[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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