Forest Park senior center reports expanded programming, new van ordered and partnerships with health organizations

The Forest Park Senior Center reported expanded programming and partnerships at the Jan. 6 Mayor and Council meeting. Senior Center Coordinator Anne Foster said programs implemented April–December 2024 increased participation, added wellness and mental-health support, and leveraged community partnerships to provide meals, education and transportation planning.

Foster told the council the center now offers chair exercises on Tuesdays and Thursdays; a nutrition-education program that ran weekly from June through August (ending when outside funding ran out); monthly “boot camps” and healthy-food demonstrations with Community Healthcare; mental-health breakfasts and workshops on grief, social isolation and dementia; and social activities including an arts-and-crafts program and larger trips for legacy residents, including a bus trip to Montgomery that had nearly full capacity.

Foster said the center partnered with Clayton County Health District for hands-only CPR training that certified 25 participating legacy residents; with Clayton County Senior Services for therapeutic arts; with Chick-fil-A (Eric Stallings) for monthly birthday celebrations; and with a Medicare Fraud Patrol and the state insurance program to run fraud-avoidance workshops for older residents. Foster said the center’s digital-equity program expanded to about 10 participating legacy residents and that a van to support transportation has been ordered.

Foster described planned offerings for 2025 including tai chi classes (she said she recently completed instructor certification), continued partnerships with regional providers and increased outreach to bring more residents to programs. Council members thanked Foster for what several called a transformation of center engagement. Councilmember Gutierrez said he could “see it every time I talk to those seniors.” Councilmember Akins Wells and Councilman Mears also offered praise during the meeting.

Foster reported one resident, Virginia Wise, received a national acknowledgement: a lifetime achievement award from the president’s office, which Foster said was a recognition for the resident’s community involvement. Foster also noted the center’s nutrition program distributed fresh produce to participants while funding lasted and described ongoing efforts to secure additional meal program opportunities through the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Council members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the presentation; Foster invited council members to visit programs and flagged transportation as a priority moving forward.