Michigan is one of the states with the most older adults; according to Bridge Michigan, adults aged 65 and older make up a little over 18% of the state’s population. Until recently, Washtenaw County was one of nine counties in Michigan without a senior millage, a property tax that raises money to support services for older adults in the county. As you may know, Washtenaw County passed our Older Persons Millage in 2024. The millage named 10 senior centers who would get financial support through the millage. Senior Resource Connect reached out to all ten senior centers to explore the exciting programs and improvements funded by millage so far. This post will also explore the county-wide programs made possible by the millage funds.
Supporting Senior Centers
- Ann Arbor Senior Center (734) 794-6250
- Funds were used to hire a new staff member whose focus will be bringing programs to low-income senior housing communities, including cooking classes, art projects, brain exercises, and educational workshops.
- Funds allowed one of the Ann Arbor parks educators to create more senior-focused programs, including monthly cooking classes, workshops (e.g., pet portraits, leaf printing, nature journaling, holiday celebrations, etc.), and workshops with the parks’ field biologists to learn about local plants and nature.
- Planning has begun on parking lot improvements, including adding more accessible parking spots.
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242
- On December 2nd, Chelsea Senior Center unveiled their new personal needs closet, A Brief Stop. The closet supplies a variety of adult briefs and pads, and other related products. The closet is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30am- 2:00pm. Membership isn’t required, and all items are available free of charge. Click here to read the article in the Chelsea Update.
- Chelsea Senior Center partnered with the Chelsea Area Fire Authority to install emergency lock boxes and reflective address signs. Both of these items will help during an emergency when seconds count. Older adults can complete a form at the Chelsea Senior Center and bring it to the Chelsea Area Fire Authority. This program is available free of cost to residents of Chelsea, Lima Township, Lyndon Township, Sylvan Township, and parts of Dexter Township. Note: Homeowners must install the reflective signs themselves. Click here to read the article in the Chelsea Update.
- Dexter Senior Center (734) 426-7737
- Funds from the millage have been used to support a variety of enrichment and fitness activities for the seniors, including:
- American Mahjong
- Beginner Chinese Mahjong class
- Cardio Drumming
- Chair Volleyball
- Chess
- Circuit class
- Dominos
- Flexibility and Mobility class
- Line Dancing
- Mindfulness class
- Square and Round Dancing
- Tai Chi
- Watercolor painting classes
- Funds from the millage have been used to support a variety of enrichment and fitness activities for the seniors, including:
- Manchester Senior Citizens Council (734) 645-9722
- Enabled needed updates to the senior center, including installing phone and internet service, purchasing additional (and much needed!) kitchen supplies and equipment.
- Covered operating expenses, such as hiring an executive director, maintaining utilities, and supporting janitorial staff. Supporting operating costs is a strong investment because staff, utilities, and leadership are needed for any agency to serve its community.
- Funds also enabled staff to work collaboratively with other agencies on projects like preparing emergency kits and providing warm clothing for seniors.
- Removed financial barriers and allowed the senior center to expand programming at little or no cost to seniors, including new cardio drumming and dancing for health exercise classes.
- Funds were used to create a minor home repair program. The program, open to Washtenaw County residents aged 60 and older, can cover home repairs up to $1,000. Applications are available at the Manchester Senior Center during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here to read the article in the Manchester Mirror.
- Pittsfield Township Senior Center (734) 822-2117
- Plan to use the millage funds to enhance accessibility, promote lifelong learning, and improve the overall quality of services offered to senior county residents.
- Funds will be used to improve accessibility at the senior center, including renovating restrooms to be fully ADA-compliant.
- A new dedicated educationional space will be created to expand offerings for classes, workshops, and community programs.
- Saline Area Senior Center (734) 429-9274
- SASC has not yet implemented any changes or programs with the funds due to the current remodel and expansion. Millage funds will be used in 2026 to furnish the new space.
- Ypsilanti Township 50 & Beyond Program (734) 544-3800
- Purchased upgrades for the center, including four NuStep recumbent bikes, two new treadmills, and two 9-foot billiards tables. These new additions enhance both the fitness and social opportunities available at the center.
- Plans to use funds to upgrade the program’s current sound system and increase participant safety by installing seatbelts on all buses.
County-Wide Projects
- Food Assistance
- During the federal SNAP/food stamp pause, money from the millage was used to support agencies fighting senior hunger, including Food Gatherers, Meals on Wheels, local food banks, and the Washtenaw County senior nutrition program.
- Funds also supported emergency food distribution events, such as Food Gatherers’ drive-thru food distribution at Briarwood Mall.
- Transportation
- Free transportation program for Washtenaw County residents age 60 and above provided via Jewish Family Services, People’s Express, and Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE). Call (734) 222-6850 for more information, or you can call each agency individually.
- Click here for a map of transportation providers’ service areas.
- Jewish Family Services (734) 769-0209, option 2 (you can also request a ride using their online form)
- People’s Express (877) 214-6073
- WAVE (734) 475-9494
- Click here for a map of transportation providers’ service areas.
- Free transportation program for Washtenaw County residents age 60 and above provided via Jewish Family Services, People’s Express, and Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE). Call (734) 222-6850 for more information, or you can call each agency individually.
- Housing/Emergency Services
- The Senior Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), a collaboration of agencies including Washtenaw County Barrier Busters and the Housing Bureau for Seniors, received millage funding to keep older adults housed.
- Creation of the Washtenaw County Office of Aging Services
- Shannon Effler has been named as the inaugural Director of Aging Services and started her role earlier this week.
What an exciting time for Washtenaw County- with more to come later this year!