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Center 50 Plus reports 15,000 patrons and expands age‑friendly initiatives
Summary
Center 50 Plus leaders told the council their 2024 annual report shows 15,000 patrons served, 465 volunteers and initiatives including a wellness‑on‑wheels van and a volunteer driver pilot for transportation; the center and its nonprofit Friends group raised $125,000 to support programming.
Chair John Hughes, Friends of Center 50 Plus President Karen Bolliger and Center 50 Plus Director Marilyn Daley Blair presented the Center 50 Plus 2024 annual report to the City Council on June 23, highlighting volunteer capacity, outreach and the city’s Age‑Friendly Salem initiative.
Key figures and programs cited - Patrons served: approximately 15,000 attendees with daily participation over 700. - Volunteers: 465 volunteers contributing roughly 105,000 hours and producing an estimated $3 million in community value, the presenters said. - Programs and services: more than 200 programs across seven wellness dimensions; the Wow Van (Wellness on Wheels) made 55 outreach visits to underserved neighborhoods; "Among Friends" adult day program served about 1,906 participants and accepts Medicaid under a contract with Northwest Senior and Disability Services. - Fundraising: Friends of Center 50 Plus raised $125,000 for the center through events including the Cup of Joe Sustainers Breakfast and the Boot Scootin' Brew fundraiser.
Age‑Friendly work Daley Blair summarized the Age‑Friendly Salem initiative (begun in 2017) and said the advisory commission prioritized transportation (a volunteer driver pilot) and housing (partnering on a co‑housing project) for the coming year. The center plans to continue two-year priorities and expand bilingual and outreach work to non‑English speaking residents.
Why it matters: presenters said Center 50 Plus maximizes city investment — staff said the center returns roughly $3 of service value per city dollar — and the center is a hub for older adults' socialization, fall‑prevention programming and health outreach.
Next steps Center 50 Plus will continue its fundraising and outreach calendar, hold events to recruit more donors and volunteers, and work with council members on housing partnerships and parking/service coordination for seniors.
