[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUB ON SMITH
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Sheridan's Senior Center, the Hub on Smith in Sheridan,
WY. The Hub is a cornerstone for the community. It provides essential
care, meals, and support to residents of Sheridan County.
To commemorate this outstanding achievement, the Hub is hosting ``50
for 50''--50 small events and opportunities to highlight staff,
patrons, and programs.
In 1972, Sheridan County created the Senior Citizen's Coordinating
Council to address the need for senior citizen services. The council
discovered many seniors were living alone and struggling to meet basic
needs. Poverty and lack of services resulted in a push for a nursing
home.
In 1973, the Senior Citizen's Coordinating Council was incorporated
into a private nonprofit organization, the Senior Citizens Council.
This began their longstanding commitment to the community. The Sheridan
Senior Center was established.
Numerous expansions of land, acquisitions, and services occurred over
the years. Longstanding relationships with volunteers, foundations,
individual donors, local businesses, local government, and elected
leaders are greatly responsible for the success and sustainability of
the Hub.
The Sheridan Senior Center rebranded in 2017 to the Hub on Smith, a
Center for All Generations. This was done to modernize the way services
are delivered and marketed. Folks now refer to the center as ``the
Hub.''
The Hub on Smith exemplifies their vision statement of ``Sheridan is
a community that improves the quality of life for people of all ages by
strengthening and supporting its elders and where elders contribute to
the well-being and foresight of the community.'' This is evident
through the many services provided to residents in these Wyoming
communities: Sheridan, Ranchester, Dayton, Arvada, Clearmont, Big Horn,
and Story.
The number and quality of services increased over the years. The Hub
on Smith prepares 400-500 nutritious meals daily. These meals can be
enjoyed in the center or delivered to residents' homes. The Sheridan
minibus was the first service provided by the center. Through
fundraising and expansions, Goose Creek Transit is now a door-to-door
service for appointments, grocery runs, trips to the Hub, and out-of-
town medical appointments. The support center is a team of dedicated
information specialists, intake workers, care coordinators, and case
managers. They work together to offer an all-encompassing resource hub,
often referred to as ``the hub of the Hub.''
The Hub recognizes the importance of supporting family members and
caregivers. Programs such as counseling, support meetings, respite,
education, and training creates a strong network of care for this
courageous group. The Hub offers care to seniors both at the center and
in their homes. Registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and
access care coordinators make up the Help at Home service. This is a
licensed home health agency that supports seniors while maintaining
their dignity and independence. The Hub's numerous services and
programs include Day Break, an adult daycare, Dementia Friendly
Wyoming, which furnishes education and training, and a Loan Closet,
lending durable medical equipment to patrons. Fun & Wellness provides
social engagement through educational sessions, dance, exercise,
outdoor adventures, arts, music, crafts, games, and more. The
Trailblazer Project trains volunteers to give one-on-one support to the
older adults who need it. The Grab `N Go Cafe is an alternative option
to congregate meals by offering unique foods and drinks. Sales from
Urban Thrift, a secondhand store on Main Street, directly benefit the
Hub.
There are over 350 individual volunteers who help the community in a
variety of roles. These include home-delivered meal drivers, teachers,
meal servers, registrars, musical performers, advisers, and board
members. Their commitment and willingness to give back reflects their
strong community spirit.
The Hub on Smith's mission is ``to celebrate, embrace, and serve
older adults for the betterment of our community.'' With 29 percent of
Sheridan's population 60 years and older, the Hub on Smith is a vital
resource for the city.
The dedicated staff and board members who keep the Hub on Smith
running are:
Board of Directors
Melissa Butcher, President
Lori McMullen, Vice President
Robert E. Miller, Treasurer
Kati Sherwood, Secretary
Board Members
Michael W. McCafferty
Casey Osborn
Marcyes Schmaus
Anthony Spiegelberg
Bryn Stewart
Director Emeritus, Ky Dixon
Director Emeritus, Dr. Seymour Thickman
Staff
Carmen Rideout, Executive Director
Sheree Childers-Cossel, Director of Human Resources
Meredith Sopko, Director of Development
Ryan Landis, Director of Operations
Cheryl Lasher, Financial Director
Steve Ainslie, Transportation Director
Barb Blue, Day Break Director
Helaine McRae, Support Center Manager
Kevin Coleman, Executive Chef
Robin Ruff, Tongue River Valley Program Coordinator
Erin Kranz, Urban Thrift Manager
Beth Leahy, Help at Home Manager
Lisa Wells, Sr. Fun and Wellness Coordinator
Amanda Munford, Fun and Wellness Coordinator
Jessica Culligan, Intake Specialist
Heather Comstock, Dementia Friendly Wyoming Director
Emily Gorham-Keith, Care Coordinator
Amanda Rodriguez, Help at Home Program Assistant
Leah Frank, Care Coordinator
Dayna Gates, Care Coordinator
Marcie Morrow, Volunteer Coordinator
Director Emeritus, Ky Dixon
Director Emeritus, Dr. Seymour Thickman
It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant
milestone. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations to the Hub
on Smith for their 50th anniversary.
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