Mark Cole introduced Kay Lavelle, who spoke about Austintown Senior Center. Retirement was just not in the books for Kay Lavelle. After retiring from the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Randall A. Wellington asked her to put together some services for Seniors. A much needed program to enable seniors who live without a support system or relatives was desperately needed in the Valley. After much research, Kay did just that. She found out that
was the easy part. Getting the word out was a lot harder. Many in the area didn’t realize that just by calling that one number they would have a link to a whole network of help. (330-480-5078). When Austintown wanted to start a Senior Center, Kay was there and wanted to help. Austintown Senior Center opened its doors on October 26, 2010 at 100 Westchester Drive. They now boast more than 500 registered members. Since January, more than 5,000 visitors have walked through the door and on an average day your will find more than 40 members enjoying the activities at the center such as: computer classes, bus trips, line dancing, painting classes, bingo, screenings, movies, seminars, Yoga and many other activities including Wii tournaments. The center has given seniors the access they need. Many seniors become lonely and depressed and the center has given many a source for companionship as they continue to learn new things and meet new people. A levy is now needed to keep the support of the center ongoing. On the November ballot is a 0.5 mill levy for the purpose of providing services to Senior citizens. If passed, the levy will generate approximately $309,000 in revenue. A home valued at $100,000 will pay about $17 per year and if eligible for Homestead Exemption, would drop that to $12.80 per year.