Senior Center Best Practices

Workshops and
Events Calendar
Updated 12-19-2011

Managers, Directors and Center Personnel

Senior Center Best Practices

Category
Other

Senior Center/Nutrition Program/Organization Name
Kingston Senior Center

Address
680 Wyoming Ave., Kingston PA 18704

Phone Number
570-654-7072

E-Mail
jspindler@aging.luzerne-wyoming.org

Contact Person
Jean Spindler, Ast. Director

Event Name
gospel/folk group

Description/Overview
A group of 10 women and assistant director formed a gospel-folk group. The gospel-folk group consists of people who want to take singing seriously and progressively bring it to another level. The group brought together commitment & creativity with an outlook of self-satisfaction and entertainment.

Time and Manpower
The planning started with word of mouth, advertising, followed with a sign-up sheet for those interested. There is only one paid staff member, assistant director, needed to plan, prepare and implement the activity. The group practices for an hour once a week. They select music as a group and are asked to present any ideas or creative ideas in performing the music. On April 29, 2010 the group was selected in the finals of "Seniors Got Talent" sponsored by the Hospice Community Care, HCC Home Health and Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre, PA. They chose the gospel side of the group and entered as the Gospelettes. They practiced 3 times a week for three months to prepare for the talent show.

Marketing
When the group was forming initially, it was advertised in the papers and on the large windows of the Kingston Senior Center specifying anyone 60 and over that loved to sing can join the gospel-folk group. The newspapers interviewed the ladies before the talent show.

Audience Served
The group entertains the seniors at the Kingston Senior Center and are making a schedule to entertain at local nursing homes and off-site venues.

Partnerships Utilized
Partnering with Hospice Community Care, HCC Home Health and Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre, PA was a win-win situation for all concerned as it raised funds for their organizations and gave our group the opportunity to win $1,000. Through the partnering the Gospelettes developed recognition within the Kingston Senior Center, Bureau of the Aging and the sponsors of the "Seniors Got Talent" show. Developing a rapport with these organizations can draw in other organizations connected to these sponsors. We may be able to be part of other fundraisers for other organizations, or just entertain. In turn they could provide services which are specifically related to their organizations. Some of the sites that may be partnered would be Kingston Commons, River Street Manor and Valley Crest all in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Wesley Village in Pittston, PA is also possible. We can also partner with our own senior centers within the Bureau of the Aging by offering our entertainment as a fundraiser for their center with a percentage going to the Kingston Senior Center. Other facilities may do the same.

Budget/Costs
Thus far, no budget.

Impact On Center
The group brings entertainment and just a good feeling to the hearts and souls of the seniors at the center through their music.

Good Tips/Other
Always make everyone in the group feel they are equal and special in their abilities and creativity within the group. When music is presented to the group that is not exactly the type of music the group represents whether gospel or folk, they are told that maybe it can be used on another occasion.