“Mr. DeMille, we’re ready for our close-up!”

    Back in the days of the big movie studios, celebrity stars spent hours primping for their “close-up” photos. All imperfections were hidden and the light was made just right to produce a perfect image.
     Today the Newton Senior Center is preparing its “second” close-up and is proud to “strut its stuff” with no special effects. The first close-up came five years ago when the center underwent the National Accreditation process. At that time every aspect of the center: its functions, programs, services, physical plant, etc., were studied in detail. The result was that the Newton Senior Center became an “Accredited” senior center.  It was one of only five senior centers with Accreditation in the state.
      The five intervening years have seen incredible growth and activity. The center, once a part of the Department of Human Services in the City of Newton, has become the “jewel in the crown” of the newly created Department of Senior Services. The staff has grown to include an “Outreach Social Worker” who works in tandem with the Senior Center Social Worker (LICSW), to assist clients in their homes as well as at the center. A custodial crew now tends to the building daily. The transportation system has expanded to meet the growing needs of the senior citizens of Newton and stands as a model for other communities. The “Park at the Newton Senior Center” will be completed this Spring, further enhancing the beautiful building it surrounds. Additionally, the senior center now uses “state of the art” software to keep and organize data.
          Much of the growth of the center is due to the Accreditation process of five years ago when goals were set and action plans devised. The staff took these goals very seriously and worked hard to make them a reality. The re-accreditation process should not only highlight the achievements of these years but will set new goals for the future.
          A committed and impressive mix of people is doing the work of re-accreditation: senior citizens, center staff, service providers, city employees, Council on Aging members, etc. The close-up view they get while studying the senior center provides them with a greater understanding of today’s center and allows a peek at what may lie ahead.
         Confidently, the Newton Senior Center, approaches re-accreditation knowing that a close-up will reveal challenges to be met and goals to be set… “we’re ready for our close-up now!”

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