SENIOR RECREATION PROVIDERS

Enriching Lives in Southwest Georgia’s Senior Community

Written by Wendy Bellacomo

The Sowega Council on Aging’s (SCOA) Senior Recreation Partners is a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing the lives of older adults in their respective counties. These partners are external agencies that join forces with SCOA to deliver a diverse array of programs and services tailored to seniors’ needs. At its core, the Senior Recreation Partners program seeks to foster socialization, engagement and active participation among older adults, enriching their sense of community and overall wellbeing.

Embracing the ethos of the Senior Center without Walls model, the program transcends traditional boundaries by offering recreational activities that are not confined to one physical location. One hallmark of this approach is the provision of congregate meals, facilitated through partnerships with local restaurants, ensuring seniors have access to nutritious meals while fostering community connections. Recreational opportunities provided by Senior Recreation Partners also give seniors the chance to participate in activities close to home.

The program’s offerings are as varied as they are engaging, encompassing a spectrum of activities designed to cater to diverse interests and preferences. From inperson gatherings at community hubs like libraries, recreation centers and churches, to virtual interactions accessible via phone or computer, seniors are provided with a wealth of opportunities to participate. These activities span a wide spectrum, including exercise classes to promote physical wellbeing, entertaining games like bingo, invigorating walking clubs, educational sessions on nutrition, enriching devotionals, melodic music programs, evidence-based health workshops and creative crafts sessions, among others.

By partnering with local organizations, SCOA ensures that seniors have access to a rich tapestry of experiences that not only keep them physically active but also stimulate their minds and nurture their social lives. Through the Senior Recreation Partners program, older adults are empowered to remain vital members of their communities, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose as they continue to thrive in their golden years.

At the heart of this initiative lies a commitment to community collaboration and inclusivity. Currently operating with five Senior Recreation Partner Providers, SCOA aims to establish partnerships in each of its 14 counties. To achieve this goal, SCOA follows a structured Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Typically released every four years coinciding with SCOA’s Area Plan, the RFP invites interested parties to submit proposals outlining their vision and capabilities for serving seniors within their respective counties. However, in instances where there are no applications received during the regular RFP cycle, SCOA maintains flexibility by opening the RFP annually to counties that do not currently have a Senior Recreation Provider.

In line with this commitment to transparency and community engagement, SCOA ensures widespread awareness of the RFP process. The RFPs are set to be released in December 2024, with advertisements appearing in local newspapers across the region. This proactive approach not only encourages participation from potential partners but also ensures that seniors and community stakeholders are informed and involved in the process.

Through this process of partnership development and community engagement, SCOA continues to expand its reach and impact, empowering seniors to lead fulfilling lives characterized by vitality, connection and meaningful engagement within their local communities.

Scoa Senior Recreation Partners

COLQUITT COUNTY

Colquitt Arts Council 401 7th Avenue SW, Moultrie, GA 31768

229-985-1922

Activities include:

• Arts & Crafts Workshops (canvas painting, scrapbooking, candle making, chair yoga, etc.)

• Monthly Special Concerts/Events

DOUGHERTY COUNTY

Albany YMCA 1701 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA 31707

229-436-0531

Activities include:

• Water aerobics

• Zumba

• Pickleball

• Tai Chi

LEE COUNTY

Lee YMCA

Please contact each SCOA Senior Recreation Partner directly for a current schedule of events.

316 Robert B. Lee Drive, Leesburg, GA 31763 229-436-0531

Activities include:

• Silver Sneakers Chair Fitness

• Zumba

• Spin/Group Cycling

MILLER COUNTY

Spring Creek Health

Meets at Colquitt Methodist Church 453 E. Main Street, Colquitt, GA 39837 229-726-0089

Activities include:

• Low Impact Exercise/Walking

• Chair Exercise

• Monthly Special Events & Education Programs

MITCHELL COUNTY

The Cross Church 647 Old GA Hwy 3, Camilla, GA 31730 229-330-2767

Activities include:

• Weekly Activities, Education & Socialization

Senior Centers exist to enrich the lives of senior citizens through programs and services that improve their health and wellness, decrease loneliness and isolation, and provide social, economic, and education opportunities to enhance their quality of life. Nutritious meals are served to people age 60+. Participants enjoy activities, exercise, special events, and engaging programs.

Senior Centers are reinventing themselves to meet the needs and desires of the aging baby boomer generation. In response to this upcoming active generation of seniors, our senior center programs have been operating under a new model – the Senior Center Without Walls. The program offers the same components as a physical senior center but utilizes partnerships within a community to deliver services to seniors outside of a brick-and-mortar building.

Partnering with county-local restaurants and activity providers, Sowega Council on Aging funds meals and activities for seniors within our 14-county service area Monday through Friday.