Messiah, Chester’s Senior Resource Center celebrates 25 years of service

Scripture reminds us in Leviticus 19:32: Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.

Churches and faith-groups have always played a vital role in caring for the elderly. Scripture calls us to honor and care for those who are aging, upholding their dignity. Spanning over 25 years, the Senior Resource Center of New Jersey, which operates out of The Church of the Messiah in Chester, continues to address this need by touching the lives of hundreds annually across the region.

The SRC has its roots as part of a missional outreach program of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. In 2000, the non-profit Messiah Community Resource Corporation was established. The initial founders, as guided by research from Rutgers University, saw the need for wellness programs and informational resources for Seniors and their caregivers in the region of western Morris County. As community ties grew, by 2007 MCRC was renamed the Senior Resource Center of New Jersey to reflect its regional membership.

SRC NJ was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2019, however its history is much more extensive spanning over 25 years. SRC NJ extends its gratitude to the Diocese of Newark for its generous donations through ACTS/VIM grants, Alleluia funds, and the Commission on Aging David Hegg II Evensong offerings as well as the contributions the gifts of hospitality and volunteer service from The Church of The Messiah and additional generous grant funding from St Peters Essex Fells.

SRC Programs & Services

Today, SRC continues to serve hundreds of Seniors 55+ and their caregivers across 4 counties in North Central New Jersey. Post-COVID, SRC has further expanded to a vibrant community organization serving over 6,800 participants annually.

Current offerings include 9 wellness and fitness classes weekly, a weekly walking club, music programs, a quilting class, specialty classes, Lunch-N-Learn programs at 4 separate locations, and monthly educational coffee hours. Several programs are co-located in nearby towns. Monthly newsletters and weekly announcements share timely educational topics.

SRC members benefit from connections to AARP, United Way Caring for Caregivers (United Way 211), Care2Caregivers, Atlantic Health Care, and county, regional and state resources as well as advocacy groups.

SRC currently operates with a part-time Program Director and 7 part-time course instructors. SRC benefits from the contribution of over 4,000 volunteer hours annually.

Mission Statement and Impact

The SRC revised its mission statement this year to reflect the importance of its services:

Bringing seniors, their families and caregivers in our communities together for physical activity, mental stimulation, camaraderie, and fun, while providing timely and important information related to issues surrounding aging.

The benefit that SRC provides for families is shared in the testimony of Jill Latterman, daughter of SRC attendee John Gorman (92):

When John was in his upper 80’s, had lost his wife, and things began to get too hard for him, he and his family made the decision to move him in with his daughter in Chester, two hours away from where he was living. John had a community there, and it was difficult to leave, but he knew he needed more help. His daughter knew it would be important for John, mentally and emotionally, to get him connected and involved in his new community. She learned about the Senior Resource Center (SRC) and thought it would be a great place to start helping him build his new life. Since he wasn’t driving anymore, she began bringing him to their Chair Yoga and Balance & Bones classes. John found the community to be friendly, helpful and fun. His daughter could see how much the classes were helping him socially and physically, as they gave him a purpose to get out of the house, interact with people his age, and do some physical activity. He quickly became a regular at the Center, looking forward to attending these classes each week. Over three years later, he continues to attend these classes three days a week, along with going to the Lunch & Learns, birthday celebrations, and Health Fairs. The wonderful volunteers at the SRC even threw him a 90^th birthday party! The SRC has truly been a life-changing and life-giving program for him, and he and his family are so grateful for the Center and the wonderful people there!

Program Director Lisa Sibelman added this reflection about the impact of SRC:

If I had to describe my feelings about the Senior Resource Center (SRC) in one word, it would be “Gratitude.” Over the past two years as the Program Director at SRC, I have felt immensely thankful to hold this position. Each day, I come to SRC and appreciate the strong sense of community fostered by our members. The environment is one of care and camaraderie, whether during exercise programs or educational sessions. The SRC has become a second home for many of our members, promoting a spirit of fellowship and resulting in numerous friendships. Personally, the Senior Resource Center has provided me with a deep sense of fulfillment by knowing that I am making a difference in so many of my fellow seniors’ lives.

Annual Festival of Trees

Since 2003 SRC has offered a community-wide Festival of Trees as its major annual fundraiser. The Festival of Trees is currently offered at The Barn in Chester Township, New Jersey.  This fundraiser also benefits families who reside in transitional housing, senior housing, and Homeless Solutions.

Updated Resources for Seniors and Caregivers

To increase its on-line services, SRCNJ recently updated their Resources | Senior Resource Center page which provides state, regional, and local resources on a variety of topics:

• State and County Resources
• Caregiver Resources
• Advocacy
• Opportunities to Volunteer Beyond SRC
• How to Connect Seniors with Volunteers to Assist Seniors
• On-Line Videos for Learning and Classes
• Health Topics
• Scams and Fraud Prevention

Learn More & Support

Learn more by visiting srcnj.org and/or by contacting SRC NJ Program Director Lisa Sibelman at programdirector@srcnj.org.

If you would like to offer support to SRC NJ you can donate, and double check if your employer offers donation matching by contacting your employer’s human resources or corporate social responsibility department directly.