By Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)-“Hola! Como Esta?” asks Christina McGrinson as she enters the Ecumenical Senior Center. “Hola,” replies several students of hers; many of whom are frequent participants of the center.
McGrinson is providing free Spanish lessons to the community and helping seniors keep their minds fresh by learning something new is her mission.
“I was surprised at how fast they caught on,” said McGrinson. “We are really having a great time,” she said of the classes which are held from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29 at the center located at 702 N. Burdick St.
The Spanish language program is just one of the many activities new interim director Margaret Smith has spearheaded for the center which is housed in the former VanAvery Drug Store and Powell Library respectively. She volunteered and served on the board of the senior center four years before taking on this position this past summer.
“My heart is here,” Smith said. “There is so much potential to bring programs into this center for all ages,” she said.
The center offers everything from intergenerational arts and crafts, Ladies Night Out (a pamper event), weekly bible study, workshops on health and a monthly fundraising fish fry, among other events.
On Sunday, Sept. 11, the center will host their annual Grandparent’s Day program from 4-5:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 120 Roberson St., with a speaker, music and refreshments. Smith has plans for future programs as well. She dreams of providing a place for local veterans to fellowship and have access to resource referrals they may need.
“My husband is a veteran,” Smith said. “And sometimes they just want to be around other veterans in an atmosphere where they can learn and offer their own knowledge.”
Smith says she feels God has led her to an area she can be beneficial to her community and wants to make the most of it.
