Westside Senior Center Is Getting More Than A Makeover
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: October 10, 2012
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name - and they're always glad you came.
Those are music lyrics but some area senior citizens say that's exactly how they feel. The Westside Senior Center in Utica recently had a makeover, but it's more than just physical adjustments.
The Westside Senior Center has been around for years, but some members weren't happy with the way it was being run. A few months ago, they decided to go in a new direction with a new board of directors. And since the change, the senior center has seen an increase in membership, activities, and community events.
"It really gives me a lot of joy for people to come and to see them smiling and relaxed and intermingling with one another because that's what the center is all about," says Barbara Mickler, Westside Senior Center President.
But that's not what the center was about for a number of years; members say the center was falling apart.
"A lot of times we come here, the door was locked, nobody come here, and i don't know, this place wasn't picked up," says Helen Misztal, Westside Senior Center member.
"A lot of seniors would come in intermittently and it would be locked so they got disgruntled and said the heck with this, we're not gonna come anymore," says Paul Mickler, Westside Senior Center CEO.
Mickler took over the senior center 2 months ago. He says he wanted to help improve a place to benefit the seniors and the community.
"If you don't have community and you don't have a safe place to live, you really have nothing. Once you're retired, there's not a lot to do. It's like hanging out with the guys when your 15-16 years old except now your 80-90 years old, you can come down here and do the same things," says Mickler.
And the seniors agree.
"We love to come here 3 times a week, we exercise and we have coffee and over here is so nice," says Misztal.
"A friend of mine and I play pool almost 3 times a week," says Henry Jaworski, Westside Senior Center member.
In just 2 months, Paul says membership has more than doubled. He says 150 seniors have joined and 85 seniors have come back, totaling to over 350 members at The Westside Senior Center. And some seniors are even calling the center a second home.
"Feels more like a home, I even come here with my grandchildren when they don't have school. They exercise like crazy, they love it here," says Misztal.
"We want them to know its a safe place and they are welcome all the time," says Barbara Mickler.
The board of directors say they're already planning a number of events at the senior center. Their Annual Polish Dinner is set for next Saturday, October 20th and they encourage the entire community to attend.
Those are music lyrics but some area senior citizens say that's exactly how they feel. The Westside Senior Center in Utica recently had a makeover, but it's more than just physical adjustments.
The Westside Senior Center has been around for years, but some members weren't happy with the way it was being run. A few months ago, they decided to go in a new direction with a new board of directors. And since the change, the senior center has seen an increase in membership, activities, and community events.
"It really gives me a lot of joy for people to come and to see them smiling and relaxed and intermingling with one another because that's what the center is all about," says Barbara Mickler, Westside Senior Center President.
But that's not what the center was about for a number of years; members say the center was falling apart.
"A lot of times we come here, the door was locked, nobody come here, and i don't know, this place wasn't picked up," says Helen Misztal, Westside Senior Center member.
"A lot of seniors would come in intermittently and it would be locked so they got disgruntled and said the heck with this, we're not gonna come anymore," says Paul Mickler, Westside Senior Center CEO.
Mickler took over the senior center 2 months ago. He says he wanted to help improve a place to benefit the seniors and the community.
"If you don't have community and you don't have a safe place to live, you really have nothing. Once you're retired, there's not a lot to do. It's like hanging out with the guys when your 15-16 years old except now your 80-90 years old, you can come down here and do the same things," says Mickler.
And the seniors agree.
"We love to come here 3 times a week, we exercise and we have coffee and over here is so nice," says Misztal.
"A friend of mine and I play pool almost 3 times a week," says Henry Jaworski, Westside Senior Center member.
In just 2 months, Paul says membership has more than doubled. He says 150 seniors have joined and 85 seniors have come back, totaling to over 350 members at The Westside Senior Center. And some seniors are even calling the center a second home.
"Feels more like a home, I even come here with my grandchildren when they don't have school. They exercise like crazy, they love it here," says Misztal.
"We want them to know its a safe place and they are welcome all the time," says Barbara Mickler.
The board of directors say they're already planning a number of events at the senior center. Their Annual Polish Dinner is set for next Saturday, October 20th and they encourage the entire community to attend.
