Iowa City Senior Center 2025 Annual Report

45 years

of connection, care, learning, nourishment, creativity, advocacy, and belonging. of showing up for older adults—not as an afterthought, but as a priority. in community.

Iowa City Senior Center ANNUAL REPORT 2025

And we are just getting started.

A Note of Gratitude & Looking Ahead

2025 was a year of holding steady while also imagining forward—and that is no small thing.

At the Iowa City Senior Center, we showed up every day as a place of connection, care, creativity, nourishment, and belonging. We did this in the middle of construction dust, temperature swings, shifting systems, growing needs, and a world that often feels louder and less patient with aging. And still—this building stayed alive. To our members: thank you for trusting this space as part of your daily rhythm. You bring humor, wisdom, critique, joy, grief, curiosity, and care into these rooms. You remind us—constantly—that aging is not a problem to solve, but a life stage to be supported, honored, and fully lived. To our volunteers: you are the connective tissue of this place. From food access and front desk support to special events, set-ups, clean-ups, and quiet acts of noticing—you carry the spirit of service that makes this center feel human and responsive. We could not do this work without you, and we do not take that lightly. To our instructors and facilitators: thank you for your patience, flexibility, and deep commitment to learning and well-being. You taught through disruptions, adapted to changing conditions, and continued to show up with care for our members’ bodies, minds, and creative lives. You help make this center a place of growth at every age. To our staff: there are no adequate words—but I will try anyway. You held systems together while we rebuilt them. You served people while navigating change. You balanced urgency with compassion, boundaries with generosity, and exhaustion with humor. You are thoughtful, skilled, and deeply committed to this community. This work happens because of you. To our community partners: thank you for walking alongside us. From food access, health and wellness, arts and culture, education, housing stability, and intergenerational connection—your collaboration expands what is possible inside these walls. You help ensure the Senior Center is not a silo, but a shared civic space rooted in relationship and mutual care. In 2025, the Senior Center continued to evolve—not just as a building, but as an idea. A downtown anchor. A social connector. A learning hub. A safety net. A creative space. A place where the past, present, and future of aging meet. This is the mythology of the Senior Center: not simply what we offer, but who we are becoming together. As we move into 2026—our 45th anniversary year—we do so with gratitude for those who built this center, care for those who sustain it now, and responsibility to those who will need it in the years ahead. Forty-five years is not just a milestone; it is a reminder that aging, community, and belonging are long games—and we are still in them. Thank you for being part of this story. Thank you for believing that older adulthood deserves investment, imagination, and joy. And thank you for walking with us as we continue to build a Senior Center that is future-ready, rooted, and unmistakably human.

With deep appreciation, LaTasha DeLoach Senior Center Coordinator Iowa City Senior Center

“We have one of the best senior centers and are highly thought of.” TOM SCHULEIN

The Four Pillars OUR MISSION IN ACTION:

The Iowa City Senior Center exists to enhance quality of life by creating opportunities that support wellness , social connections , community engagement , and lifelong learning for a diverse and growing older adult population. These four pillars guide our programming, partnerships, and daily work, and they reflect what our members tell us matters most: staying healthy, staying connected, staying engaged, and continuing to grow.

Wellness

Social Connections

Attend to your wellbeing, exercise your autonomy, and live your best life.

“This is where I found my people after retiring.”

Wellness programming remains a cornerstone of the Senior Center, supporting physical health, mental wellbeing, safety, and independence. Highlights & Participation 60 wellness-focused programs offered in FY2025 - Topics included fitness, balance and fall prevention, nutrition, caregiving support, mental health, chronic disease education, and spirituality - Ongoing access to the fitness room for members Sample Classes Strength & Balance - Chair Yoga and Gentle Yoga - Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention - Nutrition for Healthy Aging - Caregiver Support and Education Impact & Why It Matters Members consistently share that wellness programming helps them remain independent, confident, and connected to their bodies as they age. Wellness programming reduces isolation, supports fall prevention, and empowers older adults to manage their health proactively.

Create new friendships, find support, boost resilience, and have fun. Social connection is essential to healthy aging. The Senior Center provides welcoming spaces where relationships form naturally and community is built every day. Highlights & Participation 43 social connection programs offered in FY2025 - Opportunities for informal connection alongside structured activities Sample Classes & Activities Coffee & Conversation - Game Days and Card Clubs - Support Groups - Social Hours and Special Events Impact & Why It Matters For many members, the Senior Center is their primary social outlet. Social connection programming directly combats loneliness and isolation, strengthening emotional wellbeing and resilience.

“Coming here keeps me moving and gives me confidence to stay active at home.”

Community Engagement

Lifelong Learning

Stay connected to your community and access resources and partnerships. The Senior Center serves as a trusted hub for information, services, and partnerships that extend well beyond our walls. Highlights & Participation 47 community engagement programs offered in FY2025 - Strong collaborations with local nonprofits, City departments, and regional agencies Sample Programs & Partnerships TRAIL of Johnson County transportation coordination - SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) - AARP Tax Aide - Honoring Your Wishes advance care planning Impact & Why It Matters These programs help older adults navigate complex systems, make informed decisions, and remain active participants in civic life.

Cultivate curiosity, develop new skills, and keep your mind active. Learning does not stop with retirement. Lifelong learning programs encourage creativity, purpose, and continued personal growth. Highlights & Participation 81 lifelong learning programs offered in FY2025 - Topics ranged from arts and humanities to technology and civic engagement Sample Classes Language Classes - Art and Creative Writing - Technology Help and Digital Literacy - History and Current Events Discussions Impact & Why It Matters Lifelong learning supports cognitive health, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

“I don’t know where I’d be

without the help I received here.”

Membership & Demographic Snapshot

1,639 members FY2025 MEMBERSHIP (10.26% increase)

14% of members participated in the low-income scholarship program 81.82% reside in Iowa City; 16.17% in Johnson County Strong growth among African American, Hispanic/Latino, and multi-racial members 233 active volunteers supporting programs and operations Our membership reflects a diverse and growing older adult population, with increasing participation from underrepresented communities. City of Iowa City contribution: 77% of total budget $256,003 $1,118,151 TOTAL FY2025 REVENUE TOTAL FY2025 EXPENSES Membership revenue: $59,270 (3.5% increase) Johnson County service agreement: $62,430 Funding sources also include grants, donations, rentals, parking fees, and independent contractor revenue. Financial Overview (HIGH-LEVEL)

Hybrid & Off-Site Programming

Hybrid, virtual, and off-site programming has become a permanent and valued part of our service model.

41 off-site programs 15 virtual programs

These formats increase accessibility for individuals with mobility, transportation, or health barriers and allow us to reach older adults where they are.

In-House Programs & Special Initiatives

Give Back Garden: Produced over 150 pounds of fresh produce for the community pantry SHIIP: Provided insurance counseling through in-person, virtual, and home visits AARP Tax-Aide: Delivered trusted tax assistance Honoring Your Wishes: Supported advance care planning conversations These programs address real-life needs and reinforce the Senior Center’s role as a safety net and resource hub.

Friends of the Iowa City Senior Center

Equity is embedded across our work: • Low-income scholarships reduce financial barriers • Culturally responsive programming reflects community diversity • Outreach extends beyond Equity, Access & Inclusion The Friends of the Senior Center Endowment is a critical partner in sustaining and enhancing services. FY2025 Impact Contribution of $56,368, a 9.7% increase from the prior year • Support for programming, operations, and special initiatives • Continued progress toward the $60,000 annual contribution goal Their generosity allows the Senior Center to remain responsive, innovative, and inclusive.

the building to meet people where they are

We remain committed to

“When I decided to move from Georgia to Iowa, I looked at several cities in the state. I was visiting Iowa City last year, ahead of my move, and found the Senior Center which listed the Queer Elders as one of the active groups. I really enjoyed those gatherings. It was availability of the Senior Center and specifically the Queer Elders groups that brought me to choose the Iowa City area as my place to move. Since then, I have purchased a Condo in North Liberty and am a regular at the Queer Elders gatherings.” MARK E

ensuring that all older adults feel welcome, represented, and supported.

Renovations, Operations & Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow, we are also stewarding an aging facility through phased renovations that will improve long term accessibility and functionality. We are navigating: • Aging infrastructure has been repaired including new windows and doors and everyone is aware of the HVAC challenges • Increased demand for services • Greater staffing needs to support safety, equity, and extended hours Despite these realities, the Senior Center remains resilient and forward focused. Looking Ahead • Continued membership growth toward 1,700 members • Expanded partnerships and fundraising capacity • Sustained investment in staff and equitable pay • Ongoing commitment to innovation, inclusion, and community connection

“Nice to see how good ICSC looks!” INA LOEWENBERG

Goodbye Message from Michelle Buhman

ICSC Community Partners

100 Grannies for a Livable Future AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program African Festival Age On Physical Therapy & Fitness American Heart Association American Parkinson Disease Association Iowa Chapter Arthritis Foundation Bickford Home Care Carver College of Medicine’s Urology Interest Group City of North Liberty Colonial Lanes Community and Family Resources Community Foundation of Johnson County Cycling Without Age @ Iowa City Bike Library Death Collective of Eastern Iowa Device Advice (UI Student Group) Dream City Emma Goldman Clinic Family Folk Machine FilmScene Four Hands Taiji Friends of Iowa City Senior Center

When I was hired at the Iowa City Senior Center in the spring of 1997 as the Senior Clerk/Typist, I was happy simply to have a full-time job. What I didn’t know at that time was that it would quickly become my dream job. I have found inspiration in the people I met: those of you who embraced lifelong learning, those who have worked to stay physically fit when the body doesn’t always cooperate, and those of you who took the risk to meet new people and make new friends. Working with all of you has truly been one of the greatest joys of my career. Your creativity, kindness, and dedication have inspired me every day, and I will deeply miss our collaborations and the friendships we’ve built. For those of you who have worked with me to offer programs, thank you for everything you’ve done to make our programs—and our community—so special. You’ve helped make the Senior Center a place full of energy, learning, and connection, and I know that spirit will continue to grow in the years ahead. I’m not entirely sure what the future holds, but I’m looking forward to having the freedom to explore new possibilities— whether that means new projects, new hobbies, or simply enjoying more unstructured time.

2025-26

FTS Therapeutic Massage Green Iowa AmeriCorps HACAP Food Reservoir Hills Bank Iowa Care Community Iowa City Climate Action & Outreach Iowa City Downtown District Iowa City Fire Department Iowa City Foreign Relations Council Iowa City Hospice Iowa City New Horizons Band Iowa City Parks and Recreation Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Public Library Iowa City Transit Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Iowa Writers’ Workshop Jill Watskey, Attorney Johnson County Conservation Johnson County Food Access Network Johnson County Public Health Johnson County United Nations Association

KICI-LP, 105.3 FM Kirkwood Community College Live 2 B Healthy McCall Coaching & Consulting, LLC Midtown Family Restaurant New Pioneer Food Co-op Pi Beta Phi Pickleball Johnson County Public Space One Queer Elders of Iowa City Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Sacred Collective Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Shelter House Soulful Path Wellness SoundReach Choir/West Music Spanish in the Community (UI Class) St. Croix Hospice Stuff Etc. Sycamore Moon Astrology & Tarot Table to Table Tamarack Discovery School Taylor CPAs & Advisors The Center for Afrofuturist Studies

TRAIL of Johnson County Tremble Clefs – Iowa UI College of Pharmacy United Action for Youth United Healthcare

University of Iowa Audiology University of Iowa Ceramics Department University of Iowa College of Public Health University of Iowa Graduate Engagement Corps University of Iowa Health Care University of Iowa Health Network Rehabilitation Hospital University of Iowa Health, Brain, and Cognition Lab University of Iowa Office of Community Engagement University of Iowa School of Music University of Iowa School of Social Work University of Iowa Ultimate Frisbee Uplifted Energies US Bank

Valencia Bodywork Village Caregiving Visiting Nurse Association

“I like how our instructor for Cardio Drumming, Elizabeth, warms us up and cools us down after a hot workout. I keep coming back to Cardio Drumming because I like it so much. When my grandsons visit, we do it together with them making up the routine. It’s really fun.” BERNIE

(319) 356-5220 28 S Linn St Iowa City, IA 52240 www.icgov.org/senior icseniorcenterfriends.org