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OUR PROGRAMS |
Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita
is a United Way of the Plains
funded agency.
Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt social service organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is not a government agency. SSI operates a variety of programs designed to improve the lives of older people and their families and to allow older people to live as independently and as productively as possible. Each year, these programs serve approximately 5,000 older residents of Wichita and Sedgwick County, their families and caregivers through the dedication of 50 paid staff and over 500 volunteers. Many of these programs have been operated by Senior Services for decades, while others have been more recently inspired by the changing needs of the older community. The agency has a longstanding reputation for caring and reliability and for successful collaboration with many other social service agencies, branches of government, religious organizations and the community at large. It has been recognized as an effective community resource that has been instrumental in keeping community health care costs down and in reducing the need for nursing home care.
The future is both exciting and challenging for Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita. The older population continues to grow, and the oldest-old, those 85 and over, comprise the fastest growing segment of the population. This growth is not attributable to increased birth rates in the early twentieth century but to increased longevity resulting from dramatic improvements in health care. In 1900, the average life expectancy was 47; it is now 78. Of course, the proportion of older citizens will continue to grow with the aging of the Baby Boomers. Senior Services is prepared to meet the challenges of the future by closely evaluating the needs of older people of Wichita and Sedgwick County and by adapting and developing programs to meet those needs.
Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita’s history began in 1968, when ministers from various downtown churches gathered to discuss the needs of older people living in the downtown core area and to develop strategies to meet those needs. They opened the Senior Activities Center at 115 East First Street as a drop-in site where older people could meet, plan activities, and exchange information about employment and volunteer opportunities.
The group quickly determined that one of the greatest issues facing seniors was a lack of adequate nutrition. Appropriately, then, it began a Meals on Wheels program, which, on January 13, 1969, delivered hot lunches to seventeen people. The Meals on Wheels program has never stopped since, having passed the 5,000,000 meal mark in 1999. The program currently serves nutritious noon meals to approximately 900 seniors in the Wichita area every weekday, and serves weekend meals to approximately 50 clients considered to be the most frail and at risk for institutionalization.
Close behind Meals on Wheels was another nutrition program: Roving Pantry. Because many seniors had no way to pick up surplus food commodities at the Sedgwick County Courthouse, Senior Services began home food delivery in June of 1969. The Roving Pantry grocery shopping and delivery service has since become an essential component of the agency’s effort to ensure adequate nutrition among the area’s elderly.
Senior Services determined that after nutrition, the most pressing issue facing seniors was employment. Starting with a simple jobs bulletin board in 1968, the Senior Employment Program has now grown to be an effective source of job referrals, job search training, and employment counseling tailored specifically to the needs of older people. In 2005, SEP helped find employment for 545 seniors.
In 1982 Senior Services, Inc. moved to new quarters at 335 West Lewis, a site that served as the Downtown Senior Center and the Meals on Wheels kitchen. By this time, the agency had become recognized as an effective clearing house of information, assistance and advocacy for elders and their families.
In January 1985, Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita was proud to become affiliated with United Way of the Plains. This relationship quickly bore fruit with the development in 1988 of In-Home Respite Care. An innovative idea at the time, it was a pilot program of the United Way to provide relief to primary caregivers of elderly dependents. Similar programs now exist around the country, helping caregivers to maintain their physical and emotional health while they care for their loved ones.
In December 1991, Senior Services, Inc. moved to its present headquarters at 200 S. Walnut, occupying what was originally St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral. The site now serves as the administrative center for the agency, the Meals on Wheels kitchen and the Downtown Senior Center.
Neighborhood Connection is the most recent addition to Senior Services’ efforts to help keep seniors independent and in their own homes. Beginning in 1996, the program matches volunteer of any age with seniors in need of minor home repair, light housekeeping, yard work and other assistance. Providing these kinds of assistance helps make keeping up a home easier.
Throughout its history, Senior Services has recognized the importance of senior centers. The agency currently operates four senior centers that respond to the changing needs and desires of the elder community by providing a rich mix of educational, recreational, health-related and physical fitness activities. The agency ensures that there is something for everyone at the centers, from informational programs on investments and legal issues to yoga, aerobics and dance classes; from foot care services to computer classes; and from bridge clubs to weight-loss programs. These centers have become focal points for older residents, and Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita is proud of their reputation for developing programs and services that help seniors live rich, active lives.
Senior Services, Inc of Wichita serves many different segments of the community. These populations include the homebound elderly, more mobile and more active seniors, as well as friends and families of seniors throughout the Wichita and Sedgwick County area. Also, the agency acts as an advocate throughout the community, working with government, other non-profit agencies, religious organizations and the media to ensure that citizens of all ages are informed about senior issues and that they have access to information about services available to seniors and their families. For information about eligibility for specific programs of Senior Services, Inc., please click on the appropriate program page.
The fiscal year 2006 (October 1, 2005 –September 30, 2006) budget is $2,360,081. Funding comes from a variety of sources, including federal, state and county grants; United Way of the Plains; foundations, private donations and client contributions:
Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita depends heavily upon the contributions of individuals, clients and private foundations to generate nearly 30% of its operating budget. Clients are asked to contribute according to a sliding scale toward the costs of the services they use; however, no client is denied services on the basis of income. If you wish to make a contribution or to make a bequest, please click on HOW TO HELP.
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age or disability. If you think you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file a complaint with Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita, (316) 267-0302 (TDD:1-800-766-3777).
200 South Walnut
Wichita, Kansas 67213-4777
(316) 267-0302
Fax (316) 267-0805
info@seniorservicesofwichita.org
Senior Services,
Inc. of Wichita assumes no responsibility for information linked to
its website.
Contents of this web site © Senior Services of Wichita, Inc.