West Haven Senior Center finally reopened its doors on Thursday, July 8, and officials and staff are excited to welcome back the senior community, 55 and up.
As well as the center reopening after a long 14-month shutdown, the center’s members welcome Alyssa Maddern, MS, CTRS as the new Director of Elderly Services. Maddern is a life-long resident of West Haven, and said she is “thrilled” to join the Senior Center staff.
Similar to how COVID-19 has affected everyone and everything, the center closed more than 14 months ago. Along with the pandemic, the city needed to replace recently retired Director of Elderly Services, Sharon Mancini, with Maddern filling that role.
Maddern said she plans on retaining popular programs, and other events that made the center a hit with seniors.
“I plan to continue our community’s favorites such as Bingo, chair exercise, and, hopefully, reintroduce the beloved out trips and special occasions in the next year, 2022,” she said. However, I also plan on utilizing both my knowledge of therapeutic recreation and my bright creativity in order to incorporate new, unique programming. My team is just as eager as our seniors to have our Center back in action and we surely have missed everyone just as much and even more.”
At the West Haven Senior Center, the Department of Elderly Services provides a variety of services and activities to help West Haven residents 55 or older “enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement with the community.” The center will continue to send out monthly newsletters to its clientele through the mail as well as electronically available through the www.cityofwesthaven.com. Seniors should go to “Elderly Services”, and follow the newsletter link or www.ourseniorcenter.com—type in West Haven Senior Center.
Before coming to West Haven, Maddern was a Lifestyle Specialist at Maplewood Senior Living in Orange, where she developed and facilitated various activities daily. Maddern has her MS and BS from Southern Connecticut State University, where she studied Recreation & Leisure Studies, in Therapeutic Recreation. She has also been employed in a variety of places, including 12 years at the West Haven Parks & Recreation where she was led successfully by both Diane Dietman, West Haven’s Family and Youth Services Director, and retired Director of Parks and Recreation, William “Bill” Slater.
If you or someone you may know have any questions, comments, or concerns, the West Haven Senior Centers asks for you to not hesitate and reach out by calling (203) 937-3507.