Northern Wake Senior Center open — again

No, the Northern Wake Senior Center is not cursed, but there has been a lot of cursing around it in recent years.
First there was a drawn-out planning and reconstruction that resulted in a beautiful new building with a larger parking lot and increased access. The staff had barely moved in when COVID hit. Like many other enterprises and businesses, the center closed its doors BUT, thanks to the generosity of the Wake Forest community, moved all of its important parts like the classes and meetings to other town locations.
COVID finally loosened its grip, and the center could reopen. Then came a thunderstorm on July 6, 2022 and the lightning strike on the roof and the resulting fire and water damage as Wake Forest firefighters quelled the flames.
Let Jennie Grigg, who is employed by Resources for Seniors as the director for both the Northern Wake Senior Center and the Eastern Wake Senior Center in Wendell, tell you what she, her staff and the hundreds of seniors who are members have experienced.
“The Northern Wake Senior Center is back in the building, as reported by Mickey Rochelle, after the lightning strike in July,” Griggs wrote during another busy time at Wake Forest’s senior center.
“The citizens of Northern Wake County had enjoyed the building for seven weeks before COVID openings and closings, and then we had to close again. Most would say there must be a spell surrounding the Senior Center Building; however, like COVID, the experience had its blessings.
‘The community of Wake Forest, including private citizens, public-private businesses and the town’s governance, including our favorite facilities & IT departments, were second to none throughout this journey. We are so blessed to live in a location where the community collectively collaborates to reach the common good.
The management team at the Senior Center was able to find ten off-site locations to continue our entire programming package. The Monday following the lightning incident, our staff had a home in a building across the street. Our regularly scheduled programs, classes and events were held at Perkins Counseling & Psychological building, the VFW Post 8466 building, several towns of Wake Forest Parks & Recreation facilities, the Cotton Company, the Corner, local churches, the Community House, The Crossings, The Renaissance and others.
“The Meals on Wheels program found a new home at The Forks. The food is so good there that they may not want to return home.
“Thanks again to all who supported us freely throughout this event.
“The 501c organization, Friends of Northern Wake Senior Center, came together and raised over 51K to assist us.
“How can you look at the negative? We are back in the building with a synergy developed at the height of madness. We have made so many connections and continue to have support daily. During our second week open, we had over 500 attendees and 50 new members, and it has not stopped.
“We had scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremonies and grand opening celebrations that have never occurred. Hopefully, we will have one in the not-too-distant future. You will not want to miss it.”
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