Collinsville Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on June 6.
April Hausman took over the reigns as Collinsville Township Senior Center director on May 21, and her vision for the 8,160 sq. ft building is already taking shape.
On the list for upcoming weeks: informational seminars on Medicare enrollment and Land of Lincoln Legal Services, chair exercise and art classes. Another possibility she is considering is to designate the center a SHIP site, or Senior Health Insurance Program, a free statewide health insurance counseling service for Medicare benefits.
Introductory meetings,”Donuts with the Director” are scheduled on June 11 and 23 from 8:30 – 10 a.m. that will allow the community to meet Hausman, hear about her ideas and make suggestions for future activities and programs.
“This is such a great space,” she said. “It’s always a challenge rattling the status quo. (The center) was a certain way for a long time and change is never easy – even good change.”
Her devotion to seniors and senior programs took shape when she missed a relationship with her grandparents growing up.
“My dad was in the military and growing up, I had no relationship with my grandparents,” she said. “I missed that connection with the older generation.”
She previously worked more than six years at Senior Services Plus in Alton, a non-profit agency, focusing on Medicare insurance plans as a certified SHIP Counselor.
Hausman earned a degree in exercise science and has been certified through the Arthritis Foundation, Silver Sneakers, Zumba Gold and AFAA.
“The chair exercise program is for beginners,” she said about the new exercise program offered on Friday mornings at 10 a.m. “But it can be modified for more fit individuals as well.”
The Collinsville resident moved here with her husband, Freddie, in August and their family includes two children and two step-children, a grandson and another grandchild on the way.
“I feel like we fit here with our family,” she said. “Collinsville is home and I look forward to making a difference in the community.”
The Collinsville Township Senior Center, located at 420 E. Main, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Breakfast is served on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Space is available for rental. Please visit www.collinsvilletownship.org for more information.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Collinsville Chamber of Commerce