Getting Started

Senior Services Center of the Chathams.

Who are we?  That’s a good question.  If you haven’t heard of us, we are an independent, grassroots nonprofit.  And as such, we have to raise the funds to meet our modest budget.  The money comes from numerous sources.  The towns of Chatham and Chatham Township provide about 20% of our operating budget and the rest comes from grants, individuals, local organizations and businesses.  Our mission is to keep seniors actively involved and engaged in the community.

Numerous people were involved in our humble beginnings, but two in particular played a large role:  Alice Lundt and Theresa Berry.  Terry saw the benefits her mother was getting from participating in a senior center in New York State and thought Chatham’s older population could benefit from having special services and programs.  She started pulling people together to discuss the needs and benefits of the Chathams.  Alice was town administrator for Chatham Township at the time, and when the municipal offices moved to the building on Meyersville Rd in 1990, she offered space, free of charge, to Senior Services which had grown from a committee of the Interfaith Council of Churches into an independent nonprofit.

Today Senior Services provides programs to ease the challenges of aging and runs the senior center, which last year welcomed 9,000 visits from area seniors; a transportation service for those that don’t drive; support and friendship groups and information and referral services on a variety of geriatric issues.  You don’t have to live in Chatham to come to the senior center, although the vast majority are residents or the family members of residents.  Visiting relatives are welcome to come to activities at the senior center, too.

In September, a month that is known as Healthy Aging Month, we are hosting OPEN HOUSE activities all month.  Thanks to support and sponsorship by TD Bank most of our activities are free of charge during this month.  We have Bridge, Pinochle, Canasta, Mah Jongg and Scrabble if you like games. Others might prefer our book club, charity knitting group, art classes or weekly movies.  Get healthy with our nutrition series or any of our three exercise classes:  T’ai Chi, Tone and Flex, or Yoga. We encourage and challenge you to broaden your horizons, meet someone new, try a new activity or just take a tour.  Everyone is welcome!

Additional information about us can be found at our website at www.chathamseniorcenter.org or like us on Facebook.