If you’re age 55 or older chances are you already, or soon will, benefit from the huge range of services provided by East Valley Adult Resources. The private non-profit agency operates Mesa’s two active adult centers, as well as Apache Junction’s.
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Top: The dining room at the Red Mountain Active Adult Center. Above: The spacious vestibule of the center is a great place to relax and catch up with friends. Below: John Cicero, left, and Jim Hockett enjoy a game
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Dan TaylorThe list of activities, programs and services offered by EVAR is extensive and growing, ranging from nutritious meals provided at the centers as well as delivered to homes, games, entertainment, fitness and wellness programs, to continuing education courses and seminars on legal and financial matters.
“Our goal is to keep people healthy and independent,” said Dan Taylor, EVAR’s CEO. “One way is to help people be responsible for their own health. We serve everyone who comes in, but we also have outreach services for those who can’t come in. We want to help people prevent crises before they occur.”
Now in its fourth decade of serving the East Valley’s older population, EVAR is a partner agency of Mesa United Way, which provides funding for the Meals on Wheels, Assistance for Independent Living and outreach programs.
A typical day at the east Mesa center, located in the Red Mountain Community Center, might involve chatting with friends at the café, playing cards, bingo or billiards, attending a fitness class, and being entertained by a school chorus.
Anyone looking for an opportunity to put their experience and skills to work helping others is welcome to join EVAR’s large corps of volunteers, many of whom work in the centers while others deliver meals and ferry non-driving clients to and from the centers. Drivers who use their own vehicles are compensated.
Besides meals, other in-home services provided through EVAR include housekeeping and personal care. There are also programs to help people who are taking care of a sick or frail family member or friend.
EVAR’s three active adult centers are:
Downtown Mesa - 247 N. Macdonald St., Mesa, 85201; 480-962-5612
Red Mountain - 7550 E. Adobe St., Mesa, 85207; 480-218-2221
Apache Junction - 1035 N. Idaho Road, Apache Junction, 85219; 480-474-5260
To volunteer: East Valley RSVP - 480-775-1466
More online: www. evadultresources.org