50th Anniversary of the Hub on Smith

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sheridan's Senior Center, the Hub on Smith in Sheridan, WY. The Hub is a cornerstone for the community. It provides essential care, meals, and support to residents of Sheridan County.

To commemorate this outstanding achievement, the Hub is hosting ``50 for 50''--50 small events and opportunities to highlight staff, patrons, and programs.

In 1972, Sheridan County created the Senior Citizen's Coordinating Council to address the need for senior citizen services. The council discovered many seniors were living alone and struggling to meet basic needs. Poverty and lack of services resulted in a push for a nursing home.

In 1973, the Senior Citizen's Coordinating Council was incorporated into a private nonprofit organization, the Senior Citizens Council. This began their longstanding commitment to the community. The Sheridan Senior Center was established.

Numerous expansions of land, acquisitions, and services occurred over the years. Longstanding relationships with volunteers, foundations, individual donors, local businesses, local government, and elected leaders are greatly responsible for the success and sustainability of the Hub.

The Sheridan Senior Center rebranded in 2017 to the Hub on Smith, a Center for All Generations. This was done to modernize the way services are delivered and marketed. Folks now refer to the center as ``the Hub.''

The Hub on Smith exemplifies their vision statement of ``Sheridan is a community that improves the quality of life for people of all ages by strengthening and supporting its elders and where elders contribute to the well-being and foresight of the community.'' This is evident through the many services provided to residents in these Wyoming communities: Sheridan, Ranchester, Dayton, Arvada, Clearmont, Big Horn, and Story.

The number and quality of services increased over the years. The Hub on Smith prepares 400-500 nutritious meals daily. These meals can be enjoyed in the center or delivered to residents' homes. The Sheridan minibus was the first service provided by the center. Through fundraising and expansions, Goose Creek Transit is now a door-to-door service for appointments, grocery runs, trips to the Hub, and out-of- town medical appointments. The support center is a team of dedicated information specialists, intake workers, care coordinators, and case managers. They work together to offer an all-encompassing resource hub, often referred to as ``the hub of the Hub.''

The Hub recognizes the importance of supporting family members and caregivers. Programs such as counseling, support meetings, respite, education, and training creates a strong network of care for this courageous group. The Hub offers care to seniors both at the center and in their homes. Registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and access care coordinators make up the Help at Home service. This is a licensed home health agency that supports seniors while maintaining their dignity and independence. The Hub's numerous services and programs include Day Break, an adult daycare, Dementia Friendly Wyoming, which furnishes education and training, and a Loan Closet, lending durable medical equipment to patrons. Fun & Wellness provides social engagement through educational sessions, dance, exercise, outdoor adventures, arts, music, crafts, games, and more. The Trailblazer Project trains volunteers to give one-on-one support to the older adults who need it. The Grab `N Go Cafe is an alternative option to congregate meals by offering unique foods and drinks. Sales from Urban Thrift, a secondhand store on Main Street, directly benefit the Hub.

There are over 350 individual volunteers who help the community in a variety of roles. These include home-delivered meal drivers, teachers, meal servers, registrars, musical performers, advisers, and board members. Their commitment and willingness to give back reflects their strong community spirit.

The Hub on Smith's mission is ``to celebrate, embrace, and serve older adults for the betterment of our community.'' With 29 percent of Sheridan's population 60 years and older, the Hub on Smith is a vital resource for the city.

The dedicated staff and board members who keep the Hub on Smith running are:

Board of Directors

Melissa Butcher, President

Lori McMullen, Vice President

Robert E. Miller, Treasurer

Kati Sherwood, Secretary

Board Members

Michael W. McCafferty

Casey Osborn

Marcyes Schmaus

Anthony Spiegelberg

Bryn Stewart

Director Emeritus, Ky Dixon

Director Emeritus, Dr. Seymour Thickman

Staff

Carmen Rideout, Executive Director

Sheree Childers-Cossel, Director of Human Resources

Meredith Sopko, Director of Development

Ryan Landis, Director of Operations

Cheryl Lasher, Financial Director

Steve Ainslie, Transportation Director

Barb Blue, Day Break Director

Helaine McRae, Support Center Manager

Kevin Coleman, Executive Chef

Robin Ruff, Tongue River Valley Program Coordinator

Erin Kranz, Urban Thrift Manager

Beth Leahy, Help at Home Manager

Lisa Wells, Sr. Fun and Wellness Coordinator

Amanda Munford, Fun and Wellness Coordinator

Jessica Culligan, Intake Specialist

Heather Comstock, Dementia Friendly Wyoming Director

Emily Gorham-Keith, Care Coordinator

Amanda Rodriguez, Help at Home Program Assistant

Leah Frank, Care Coordinator

Dayna Gates, Care Coordinator

Marcie Morrow, Volunteer Coordinator

Director Emeritus, Ky Dixon

Director Emeritus, Dr. Seymour Thickman

It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant milestone. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations to the Hub on Smith for their 50th anniversary.

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