Blaine Senior Center

Dear Members,

We have had a tumultuous week at the Center. It is time for us to heal and move forward. I believe that the challenges we face give us the opportunity to make things better at the center and to remember our decree that “kindness is at the forefront of beliefs”. I am so proud of the members for their voice throughout the past week. Now is the time to embrace all we have achieved in our amazing “home away from home”.

I want to state that at this time I am not leaving as I do not want the doors of the center to close: However, I need your help:

1.      Now is the time for us to Unite and remember as a collective we are powerful and all we have achieved needs to be honored. I believe our community is wonderful and we have so much to offer. Please support and join us as we work to keep the center open and moving forward. Your participation is needed more than ever.

2.      There is a lot of gossip out in the community and within ours. I want everyone to remember that words can hurt, and we need to heal. I want everyone to support the Center, and I want our community to see us in a positive light. We have had too much secrecy.

3.      This is not a time to demonize others. I want everyone to understand that Executive Board Members were volunteers and offer so much to our community. Board Members, many new, please hold on. We need to support each other and communicate:

a.      Jim West, our recently resigned President, has given so much to this community and is a good man. The Center may not have been the best fit…but he deserves our respect.

b.      Christine Yung, our recently resigned Treasurer, is an amazing woman who has given so much to the Center. She has been an amazing member, volunteer, and community supporter. I hope we open our arms and let her know she is loved.  I respect her and hope she comes back to us. I miss her.

There is a lot to resolve, and I am holding on to the best of my ability. I am not perfect but will always do my best.  We need to open up the lines of communication as all that matters are the members and our community. That is the first commitment we need to establish. Staff and I need to heal as well. We are working long hours and are tired.

We will be looking for members who love the center to step forward and help us during this tumultuous time. I truly believe that these moments help in creating a clearer picture for the future and are part of our growing pains. Let us embrace each other as we are stronger together.

I am unsure what the future holds for me and we have lots of conversations to have. All I know is that I do not want all we have built to disappear, and I want “Kindness to prevail”. I do not want the Center to close. “Senior Lives Matter”.

Please join us at the Center and know you are all in my heart.

Pete Nelson

Executive Director, Blaine Senior Center