REAL Services celebrates the one-year anniversary of Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center celebrated their first anniversary today.

Speakers at the event included Mayor James Mueller who helped present awards to volunteers and proclaimed May 2026 "Older Americans Month" in South Bend, Indiana.

KJ Mapes, the CEO of REAL Services had this to say about the facility:

"I mean, we were hoping a few people would show up, and, I mean, we have close to 200 unique visits every month. We have nearly 380 members. We've been able to expand the use of the facility to include other events and participation. So, it really has become sort of the hub and a gathering place, which is really what we wanted to see. More than that, though, we wanted it to be a place that people felt comfortable coming to on a consistent basis, that they were building friendships. And I get to see that every time I come in, and when I get invited to sit down and play Euchre or to have lunch. And that's exactly what we wanted to see, particularly considering, you know, our needs assessment said that, you know, 41% of seniors in our area had said that they experience isolation or loneliness, and so we're definitely have seen that this addresses that and gives meaning and purpose and just a place for seniors to know that they're welcome and can participate and or just come and Sit, and that's what we wanted for this facility."

"One of the things for us with the with it being near downtown, it allows us to tap into folks that may be on foot or that live in the neighborhood. We do have people that also drive here from a ways out. So, I think it's just it was the right layout for a building, which finding that with something that's already built, I think, is great, and then having it be so accessible within this area of town for folks has been great to see them use it."

"I think the biggest challenge was just getting people aware of the fact that we were open and getting the program started. So, you know, we had to ask folks what they were interested in, and then, you know, modify those as we went. And I honestly think the biggest success was people telling people about it, like, I'm going to the senior center. You should come with me. And that's, that's really the magic is where it happens. You can advertise all you want, but you know, we have folks from New Carlisle that come up. We have some folks that live now down near Plymouth, and they heard about it from other people. And so, you know, that's really what we wanted to see, is it to grow organically, and it really has done that, and that's really what we wanted to see. And with having outside organizations come in, they help spread the word. It increases the interest in things going on here, and that's really what we wanted to see, and that's what's been accomplished"

"For this facility. One of the things that that really draws our older adults in are those ongoing things like games and activities. So, our, one of our biggest draws is Euchre, which is great. The seniors love that. But it's really become neat to see the amount of growth in the areas of art. We have folks that come in and, you know, people will say, I don't know how to paint. I've never painted before, but now that class is full. Every time we do it, it's led by an older adult couple. They brought the program to us. We have another artist that's now coming in here and doing that, and then with that, we also have done, you know, knitting, crocheting. And so, the art piece has grown a little bit more. It's on all of our walls, and so that's really neat to see people feel confident in coming and trying things out. So that's been one of our biggest growth the other has been our fitness and exercise programs. We have a chair yoga program that used to be offered somewhere else in the community, and she was able to come here and brought her folks with her. And so, chair yoga is very popular, as well as our fitness classes, and we're starting to get some dance classes, which the members have asked for. And so that's been fun to see because it makes the center lively. It gives people different activities, and they're willing to try new things."

"For me, one of the strongest measurements of the success of this building. And I'll just tell you stories. We had a 94-year-old that her daughter would bring her to the center. She didn't participate in a lot. She generally just kind of stayed to herself, but she wanted to be here, and so she had her daughter bring her. Unfortunately, she passed away in December, but her daughter still comes and visits, because she knows all the seniors and they know her, and so she now comes and volunteers and will come to our events and be a participant, because she found a place, not just for her mom, but she found connection as well, and for us, those connections, to me is what really tells the story. When I look at people that didn't know each other six eight months ago, and now they're checking up on each other when they're not at the center. If they don't show up, they're going to get a phone call because they're going to say, why weren't you at Euchre this week? To me, that's the real measurement of did we accomplish the goal of creating connection and belonging in a place like this?"

Marilyn Nace, an Ambassador/Volunteer at the Senior Enrichment Center tells us:

"I think the most important thing is the way that our attendance has grown. We started out with just three days a week. I was helping the man Sandy, the director, before we ever opened, and we were trying to put programs together. And we people were a little shy about coming, and now we have, now they're open five days a week, and we have the programs available, and the attendance is great. It's been a great success.

We have a gentleman here that's 96 years old, and he comes in to play cards twice a week. Made great friends. It brightens his day. I've seen a lot of people just really flourish from being able to have the social contact.  I love being able to give to people, and I've got the time and the ability and the opportunity to do it, and it's just very rewarding.

All it really takes is just a smile and a handshake and knowing that you've helped somebody brighten their day and make them not feel alone."