Norfolk Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

About Norfolk Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

The Norfolk Senior Citizens Center started with social activities in a vacant store at 715 Norfolk Avenue. Planning for a new building began in January of 1977 when the Norfolk Community Improvement Council met with representatives of Norfolk organizations. In February 1970 Norfolk Community Concern sponsored a meal for Norfolk “golden agers” to interest Senior Citizens in a congregate meal program. Later that year the program began at the United Methodist Church and then moved to the Norfolk Regional Center grounds. The Center incorporated as a non-profit organization on February 9, 1980 with the purpose listed as follows: The purpose of the Corporation shall be to cultivate friendship; develop common interests; and promote shared social, educational, and recreation projects. At that time a $350,000 Housing and Urban Development grant was announced for the development of a new center. July 15, 1981 was the ground breaking for the new site at 307 Prospect avenue and construction began that fall. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building was on Monday June 14, 1982. The center has a large main room where congregate meals are served. The room, complete with a stage for performances can be divided to provide for various meeting rooms. The center also has a kitchen, a crafts area, a pool room, a hobby room, office space, and a gift shop where crafts made by the seniors can be sold. The center is operated by an Executive Director under the supervision of a Board of Directors consisting of up to 12 members. Each director is elected for three year overlapping terms. The center is partially funded through the Northeast Nebraska Area on Aging office according to a formula based on meal count. The balance of the operating expenses come from contributions, interest from a Foundation Fund and many fund raisers held each month.