The Oswego Senior Center began in 2002 when a Senior Advisory Committee met under the auspices of the village government of Oswego. It then became the Village Commission and began to serve meals at Good Shepherd Church with congregate meal funding. In 2009 the group moved into the large space on Washington Street that the Oswego School District rented to them.
What a tremendous growth they experienced in that space! With additional grant-funding, many classes and activities took place. The computer lab, line dancing, lunch and learn, health fairs, Medicare Forums, travel trips, garage sales, craft bazaars, ceramics classes, and the chili cook-off were just a few of those offerings.
Membership swelled to 1,400 seniors in 2019 with 29,000 contacts. It was a usual lunch day when 60 to 90 enjoyed the $5 lunches and the conversations they loved. In 2019 the craft fair had 65 vendors with 90 booths and more than 500 individuals stopped for the bake sale and for shopping the booths.
Panera’s donated one-day old bakery goods each Thursday for the seniors to enjoy. The Center planned two trips a month around the Midwest, but as far as a train excursion to California. One especially enjoyable trip was to the Albanesc Confectionery in Merrillville, Ind.. The group was each given a big bag of candy to take home!
Other supporters have included the village government of Oswego, the Kendall County Senior Tax Levy, Rush Copley Medical Center, Oswego Township, Exp Realty-Kerns Team, Attorney Meghan Nemiroff, Asbury Gardens, Cedarhurst Senior Living, Heritage Woods of Yorkville, and many other donations and fundraisers.
The Oswego Senior Center is a 501©3 non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
I met with Diane Beukelman, outreach coordinator, at its new location 84 Templeton Drive, Suite 104 which is just past Advocate Dreyer’s Oswego location.
Well, here the story changes!
Activities and classes were halted March 12, due to COVID-19. The Oswego School District needed the Washington Street space for classes so a new location was needed and fast. Board president Wally Hamlin told me that this “has been a very challenging and rewarding time. How we serve our seniors has changed. We currently have virtual services and outdoor events. The board recently held their retreat and adopted a three-year vision plan to either build or look for a big enough space to begin the luncheons again.” He noted that the larger space gave opportunities for seniors and especially for those who are socially-isolated to join together and enjoy a meal with companionship.
The Center has been a partner with Kendall County Food Pantry to home-deliver to seniors pre-boxed groceries from the Illinois Food Bank. Call the Center at 630-554-5602 for delivery or curbside pick-up. Senior Services Resources at Beecher Center, Yorkville offers individual assistance and services including home delivered meals for seniors age 60 or better. Call 630-553-5777 for information.
The Center’s Senior Singers have given concerts in the park at Austin Park, Montgomery. The Park is at 1345 S. Broadway (Rt. 25). The group is composed of seniors and has entertained many times at the previous location. It is just one more way the Oswego Senior Center is making life better for seniors!