Community Connection Centers

A Vision of Revitalized Centers That Serve Seniors

Senior centers have historically offered a sense of community for the aging population.  Seniors may share a meal with their peers, learn a new skill and participate in physical activities.  But times are changing.

With their sheer numbers and diverse lifestyles, the boomers offer center directors an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the image of today's centers into a dynamic, accessible and appealing community resource.

To attract more and younger people to centers, they will need strong programming that is accessible and appealing.  Educational and community events - often in collaboration with other local agencies or groups - can expand the scope of the center, and evening and weekend hours are attractive to the growing number of older adults who are working well past traditional retirement age.

Programming needs to change with the generations, as well, offering a diverse mix of activities that appeal to younger and older seniors, men and women.  Centers also must address the common barriers that keep seniors from attending.  Among the most basic are accessibility issues like transportation, parking, health issues and hours of operation.

Tomorrow's center will have features such as a fitness area, computer room, large multi-functional space that can be broken into multiple program areas and a preventive health room.  It will focus on multi-functional utilization.  Fewer centers will be freestanding, but rather, they will be attached to another facility, perhaps offering inter-generational activities. Others will actively collaborate with other community organizations such as universities to offer educational and recreational opportunities that seniors want.

Every aspect of tomorrow's center will embrace the concept that seniors are just as diverse as other adults, with a variety of capabilities, needs, and tastes.  Centers will need to adapt the programming, menu, and ambience to meet these diverse needs.

How Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging Can Help

NEIL funding can be used for "state of the art" programs

Examples of "state of the art" programs

Fundable Services

Eligible Applicants (Community Connection Center Funding)

Community Connection Center Funding Levels

Click here to view a PDF document detailing the Community Connection Centers