Enrichment Services offer community, meals, fun for seniors

NORWALK — Norwalk's aging senior service centers could be getting a much-needed replacement. The Enrichment Centers for Huron County, which offers a variety of programs for those age 60 and up, has a Norwalk center at 130 Shady Lane Drive and another at 315 E. Tiffin St. in Willard. Enrichment Center leadership and the county's commissioners are in talks to replace the Norwalk facility. The centers had closed to the public during the pandemic but reopened last June. Director Steve Beal said the Willard center is in great condition, the Norwalk building "has served its purpose." Beal said the Norwalk building was built before 1900. The building is owned by the county and rented out to the services for the aging. "The building right now is very separated, everything is kind of spread out," Beal said. "It's a very old building." Huron County commissioner Harry Brady said building a new center will bring more seniors out to take advantage of the center and its programs. "We thought it would be a good idea to construct a new building that the county would make it affordable for Enrichment Services to move into something new, allowing them to furnish it as they want," Brady said. "It's going to be for all the seniors in the county. It will help for us to put something out there that people will feel comfortable and safe coming into." Brady said Enrichment Services offers the opportunity for senior residents to gather and socialize, something that can be more difficult for those without family. "If you don't have any interaction, it can lead to depression and we want to give seniors somewhere they can go," Brady said. The commissioners are hoping to use funds the county received through the American Rescue Plan Act. "We'd like to have space for meeting rooms, offices, and an open congregate area to serve meals," Beal said. "We need space for crafts. We'd like to have an area very accessible for those coming in for trips." Beal said he would also like the new building to all be one floor and have more accessible entrances than the current building. "Having better handicap access for seniors makes a lot of sense," he said. "They're also excited about the new building and a lot of them are just in disbelief. They think it's amazing." Every day, about 300 meals are delivered to senior residents throughout the county through its meal program and deliver meals to residents of Norwalk with Meals on Wheels. Congregated meals are also offered each day at both centers. "They are able to come in and socialize which is a big deal for the seniors," Beal said. Enrichment Services also operates Huron County Transit, a transportation service for all residents of the county, and Senior Express, transportation for senior county residents. "With the transit, we so we take people to work, wherever they need to go," Beal said. "People can call in and get a reservation and that also runs out of the county on certain days." Beal said the funding for the transportation service comes from the Ohio Department of Transportation. The Norwalk center also houses aging social services, who help people sign up for Medicare, and Adventures Travel Club. Since the pandemic, the travel club has been making trips to plays in Cleveland, baseball games and is planning a trip to a casino. At both locations, craft programs and art classes are offered, along with wellness and fitness classes. Beal said a popular activity with the seniors is Wii bowling, playing cards and bingo. Enrichment Services also operates Age Exchange, a mentor program for elementary school students to spend time with senior citizens. The program operates twice a week at both locations, with second and third-grade students from Willard and Norwalk. Students can get help with homework, work on art projects and participate in group activities. "Age Exchange is a big favorite of everybody. We have senior citizens who are paired up with the students to mentor them," Beal said. "They have a lot of fun and the kids love the program." Many of the programs are supported with donations, Beal said, and with other partnerships, like with the United Fund and the Huron County Mental Health and Addiction Services board. The county aging services are also supported by two levies for operational costs. "We serve a lot of people who are homebound, by bringing them meals and taking them to appointments," Beal said. "The people in Huron County have a big heart for senior citizens." Beal said the center has "regulars" that come daily for meals, playing cards and socializing. "We haven't hit the same numbers since before COVID, but since reopening, the numbers are continuously and steadily growing," Beal said. "This is a place for people to have somewhere to socialize, where they can come in and be with friends."