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City’s Senior Centers Extend Hours Providing More Services

Published on January 09, 2023

City of San Antonio Department of Human Services

City’s Senior Centers Extend Hours Providing More Opportunities for Services

SAN ANTONIO (January 9, 2023) — When Bob Wexler saw bulldozers and construction taking place near the Walker Ranch Park in February 2021, he was a little miffed because he felt the City was taking a piece of his park away.

The 70-year-old Air Force veteran lives walking distance from the park, but during the second week of August in 2022, the final results left him in awe – the Walker Ranch Senior Center.

“As I approached, I noticed the architectural beauty of the building,” Wexler said. “And as I came inside, I was even more amazed of the architectural beauty inside the building. I immediately decided to become a volunteer here.”

Since that day, Wexler and more than 2,400 older adults have made the center their place of recreation, wellness and community. Walker Ranch is one of 11 Comprehensive Senior Centers operated by the City of San Antonio serving more than 28,450 older adults.

The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services extended operational hours Jan. 9 to allow greater access and opportunity for members to enjoy recreation and health/wellness activities. New hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

82-year-old member Betty Kuykendall welcomed the extended hours. Although the center provides her the opportunity for social engagement and emotional support, she admitted not all seniors are able to come during the day.

She added the social benefits has uplifted her spirits and reduced the feeling of isolation from being at home alone.

“You look forward to coming here and even if you come for lunch every day and meet, sit at a table with somebody different and talk and say, ‘Hello, you mind if I sit next to you,’ and then they talk. And nobody's ever said no,” Kuykendall said. “At one point I was beginning to get a little depressed before this center opened, but I haven't felt depressed since coming here.”

A group of members enjoying a zumba class

Last year as part of the federal government’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act aimed at aiding public health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Antonio allocated $10 million in funding with $5.8 million supporting community-wide older adult initiatives and $4.2 million supporting expanded hours and programming at its Senior Centers.

The funding has had a positive impact on the City’s older adults by providing $2.5 million to support increased staffing and operational costs for the DHS-operated Comprehensive Senior Centers and $1.7 million to procure programming from community agencies to provide at the DHS Comprehensive Senior Centers.

“Knowing the vital role that older adults play both in their own families and in the community, the City’s Comprehensive Senior Centers support continued active involvement of this large segment of the population,” said Melody Woosley, Director, Department of Human Services. “Our sincere hope is that the extended hours will allow the centers to serve as a neighborhood hub for older adults to make friends, pursue hobbies, and maintain their health.

I encourage all adults 60 years and over to visit a senior center and take advantage of the tremendous services and resources offered to them.”
For 74-year-old Vietnam War veteran and native San Antonian Sid Krohn, he never imagined visiting a senior center. But he and his wife Mary have made the Walker Ranch facility a part of their daily routine.

“The energy level here is high, there’s good participation, fantastic instructors, and there’s a lot of camaraderie here,” Krohn said. “People share a lot, they care about each other, and everybody to a degree knows everybody and the center is a fun and friendly place.”

He also praised the City for investing in the Senior Centers and hopes other older adults reap the benefits of the extended hours.

“There's a lot of people that have to work or they have to take care of their grandkids during the day, or a family member and in the evening is the only time they have off,” Krohn said. “It's fantastic more people will get a chance to come. we're going to see a big influx of people; they're going to want to come in and join. And it’s free!”

Two members playing together in a game of table tennis

The senior centers offer a variety of free services, programs and activities including daily nutritious meal, exercise classes, basic health screenings, social services, computer classes and other wellness activities.

As part of DHS Senior Services Implementation Plan, $2 million allocated for increased social isolation, $2 million for increased food and resource insecurity, and $1 million for caregiver support.

“The funding is important to provide us all with a safe space to continue leading active lives and remain engaged within our communities after the age of 60,” said Vanessa Jimenez, Senior Center Manager, Walker Ranch Senior Center. “It has been a pleasure seeing all the ways that members are impacted by these services, from meeting new acquaintances to building new skills to quality of life improvement.”

The impact for Wexler since stepping into the Walker Ranch center goes beyond the relationships he’s built with the staff and other members. Having described himself as an outgoing person, he found himself in a very down place in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“It [Walker Ranch Service Center] has been part of a full resurrection and brought me back to the person that I have been most of my life,” he said. “This center has given me purpose, and the benefits that I am receiving are immense with the involvement of people in the community. The chance to serve others is something that I’ve enjoyed.”