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Hub on Smith highlights elder services, GPET funding and new skilled‑nursing services
Summary
Hub on Smith staff told the Sheridan City Council the nonprofit serves thousands annually, leverages $80,000 in GPET funds for support-center and Help at Home services, recently added skilled nursing and is managing a half‑million dollar budget reduction without eliminating programs.
Hub on Smith leaders told Sheridan City Council on Sept. 2 that the nonprofit’s community‑based elder services remain in high demand and that city GPET funding supports critical programs that help residents stay at home and avoid more expensive institutional care.
Ryan Landis, director of operations, and Ryan Koltyska, director of development, presented service data and financing details and said $80,000 from GPET funds supported the support center and Help at Home services during the last fiscal year. Landis said Help at Home served 165 unique clients from July 1 to June 30, constituting almost 11,000 minutes (noted in presentation as 8,100 visits) and that skilled nursing was added this year after accreditation support from the Kieny Foundation.
Koltyska and other Hub staff described services and metrics: the Hub reports serving roughly 3,600 unique patrons countywide last fiscal year; more than 100,000 meals were served last year and the Hub expects an approximately 5% increase in meal delivery this fiscal year. Goose Creek Transit provided roughly 50,000 rides year‑to‑date, and the Hub’s dementia‑friendly programming led by Heather Comstock has served about 1,100 individuals this year. Staff said about 90% of Hub participants are low‑ to moderate‑income households.
Council members praised the transit and meal programs and asked clarifying questions about operations. Koltyska told council the Hub is one of Sheridan’s largest local nonprofits, has more than 80 employees and about 475 active volunteers, and noted the Hub resides on city land and donors and the organization have invested more than $15 million into its buildings over 45 years.
Koltyska said the Hub cut roughly $500,000 from its budget for the coming fiscal year but that no programs were eliminated; the reduction primarily affected staffing. He said the city’s GPET allocation is leveraged by state, federal and private funding to multiply impact.
Why it matters
City GPET funding supports services that Hub staff say cost far less annually than nursing‑home care and can preserve independence and reduce taxpayer costs. The addition of skilled nursing is intended to fill a previously unmet need in Sheridan’s community‑based services.
Provenance
Transcript excerpts supporting this summary include the Hub introduction and the presentation of utilization and funding figures: "our mission is simple, to celebrate, embrace and serve older adults" and "the $80,000 from the GPET funds went directly to the support center and to help at home... Help at Home served 165 individual unique clients".
