Seniors in the El Centro Explora program kicked off the initiative with a trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.
“A lot of our seniors that we serve haven't really been anywhere for a long time.
Kent County Community Action Senior Services Director Gustavo Perez.
“It is an opportunity to take our seniors out and about in one of our transit vans and create some memories and experiences that they haven't had for many years.”
The field trip program serves a diverse group of adults age 60 and older, including many native Spanish speakers and homebound individuals who rely on KCCA for daily meals, case management, and social interaction.
"These are folks that don't have a lot of resources, and they don't have a lot of support. We, our amazing team, are usually the only ones that they see on a weekly basis.”
Staff is now planning trips to Blandford Nature Center, John Ball Zoo and other sites.
“Some of them have never been to a beach. And so we want to give them that experience and so we partner with Kent County Parks and we have a day at Millennium Park coming up.”
Funded by Molina Healthcare and the Michigan Association of Senior Centers, the trips are entirely free for seniors. KCCA aims to run the program every summer and fall but needs more community support to sustain it.
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