Marquette Senior Center reports record use, expanding services and staffing gaps in annual report

Maureen "Moe" McFadden, the city’s senior services manager, told the Marquette City Commission on Monday that the Marquette Senior Center saw expanded use and new programs in 2025 while social work demand has risen faster than staffing.

McFadden said the center serves Marquette City, Marquette Township, Chocolay Township and Powell Township at no cost to clients, primarily funded by the Marquette County and City senior millages. The center’s services are available to residents age 60 and older for social work services; programming is open to those 50 and older.

McFadden highlighted several statistics: 1,128 unique individuals accessed the center for programming (not counting off‑site tax assistance or Silver Sampler) and more than 15,000 building check‑ins from January through August 2025. She said case management in‑home services currently has about 200 people on the program and a 50‑person wait list; she noted that two decades ago the caseload was roughly 62 people and staffing has increased by only one part‑time social worker since then.

The senior center reported several program expansions and grant awards: it received a Superior Health Foundation falls‑prevention grant to train instructors in an evidence‑based program (Asahi Nordic), expanded AARP tax assistance by moving to Lakeview Arena to increase capacity, launched five new programs including a secretary of state appointment service and a ukulele class, and implemented a new database (My Senior Center) in partnership with Marquette County Aging Services.

McFadden said Medicare/Medicaid assistance counseling was a major service: during last year’s open enrollment the center’s counselors saw 288 clients in five weeks, and she said their counseling saved clients more than $115,000 in health insurance costs. She also said social workers had identified and reported locally occurring Medicare fraud to state and federal authorities.

Commissioners praised the center and asked about capacity to grow and funding options. McFadden said limited building space, parking and accessibility are the primary constraints; she said the center is exploring grants, outreach to outlying communities that already contribute millage funds, and potential fundraising strategies while noting municipal fundraising options are limited by the city's status as a municipal entity.

Commissioners recognized volunteer Barbara "Barb" Cisarni (also spelled Cisarni/Cisorny in public remarks) for a decade of volunteer tax assistance and the commission presented a resolution of appreciation.

McFadden closed by asking the community to follow the center on Facebook and encouraged support for programs that preserve seniors’ independence and community engagement.