We are asking from each member and guest:

• Check your forehead temperature at the machine in the hallway.  It's actually informational and FUN!
• Use hand sanitizer at the beginning and end of each activity or entrance/exit of a room.

Welcome to the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center….here are some quick links for your ease of browsing:

• April - May 2024 GMHSC Newsletter
• April 2024 calendar ONLY (with changes, if necessary) 
  • calendar activities subject to change, check FB or call if there are any questions!
• Make sure to like and FOLLOW our FACEBOOK page - this is where the most up to date information is posted!
• Our Senior Center informational flyer click here.  

HOURS:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00pm
***Select extended hours for scheduled activities. Please see the monthly calendar.***

LOCATION:
Peterson Building, 310 West Main St., Washington, NC 27889 – use the Google Map LINK HERE to find us!

Any local seniors age 55+ are welcome to join and participate in our activities and events. This is an exclusive club for adults - anyone under age 55 will have to wait at the door or in the car until they turn 55. :o)  ***See staff for any exceptions to this rule. Thank you for understanding!

We are a gun and weapon free facility.  Also, no pets or comfort animals of any kind/type. Dedicated and trained SERVICE ANIMALS only.

We kindly ask that ALL members enter through the main entrance which is located on the side of the building opposite the “big orange caboose”.

TO JOIN:
Please complete an application, which is available at the front desk.  You can also download and print it HERE.
Then just bring it in to the center.  There is NO COST to join, and the vast majority of our programs are free or very low cost.

For safety purposes, we ask that all members wear their ID badge (provided when you join) when using the Center.   Also, each member MUST check-in at the kiosk (with your bar code; provided when you join) in the main lobby any time you visit the center.

Please read below for more information about programs, events, and activities.  If you have any questions, feel free to call us at any time.

Contact information:

Call us: 252-975-9368 or
email us: seniorcenterwashington@gmail.com

We hope to see you soon!

Mission Statement

The mission of the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center, as a division of the City of Washington Parks and Recreation Department, is to provide programs and activities to enhance the quality of life and promote independent living for area adults 55 and older. The Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center is a certified Senior Center of Excellence.  Centers of Excellence are those that go above and beyond what typical centers provide for their senior populations.  We strive to provide exemplary service to individuals 55 and older.

We provide a wide array of services and activities to meet the needs of the community.  We offer a variety of on-going programs, trips, special events, and fun activities. Whether you are interested in lively exercise classes or learning a new skill, you will find that and everything in between here! Check out our monthly calendar for all of the details.

Volunteer Opportunities

Share your talents at the Senior Center.  You can lead programs and activities; serve on boards and committees; work as front desk receptionist and help plan special events. Contact the Senior Center on the opportunities that are available or click →Volunteer_Job_Descriptions to see a listing of possible available volunteer jobs.

Regular Programs Offered:

• Aerobics – get your body moving for an hour of heart beating exercise
• AHOY (chair exercise) – if you have limited mobility, this is a great exercise to start with.
• Card Games
1. Bridge
2. Canasta
3. Hand & Foot
• Mah Jong – ancient Chinese tile game, it’s nothing like the computer game.  Come try it out.
• BINGO – get 5 in a row, win at bingo.
• Computer Classes – learn how to surf the net, operate windows, or get tips for more efficient web site surfing.
• Painting – all forms of painting and painters welcome, bring your supplies for a fellowship of painters.
• Quilting & Sewing/Needlepoint – whatever form of sewing/crafting you do, join the group and be creative.
• Tai Chi – gentle movement exercise designed for wellness of body and mind; low to no impact.
• Yoga (Wednesday mornings - VIRTUAL on our Facebook page) – mainly chair and standing Yoga is done in this class.
• Mat Yoga (evening) – traditional Yoga class.
• Traditional Music Group Performances by the Beaufort Co. Traditional Music Association.
• Click HERE for a list of all of our available exercise classes!

Groups & Clubs

• Pamlico Senior Club
• Golden Card Ladies – re-purpose and recycle greeting cards to distribute to those in need
• Book Club (River Readers) – monthly meeting about a selected book to read and discuss
• Grand Ideas (Grandparents raising grandchildren)
• Diabetic Support Group – (not meeting at this time due to Covid-19 staffing issues; sorry.) for anyone with diabetes or people caring for someone with the disease. Led by a certified facilitator.
• Caregivers Support Group - If you're a caregiver for a loved one, this is the place for you.  Meet with like-minded individuals, led by a certified facilitator.
• Grief Support Group - anyone struggling with sadness is welcome to attend.  Lead by a certified facilitator.

Walk In Activities

• Billiards Room – our busiest room in the facility!
• Fitness Room – full of exercise equipment, such as treadmills, bicycles, and light weights
• Media Room – read the local newspaper, check out a book from our extensive library, or put together a puzzle.
• Computer Lab – 4 computers for surfing the net, and 1 dedicated for game playing. One computer also has a web camera for participating in Zoom-type virtual events and chatting with friends.
• Bistro Room - come on upstairs and sit down, bring your own lunch, and enjoy the TV in a bistro-like setting.

Special Events

• Lunch and Learn Programs
• Lifelong Learning Programs
• Movies – Every 2nd Friday & Seasonal, with a small concession stand serving popcorn/soda/candy
• Fall Festival and Spring Fling seasonal events
• Christmas Party – the most attended event of the year!
• Advocacy events - tell our legislators who's important: seniors!

Services/Screenings

• Grief Support
• Grand Ideas Support Group - for grandparents raising grandchildren
• Caregiver Support Group
• Blood Pressure Checks – Every Tuesday from 10-11am
• Flu Shots – as scheduled during the season
• AARP Taxes – as scheduled during the tax season (Feb-April).  Call the Center for more information.
• AARP Driver’s Class
• Volunteer Training
• Information & Assistance
  1. Caregiver Assistance
  2. SHIIP – Senior Health Insurance Information Program
  3. Home Repair referrals

Travel
        ****All travel trips have been suspended. We do not anticipate restarting trips until further notice.****

• Day Trips – baseball games, the beach, etc.  There's a lot to see and do in NC and it's all so close to us!

Evidence Based Classes

• Matter of Balance
• Chronic Disease Self Management

Senior Games Activities

• Basketball
• Swimming
• Shuffle Board
• Pickleball
• Cornhole
• Silver Arts (painting, dance, etc.)