The Fuquay-Varina Active Adult Task Force is a group of adults aged 50 and over who are advocating for the creation of a multi-purpose senior center in Fuquay-Varina. Their goals are to educate the community about senior needs, to illustrate the current resources available, and to describe how a center can meet the needs of seniors and their families.
The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services defines a Senior Center as a facility that provides older adults with services and activities that respond to their needs. Senior Centers provide resources for an entire community, including services and information on aging and assistance for family and friends who care for older adults.
Today, in addition to providing socialization and recreation programs, Senior Centers, or “Active Adult” centers provide a wide range of fitness programs, volunteer opportunities, technical classes, support groups, health and wellness education, etc. Many centers have partnerships with other organizations to provide outreach, nutrition, legal aid, wellness services, etc. Thus, the Senior Centers become a community’s “focal point”, not only for services and programs for older adults but also for their families who seek information and support for aging family members.
With these senior concerns in mind, the Fuquay-Varina Active Adult Task Force wants and needs your support. One of the task force leaders is Steve White, a Fuquay-Varina resident who is a retired recreation program director with expertise in senior programing. Steve was significantly involved in the planning of the Five Point Center for Active Adults and the Anne Gordan Center for Active Adults, both located in Raleigh. He is also involved with the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Senior Services Council. The Senior Services Council sponsors the annual Senior Expo in Fuquay-Varina. The Active Adult Task Force group works with the Council at the registration table where the volunteers greet participants, give directions, distribute materials and share information about the Task Force. The next Senior Expo is scheduled for May 2, 2018.
The Task Force has also provided ideas for seniors to the Fuquay-Varina Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource programs. They have asked that these senior programs be listed in a separate brochure which task force members distribute to locations throughout the town.
The FV Active Adult Task Force makes presentations to educate local groups and promote their mission. Presentations have been made at churches, book clubs, civic group, etc., such as the American Legion Auxiliary, St. Bernadette’s Silver and Gold Seniors Club, and Rotary Club. Last fall, Task Force members set up an information table at the O2 Fitness Center in Fuquay-Varina. (For information about scheduling a presentation for your civic club, book club, HOA or other group, see the contact information at the end of this article.)
Members– often in their aqua shirts–may sometimes be seen at civic meetings and volunteering at community events, such as the BBQ, Blues, and Brews Festival and Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Chili Cookoff, to promote visibility for their cause.
The Task Force has organized informative tours to existing Senior Centers. Senior Centers in Wake County include two in Raleigh, as well as ones in Garner, Cary, Wake Forest, Wendell, and soon to be in Apex.
The Fuquay-Varina Active Adult Task Force meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 12 noon at the Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church on Judd Parkway. Anyone interested in learning about their advocacy efforts are invited to attend. For more information or to be included on the task force email distribution list, send an email to fuquayseniors@gmail.com (Note: Your contact information remains confidential, and the list is not shared with external vendors or organizations.)
