HOWLAND TOWNSHIP, Ohio – For 63 years, the John D. Emanuel Senior Center has been a place where seniors gather for cards, chair yoga, bocce, cornhole, line dancing, quilting, Bible study and more.
The American Legion Post 700 also uses the center for all of its activities.
After being renovated with $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, the center has reopened and is ready to serve seniors for years to come.
The center celebrated its reopening with a ribbon-cutting Thursday. Operated through SCOPE (Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavor) Senior Services, the facility provides services for those age 50 and older and some with disabilities, giving them a place to socialize and attend educational events, recreational activities and lunch.
For Judy Rich of Mineral Ridge, the drive to the Howland center is well worth it. She said she goes to the center to interact and meet new, nice people. She makes friends over a card game of 65, one of many games on the schedule on Thursdays.
Karen Miller of Champion, who was at the same table as Rich on Thursday, pointed out how important such activities and socialization can be for those who live alone.
Mike Wilson, the director of SCOPE Senior Services, said the senior centers are the most important thing paid for through the senior levy.
“The other programs are reactionary,” Wilson said. “By our people coming to the centers and doing activities, we’re preventing future health problems. … We help slow down the process of dementia. The more active our seniors are, whether it’s physical or mental, the better it is for them.”
Wilson said depression and suicide among seniors has risen since Covid, but participation in senior center programs makes a difference in overcoming loneliness and depression.
Trumbull County Commissioner Tony Bernard said about 30% of the population in the county is age 60 and older, which is about 60,000 people. Both Bernard and Commissioner Rick Hernandez emphasized the commitment of the county to improving the lives of seniors. And Hernandez dispelled rumors that the commissioners planned to pull senior levy funding from the senior centers, which brought a cheer from the crowd of seniors gathered Thursday.
“This is about Howland Township and the senior citizens of our county for you to be able to use this fantastic center,” Bernard said. “And our board is committed to expanding whatever services we can for the senior citizens of this county.”
The renovation was a long time coming, funded through $173,000 from Trumbull County’s 2023 Community Development Block Grant allocation and $46,500 from the CDBG revolving loan fund, according to Hernandez. Those dollars were used for painting, flooring installation, electrical improvements, HVAC, plumbing and other related work.
GPD Group designed the project, and DeSalvo Construction completed the work. Another $17,000 in CDBG funds was used to purchase kitchen equipment from A&N Restaurant Equipment and Supply. Miller Yount Paving Inc. completed the parking lot for another $60,000 in CDBG funds.
Howland Township Trustee James LaPolla Jr. said that with the improvements, including an upgraded bathroom, a modern kitchen, added storage, updated entrances and a new parking lot, the building reflects the ongoing commitment to senior citizens.
“These are investments in dignity, comfort and accessibility,” he said.
The renovations closed the center first for nine months and then again for three additional months. Yvonne Reventlow, manager of the center, said events had to be held at other locations in the community. She and several seniors at the center indicated Thursday how happy they are to be back in their familiar surroundings.
While membership donations are accepted, seniors are not turned away from participating at the center due to an inability to donate.
Pictured at top: Seniors play games at the center Thursday.