Miller Senior Citizens Center: An excellent resource for Central Illinois in Pekin Illinois
MILLER SENIOR CENTER of PEKIN, ILLINOIS
by Alisha Devault, Administrator
Miller Center has been serving the 50+ community for over 40 years! Pekin is currently a town of 33,000 people with 36% of the population over the age of 50. Miller Center is part of the Pekin Park District and offers over 60 programs, activities, and services. On average we see 1500 people in a month’s time, not including transportation, which we give an average of 575 rides monthly. – like taking people to the doctors, dialysis, therapy, specialists in Peoria, grocery beauty shop…
What really showcases the Miller Center are the PEOPLE who come… and their stories.
Pat was a full-time caregiver to her husband. He eventually needed more care and moved into a nursing home. Since she had more time, she decided to try Annie’s Exercise class. Not long after starting Miller Center, her husband passed away. Pat leaned on her Miller Center friends through her grief. She continued attending exercise classes regularly and started volunteering and attending more and more activities. Today Pat is so involved! She is one of my part-time receptionists working the front desk 4 days a week. She is still exercising and stays busy at the Miller Center with her core group of friends dining out and enjoying life together. Pat says this about the Miller Center, “I don’t know what I would do without the Miller Center. I have made so many friends. I just love it here. We have such a good time.”
After losing a loved one your world shakes up and you have to land somewhere. It’s scary walking into a new place, but we have so many stories like Pat’s where people have found new connections at the Miller Center.
In many ways, Miller Center has become a Lifeline for people. Of course, we are all creatures of habit, so when a regular participant doesn’t show up for a few days, we are calling … or literally knocking on the door to make sure that everything is okay. This is not only for those who walk through the door but also for our riders using the transportation service. In fact, one lady had been using our service to do regular grocery shopping. (and a sidenote: Our drivers get to know the riders well) After passing by her house one day, a driver noticed that her garage door was up, which was not normal. (and all family lives out of town) She wasn’t answering her phone, so we called her emergency contact, who had found her on the floor because she had fallen. Luckily, she was okay, but who knows how long she could have laid there. Miller Center is often like family where we are looking out for each other.
These are just a couple of examples of how impactful Miller Center is to the community. We are so much more than a drop-in center… We are connections – education – resources and referral – support … We are a place where you can ENJOY YOUR AGE by aging gracefully TOGETHER! And we hope one day very soon Peoria can have your own Miller Center.
From Peggy Jacques, Executive Director
Our work at Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging is to have some of the same options for our adults 50+. We may not be able to offer all that the Miller Center offers, but a few to start. Graceland wants to be a center where adults 50+ can come and feel safe. Meet your friends here and make new friends. We want to be a safe place so your loved ones will feel safe that you are with us.
We have officially launched our satellite programs in various locations throughout the City of Peoria. We want to meet you where you are – come to your neighborhood so to speak. We will be having weekly programs at the Life Together Center as a stationary, central location. We welcome you to come to our programs every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Even if you are not able to stay until 1 p.m., that is fine! Come meet us as we get to know you and what you want to see in a senior center.
Follow us on our Facebook Page or our website for dates, times, and events. We invite you to be involved with Graceland by being a volunteer or a board member. You are important and vital to us and the community!