January 21, 2024 – In addition to being awarded $2.8 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources PARC Grant Program for a new senior center, The Decatur Park District announced that they will also partner with CHELP to provide a “One Stop Shop” for seniors.
As of November 2023, the Macon County Senior Center and the Decatur Park District Senior Center combined to offer all services in one location at the Scovill Banquet Facility and they have quickly outgrown their current facility. The new space will not only offer daily exercise programs and activities like art classes, lectures, music enrichment, cards, games, and meal service but also critical services such as counseling for senior health insurance programs, agency referrals, and other important services.
“It’s exciting to see Decatur get support from the state, giving residents the recreational opportunities, they deserve,” said State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield. “Decatur is making tremendous progress on providing recreation for the community, especially for our seniors. These revitalization efforts will have lasting effects on the community.”
“I am pleased to see this renovation come to fruition to give our seniors a new community center, where they can stay active, socialize and learn new hobbies,” said State Rep. Sue Scherer of Decatur. “Instead of struggling to make it to different locations, all of the services will be in one central location which is what our seniors deserve.”
Once the facility is complete, The Decatur Park District will also partner with CHELP, the Community Home Environment Learning Project. The partnership will provide additional social services to seniors. CHELP provides Home Care Services (both state subsidized and private pay), Adult Protective Services, Senior Access to Care/Information and Referral Services as well as they facilitate the Dementia Friendly Decatur initiative.
