers senior community members a chance to eat with one another three days a week for a small donation.
Bringing Generations Together Promotes Well-Being
While serving the elderly population is vital, the vision for the new Senior Center, Wellness Center, and Dexter Community Schools is also multigenerational. Part of the programs include bringing school aged children to the Senior Center to play bingo or read to members, among other activities. The multigenerational aspect benefits old and young people alike by aiming to bridge the gap between generations, fostering mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Creating opportunities for shared learning and enrichment enhances the overall well-being of both the young and the elderly.
“We believe the school system’s vision for a multigenerational community resource is very forward-thinking,” said Holland.
Jim Carson adds to this sentiment. “The multigenerational campus will give opportunities for the whole community to interact with one another,” said Carson. “We have found that the kids love this, as well as the seniors. It’s a win/win situation.”
What will change with the new Dexter Senior Center? There will be more space to expand the programs and there will be an ability to serve more people, as the population of the Dexter area continues to grow.
“We plan to take what we have, make that even better, and add on to that,” said Holland. “This opportunity to grow is such a gift.”
The Dexter Senior Center is a vital cornerstone of the Dexter community, providing invaluable support, resources, and opportunities for connection to its senior members. Beyond serving as a haven for older adults, the center fosters a multigenerational spirit by hosting events, programs, and volunteer opportunities that bring together people of all ages. This intergenerational interaction strengthens community bonds, promotes mutual understanding, and creates a sense of belonging for everyone involved.
There are so many ways to get involved, connect, and improve your health and wellness through the Dexter Senior Center. Below is a sampling of what is available. Visit their website at dexterseniors.org for more information and details, plus a listing of special activities for each month.
Mental Activities
- Book Club
- Technology Support
- Bridge
- Euchre
- Cribbage
- Pinochle
- Bingo
- Chinese Mahjong
- French Study Group
Arts & Crafts
- Weaving Lessons
- Needle Arts and Coloring & Crafts
- Cardmaking
Music
- Choir
- Dulcimer Group
- Beginners Dulcimer Group
- Ukulele Group
Fitness
- Chair Yoga
- Strength & Stretch Class
- Rise & Shine Gentle Yoga
Meal Outreach
Meals on Wheels are delivered Monday through Friday at lunchtime to members of the community who are confined to their homes. This is a great opportunity to have a low cost meal and see a daily friendly face.
Senior Café is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at noon. The Senior Café is a great opportunity to have a low cost meal, and socialize. The suggested donation is $3 per meal.
