Anne Foster, senior center coordinator for Forest Park, told the mayor and council on Jan. 6 that the Forest Park Senior Center increased activities and community partnerships in 2024 and plans further program expansion in 2025.

Foster said the center runs chair exercise classes Tuesdays and Thursdays and has grown a nutrition education program that, with outside funding, provided weekly healthy‑food demonstrations and fresh produce distributions from June through August. “Each person that came received a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Foster said, describing the summer program until the outside funding ended.

The coordinator described mental‑health programming, including monthly wellness breakfasts on grief, social isolation and anxiety led by a clinician, and education on dementia symptoms. Foster said the center partnered with Community Healthcare for monthly boot camps, healthy‑food demonstrations, free lunches and giveaways, and that the Clayton County Health District provided hands‑only CPR training that certified 25 participants.

Social and enrichment offerings expanded too. Foster said residents participate in competitive and recreational activities — the center’s shuffleboard team won a gold medal at the Senior Olympics — and the center led a major trip to Montgomery that used a 55‑passenger bus with only three empty seats. She also cited arts and crafts, a candle‑making workshop and a guest speaker series addressing fraud and other topics relevant to older adults.

Foster named several community partners the center worked with in 2024: Community Healthcare, Clayton County Senior Services, Clayton County Department of Digital Equity, the Forest Park Ministers Association and local businesses that sponsor monthly birthday celebrations. She said a therapeutic art instructor from the Frank Bailey Senior Center and ongoing collaboration with the Sonya Singletary Center helped expand arts offerings.

Looking ahead, Foster said the center has ordered a van to assist with transportation for residents, plans to start a tai chi class after her certification, and will continue to pursue Atlanta Regional Commission opportunities for meal programs. “Partnership helps to strengthen the growth of our programs,” she said.

Council members thanked Foster for the work. Council member Gutierrez said he could see the change in participation and thanked her for “dedication and genuine love.” Councilwoman James and Council member Akins Wells also praised the increased engagement.

City Manager Clark introduced the presentation and noted the city’s intent to support the center and its partnerships. He also thanked staff and partner organizations for the programs described.

The presentation concluded with council praise and no formal action requested or taken.