Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senior programs expand as coordinators seek more transport and grants
Summary
Senior coordinator Sonya Davenport described expanded senior programming, congregate meals, partnerships for art and emotional wellness, and a pressing need for reliable transportation for older residents.
Highland Park—s senior services director outlined the department—s year of programming and identified reliable transportation as the top unmet need for older residents.
Sonya Davenport, senior coordinator, said the city partnered with local centers (including the Hannan Center) to provide three weekly sessions of chair exercise, art therapy and virtual learning for seniors; the program feeds 10–20 seniors daily through congregate meals and allows participants to take food home in personal containers. Davenport said the department partnered with Michigan State—s My Home grama program to secure 20 grants that funded home repairs such as roofing, porches and weatherization for qualifying seniors.
Davenport said the department offers pickleball, digital‑literacy sessions (in partnership with local centers to teach use of cellphones and tablets), and plans a health and wellness fair with WellCare and a dedicated medical center in early spring 2026. She emphasized transportation is a top challenge: SMART buses provide some service within Highland Park and to nearby suburbs but do not reach Detroit destinations many seniors need.
Next steps: The senior department will pursue additional grants and partnerships to scale services and recommended residents contact the department for volunteer or donation opportunities.
