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March 2025
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St. JoSeph edition Reaching South Bend and SuRRounding countieS
For more information about R.E.A.L. Services, visit realservices.org or call (574) 233-8205.
R.E.A.L. Services bringing new SENIOR CENTER TO SOUTH BEND
CENTER AMBASSADORS — Center ambassadors are volunteers who have input on the programming and direction of Portage Commons Senior Center. Anyone ages 60 or older can get involved. Pictured in front from left are Mary Ellen Hegedus; Monica Abair, R.E.A.L. Services director of Advancement and Outreach; Karla Mapes, R.E.A.L. Services CEO; and Sandy Chambers, volunteer services manager. In the back row are Jason Critchlow, Portage Township trustee; Lisa Gammon; Suzan Kesim; Barb Brownell; John McNamara; Pam Murphy; and Steve Welham. Photo provided by Sandy Chambers.
By LILLI DWYER Staff Writer R.E.A.L. Services’ progress on the new Portage Commons Senior Center, located in the former Portage Township Trustee Building at 133 N. William St., South Bend, started late last year with the goal of opening in spring 2025. R.E.A.L. Services is an organization that provides meals, health education and much more to seniors. It’s also the Council on Aging representative for the South Bend area. R.E.A.L. Services has 10 meal sites around South Bend, but was lacking in a place for seniors to meet and engage with each other and the community. Volunteer Services Manager Sandy Chambers cites socialization as one of the biggest needs for seniors. “There were no places for them to come and spend time and fellowship with other folks, other than maybe a couple hour stint at a nutri-
tion program. We’re hoping to bring them out an keep them active, and we’re happy and excited with what we have going on here,” she said. Chambers explained the building is one floor and already equipped with handicap accessible bathrooms. It’s also on Transpo bus routes 3A and 3B, with a 50¢ reduced fare available for those with a disability, Medicare card holders and seniors over 65. R.E.A.L. Services will be serving meals at Portage Commons Senior Center, as well as offering health screenings and wellness workshops. Activities like yoga and chair exercises will be offered to help seniors stay active. The organization will be providing State Health Insurance Assistance Program counseling, where seniors can learn about Medicare and financial planning. Center ambassador Suzan Kesim said rising costs of food, medication and transpiration are also major issues affecting seniors. She is
interested in holding job and resource fairs at the center to help those living at or below the poverty line. The building presents opportunities for new amenities, as well. A room with built-in bookshelves will become the in-house miniature library, with books provided through a partnership with the St. Joseph County Library. Another room has been designated as the games/arts and crafts room. Seniors can meet their social needs through game nights, movie screenings and hobby groups. R.E.A.L. Services recently received a grant for a multi-generational photography program to be held at the center, where teens and seniors will both learn how to take and edit their own photos. Former county surveyor and center ambassador John McNamara will be leading a genealogy group at the center. Another opportunity to get involved exists through the center ambassadors,
BOOKWORMS — Volunteer Services Manager Sandy Chambers, left, and center ambassador Suzan Kesim check out the built-in bookshelves in the future Portage Commons Senior Center. This room will become a library, with books provided by the St. Joseph County Public Library. Photo by Lilli Dwyer. volunteers who have a hand in shaping the direction and programming at the center. “I’m an engineer, I’m a surveyor. ... I’ve been doing genealogy for 25 years. I think, I have all these talents that I want to give back to people,” said McNamara. Anyone age 60 and older can get involved as an ambassador by calling Chambers at (574) 284-7138. Chambers mentioned there is work still to be done on
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the center and once that’s complete, it may be open on a limited basis as R.E.A.L Services builds up volunteers and additional programming. “I really believe that’s when it’s all going to culminate is when we get folks through the door and build that excitement,” she said. For updates on the Portage Commons Senior Center and other R.E.A.L. Services news, visit facebook.com/REALServicesInc.
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