Senior Center Highlight: Living Well United Senior Center in Leroy, IL!
Designed by Seniors and RUN by Seniors!
When Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging started its campaign to create a senior center for Peoria residents, the Association of Illinois Senior Centers President referred us to Barb Whiteman from Leroy, Illinois. With a group of avid supporters, these residents have created their own senior center that is thriving and enriching the lives of older adults for miles around! Marissa Jones, the author of this article and administrator, describes the history and far-reaching impact this center is having for otherwise isolated rural older adults! Be encouraged and get excited for what we can create for Peoria!!
Our Mission
Living Well United provides an inviting, supportive atmosphere in a facility where seniors gather to build strong relationships and keep their minds and bodies in the best shape possible to age successfully and give back to the rural communities in which they live.
About Living Well United
Living Well United is designed to be for seniors and run by seniors! We believe that keeping seniors engaged in our communities benefits everyone. Our seniors do community projects that use their time, talent, work experience, education, and wisdom which in turn reduces their feelings of loneliness and isolation. We have a passion for bringing services to seniors! Because we are bringing needed resources to rural seniors, they can stay in the best mental and physical shape possible so they can safely remain in their own homes in our rural communities-which truly is their heart’s desire.
Living Well United History
Barb Whiteman recognized that eastern McLean County rural communities needed organized resources/activities/education and exercise for older adults. Barb became a volunteer senior fitness instructor in 2015 at the local gym. She started hosting events for seniors in restaurants, the bank basement, churches, and wherever she could find a space. But she felt the rural seniors needed more. She applied to become a nonprofit and Living Well United (LWU) was born in 2018. For two years Barb searched for a building. She persistently called and emailed Casey's requesting they donate the closed convenience store. And they gave it to her! In January 2020, she led a group of senior volunteers in renovating the store to bring it up to code. Living Well opened its doors in July of 2020! Our main goal is to serve eastern McLean County, LeRoy, Saybrook, Ellsworth, Bellflower and Arrowsmith! Living Well United is fully funded by fundraisers, donations, and grants! We hired our first employee, our Director, in October of 2022 through a grant we received.
Programing
Exercise Classes
Technology Classes- including how to use iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Facebook, and Computers
Crafting, Quilting & Sewing Groups & Classes
Bingo, Euchre & Canasta Groups
Financial & Future Planning Education
Group Meals & Monthly Food Pantry
Outings in Our 12 Passenger Van
Music Entertainment
Pie/Scones/Cookie Baking Classes
Community Care Specialists- Offering endless resources to our rural seniors
Local History Presentations
Dog Training Classes
Community Service Projects
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Testimonials
I have been going to LWU Senior Center since it opened July, 2020. Being 84, the Center has kept me motivated to get out of the house and keep physically active and laughing. The presentations cover so many areas, health, financial, pre-funeral planning, fraud and scams, history, and crafting, etc. The Center is a great place to meet new people, socialize, join in fun activities, cards, and bingo and to volunteer.
One of the benefits of the senior center is the ability to interact with one another. I feel isolation, is one of the problems seniors encounter and the center gives them the opportunity to get out and mingle with their peers!!