Mesa
Arizona
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East Valley Senior Services
Mission
East Valley Senior Services, Inc. provides comprehensive programs and services to enhance dignity and promote independence of adults 50 years and better.
History
East Valley Senior Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1979, as a 501©3 nonprofit organization, and opened its first Senior Center in 1980 at the corner of University and Center. This facility was built by the City of Mesa and was approximately 16,000 square feet. Over the next five years it became evident that the space was not adequate for the numbers of persons attending and the number of programs that needed to be offered.
At the same time an East Mesa branch was opened first in a lodge hall and later moved to a store front on Main Street. These facilities were considered temporary and did not have adequate space for the numbers of persons that wanted to attend. The fast expansion of the City of Mesa into this area showed a definite need for a full scale facility, but it would be almost fifteen years before that vision would be realized.
By 1985 it became evident that a new downtown location was required due to expansion needs of East Valley Senior Services, Inc. and the City of Mesa. The City decided to build a new facility 2 blocks away at 247 N. Macdonald. In August 1987 the Mesa Senior Center was completed and opened; it was 32,000 square feet and was immediately deemed a model facility. The East Mesa Center also needed new quarters and in 1988 the City and County combined to erect a temporary structure at 7620 East Brown Road.
In 1988 a bond was passed by the residents of Mesa to construct a permanent facility for what was now called Red Mountain Senior Center. In the early 1990’s it became evident that the bonds would not be sold for a period of time due to economic conditions. In 1993 the modular facility was expanded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grants from the City and County. The expansion included 4 classrooms which allowed for a balanced program to be developed.
The organization continued to grow in terms of numbers of persons attending the senior centers and types of community in-home services provided. It was during this time frame that home delivered meals began to become a major component of the community services.
In 1994 East Valley Senior Services, Inc. passed a resolution to become a partner in a senior housing tax credit project. This led to a partnership to construct a 183 unit apartment complex called Discovery Point which remains a unique component in the senior housing arena.
In 1996 Mesa Senior Services, Inc. was requested to take over the management of the Apache Junction Senior Center by the Area Agency on Aging, Region V. The schedule was increased from four to five days a week and new programs and services were started. In 2000 the City of Apache Junction voted to build a Multigenerational Center to house a permanent senior center. Construction began in January 2004 and the facility was opened in September 2005.
In 1997 construction began on the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center that would provide a permanent home for Red Mountain Senior Center. The facility officially opened in March 1999 with a full fitness component that was managed by the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Division. This new facility was 65,000 square feet and offered significantly more space and visibility than the previous location. The numbers of persons that attended and received services significantly grew and it has maintained a high level of participation.
Over the last ten years outreach and community based services have continued to grow and the Community Services division of the organization now includes: Outreach, Home Delivered Meals, Transportation, Caring Corps and East Valley RSVP.
In 2004 the City of Mesa with CDBG funds purchased a building to the north of the Mesa Senior Center to house the East Valley Senior Services, Inc. Administration. Growth of the organization was the overriding factor to establish adequate space to continue providing quality services to older adults throughout the community. East Valley Senior Services, Inc. Administration officially opened at 45 W. University on November 15, 2004. In 2006, again with CDBG funding, the Mesa Senior Center was expanded to include a fitness room which was opened in September 2006.
East Valley Senior Services, Inc. provides comprehensive programs and services to enhance dignity and promote independence of adults 50 years and better.
History
East Valley Senior Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1979, as a 501©3 nonprofit organization, and opened its first Senior Center in 1980 at the corner of University and Center. This facility was built by the City of Mesa and was approximately 16,000 square feet. Over the next five years it became evident that the space was not adequate for the numbers of persons attending and the number of programs that needed to be offered.
At the same time an East Mesa branch was opened first in a lodge hall and later moved to a store front on Main Street. These facilities were considered temporary and did not have adequate space for the numbers of persons that wanted to attend. The fast expansion of the City of Mesa into this area showed a definite need for a full scale facility, but it would be almost fifteen years before that vision would be realized.
By 1985 it became evident that a new downtown location was required due to expansion needs of East Valley Senior Services, Inc. and the City of Mesa. The City decided to build a new facility 2 blocks away at 247 N. Macdonald. In August 1987 the Mesa Senior Center was completed and opened; it was 32,000 square feet and was immediately deemed a model facility. The East Mesa Center also needed new quarters and in 1988 the City and County combined to erect a temporary structure at 7620 East Brown Road.
In 1988 a bond was passed by the residents of Mesa to construct a permanent facility for what was now called Red Mountain Senior Center. In the early 1990’s it became evident that the bonds would not be sold for a period of time due to economic conditions. In 1993 the modular facility was expanded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grants from the City and County. The expansion included 4 classrooms which allowed for a balanced program to be developed.
The organization continued to grow in terms of numbers of persons attending the senior centers and types of community in-home services provided. It was during this time frame that home delivered meals began to become a major component of the community services.
In 1994 East Valley Senior Services, Inc. passed a resolution to become a partner in a senior housing tax credit project. This led to a partnership to construct a 183 unit apartment complex called Discovery Point which remains a unique component in the senior housing arena.
In 1996 Mesa Senior Services, Inc. was requested to take over the management of the Apache Junction Senior Center by the Area Agency on Aging, Region V. The schedule was increased from four to five days a week and new programs and services were started. In 2000 the City of Apache Junction voted to build a Multigenerational Center to house a permanent senior center. Construction began in January 2004 and the facility was opened in September 2005.
In 1997 construction began on the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center that would provide a permanent home for Red Mountain Senior Center. The facility officially opened in March 1999 with a full fitness component that was managed by the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Division. This new facility was 65,000 square feet and offered significantly more space and visibility than the previous location. The numbers of persons that attended and received services significantly grew and it has maintained a high level of participation.
Over the last ten years outreach and community based services have continued to grow and the Community Services division of the organization now includes: Outreach, Home Delivered Meals, Transportation, Caring Corps and East Valley RSVP.
In 2004 the City of Mesa with CDBG funds purchased a building to the north of the Mesa Senior Center to house the East Valley Senior Services, Inc. Administration. Growth of the organization was the overriding factor to establish adequate space to continue providing quality services to older adults throughout the community. East Valley Senior Services, Inc. Administration officially opened at 45 W. University on November 15, 2004. In 2006, again with CDBG funding, the Mesa Senior Center was expanded to include a fitness room which was opened in September 2006.