It’s been 10 years since the Senior Services Center of Will County last held a major capital campaign to enhance services for the elderly, when $1.7 million was raised to move to its current home at 251 N. Center St. in Joliet.
This time, officials hope to raise $1.2 million to finish paying for the facility. About half the funds would retire the mortgage; the rest would go toward roof repair and a parking lot expansion, plus allow officials to create an emergency fund.
“If we can eliminate our monthly mortgage payment, more of our money can go toward services,” said Executive Director Pat Hensley.
More Top Picks Best Filing Cabinets On Wheels
Those services include general-interest classes and workshops, health screenings and home-delivered meals. They have become increasingly strained as Will County’s senior population has grown in recent years, Hensley said. She said the 2000 census showed a 30 percent increase in the 65-and-older population over the previous decade.
Today, the center delivers meals on weekdays to almost 500 seniors, with 280 more on a waiting list because of lack of money.
In 2005, the number of people served by the center increased to almost 50,000, far beyond the few thousand clients it had when it opened 40 years ago.
“Aging and the demand for services is at an all-time high and the center needs to be in a position to respond to the services that the seniors request,” said Mike Hennessey, Executive Director of the United Way of Will County.
The United Way directed almost $130,000 to the center for programs over the last year, Hennessey said.
Still, the center is straining to keep up with the demand for services, Hensley said.
She said the capital campaign, which kicked off in November and will culminate with the celebration of the center’s 40th anniversary next year, has so far raised about $336,000.
Any money raised above the $540,000 mortgage balance will go toward building improvements and the emergency fund.
Donations may be sent to the center at 251 N. Center St. For more information, call 815-740-4207.