To those wandering the paths of Meridian’s Julius M. Kleiner Park, the angled rooflines near the park’s southeast tip might only gather a quick glance. An office, perhaps, or something tied to park maintenance.
But step through the doors, and the Meridian Senior Center tells a different story. Laughter carries from activity rooms, conversations unfold over coffee, and a steady rhythm of movement fills the space throughout the day.
“I always like to say, ‘We're not your grandma's senior center,’” Meridian Senior Center Executive Director Lisa Hansen said. “Because I think people have a perception in their mind of what a senior center looks like. And we are not that, because we have been blessed by the Kleiners and they built us this gorgeous, beautiful building. And we get to accommodate far more seniors than most senior centers would.”
Hansen has served as everything from the Center’s venue coordinator to bus driver to marketing director. Since taking over as Executive Director in August 2021, she’s seen the Center continue to grow.
“We had just reopened right after COVID,” she said. “We doubled our membership by the end of the year and then the next year it just exploded even more. We have experienced consistent growth each year, ending last year with 982 members.”
The nonprofit operates off memberships and donations, offering a wide span of services to local seniors.
A Happening Place
“We're the most happening place in the Valley for seniors over 60,” Hansen said, noting activities draw upwards of 200–300 seniors a day. “We have a plethora of activities. Our whole vision is for people to ‘live younger.’ I want them to come here and have a great time. I tell them my door is always open and I’ll try anything once. I don’t know if it’s going to work or not, but we’ll try it.”
That spirit shows up in everything from social gatherings and fitness classes to crafts, games, and educational programs. The Center also offers outings to regional destinations and hosts live pre-lunch entertainment, including performances like Radio Days and its take on classic programs from the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
“We strive to provide something for everyone—opportunities to stay active, connect socially, and meet new people.”
Marvelous Members
The sense of connection has made a meaningful difference for many who walk through the doors.
“Some were very isolated in their homes and weren’t doing much of anything,” Hansen said. “But somehow, someway, they realized, ‘I need to go to the senior center.’ We have heard from many of our seniors that coming here saved their life because they wouldn’t have had those social connections otherwise.”
For some, friendships form. For others, new routines take shape. Hansen says many who relocate to be closer to family—what she calls “grand-plants”—find a sense of belonging at the Center during the day.
“But when the grandkids are in school, they often don’t have much to do,” she said. “So they come here and get to experience everything we have to offer.”
Funding the Fun
Volunteers play a key role in keeping the Center running, from helping with activities to managing La Boutique and serving meals.
“My board members are always so sweet because they say, ‘It’s not just Lisa’s passion, she’s instilled it in her family as well,’” Hansen said. “This truly is my passion. When I started working here in 2017, I had a vision for our Center, and I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be.”
In addition to membership fees, the Center relies on donations to its Benevolent Fund, which supports seniors who can’t afford membership, along with fundraising events throughout the year. As a licensed bingo hall, it hosts weekly events open to the public, along with larger gatherings like the May 16 Bingo & Bubbly fundraiser and the October 3 Live Younger Gala.
“There's not many fundraisers you go to where you win money,” Hansen said.
“I’ve talked with people about the Meridian Senior Center who are clearly seniors, but they look at me and say, ‘I’m not going to a senior center,’” she added. “And I tell them, ‘You have to come see ours, it’s different.’”
And for many, that first visit is all it takes to change their perception.
To learn more about the Meridian Senior Center, visit meridianseniorcenter.org.