About the Center

Mission

The mission of the Senior Center is to enrich the lives of residents in the community as they age by designing support networks, identifying and meeting their needs and interests, and providing services and programs in welcoming, respectful and safe environments. The staff, services, activities, transportation program, meals and Center facility are supported by the towns of Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne with additional funding provided by LifePath, the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs, Franklin Regional Transit Authority, local and state Cultural Councils, The Senior Center Foundation and private donors.

Our Services

The Senior Center provides a variety of programs and services, including educational, cultural and wellness programs, presentations and activities, both at the Center and by means of outreach to our consortium towns. Transportation is available for all nine West County towns. The Center is conveniently located in downtown Shelburne Falls on the first floor of the Masonic Lodge. The Center has a dining room and kitchen, used for meals and for our larger activities and social gatherings. The smaller activity room is used for crafts, yoga, health and Veterans services, as well as a computer lab and classroom with free WiFi.

In 2019 The Senior Center served more than 1,000 people who used its programs and services over 28,000 times. This includes over 1,700 meals served, 3,200 wellness programs attended, 600 health and 1,500 outreach services provided, 75 home repair jobs completed, 4,800 newsletters distributed and over 4,400 social and cultural programs attended … all while answering the phone 3,800 times! That same year, using the Center’s three vans, over 3,300 rides were provided to medical appointments, for food shopping and social activities at the Center.

All of this happens in our Center because of dedicated staff and over 100 amazing volunteers who answer phones, prepare and serve meals, lead classes and activities, conduct home repairs and offer many other services amounting to over 15,000 volunteer hours. But the best part is seeing a smile come to someone’s face and new friendships made, hearing a laugh shared, a caring hug given and people heading home having enjoyed a delicious hot meal.

Senior Center Staff

Juli Moreno, Director
Teddy Doucette, Outreach Coordinator
Dot Lyman, Activities Coordinator
Robert Szafran, Transportation Coordinator/Van Driver
Hugh Knox, Meal Site Manager
Gloria Fisher, Office Assistant
Paul LaBelle, Van Driver
Michael Shea, Van Driver
Peter Otten, Van Driver

We are also assisted by over 100 volunteers! Please click here for information about volunteer opportunities.

Senior Center Board of Directors

The Senior Center Board of Directors is comprised of twelve members drawn from the Councils on Aging from each of the three towns: Ashfield, Buckland and Shelburne. Each member serves a three year term. The Board meets at The Senior Center on the second Thursday of each month at 3:00 P.M.