Aging Ahead will reopen a senior center in Arnold, more than four years after the agency closed the one that used to operate in the city.
The senior center will be in a room just inside the main entrance of Jefferson College’s Arnold campus building, 1687 Missouri State Road.
Aging Ahead will hold an open house from 12:30-2:15 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, in that room.
Free box lunches will be served to those 60 and older who have signed up for the meal on the Arnold location page on the Aging Ahead website, agingahead.org.
People may also sign up for a lunch by calling 314-413-1240.
Aging Ahead provides supportive services for those 60 and older who live in Jefferson, Franklin, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.
“We are excited to be back in Arnold,” said Emily Harrow, Aging Ahead supervisor of community programs.
Aging Ahead previously operated a senior center in the Arnold Recreation Center, but it closed in March 2020 shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our agency was very cautious in opening to make sure our clients were safe,” Harrow said.
Harrow said it took a while to reopen in Arnold because Aging Ahead needed to line up staff for the center and work out arrangements with Jefferson College to use space at its Arnold campus.
“Now we have an amazing staff ready to go,” she said. “We have a great partnership with Jefferson College, and we are excited to be there.”
Harrow said the Arnold senior center will be open from 12:15-2:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
She said those 60 and older may register to eat lunch at the senior center, but they need to register three business days before each lunch.
Aging Ahead does not charge those who are 60 or older for meals, but the organization suggests those who eat donate $5 per meal. Those younger than 60 may purchase a lunch at the center for $10, Harrow said.
She also said those who come to the center may participate in various programs on Mondays and Wednesdays.
She said the center may hold presentations and activities, such as playing board games, making crafts and participating in exercise programs.
“Jessica Brownlie, the resource center assistant, will gauge what the community wants to do,” Harrow said. “If they are a crafty bunch, then that is what we will do. If they are active and want to exercise, we will do that. We may do a mixture of both, depending on what people want. There will be a variety of activities.”
Harrow said Aging Ahead social workers also will be at the center to help people register for services the organization offers, such as Meals on Wheels, caregiver support and legal services.
She also said if someone needs assistance that Aging Ahead does not provide, the social workers will help connect people to organizations that may be able to provide services.
“We like to be physically in communities to connect with people,” she said.
Aging Ahead has three other locations in Jefferson County.
■ De Soto, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 221 S. Third St.
■ House Springs, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 6180 Hwy. MM.
■ Quad-Cities, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 221 Bailey Road, in Crystal City.