A Vibrant Hub of Community Care
Nestled in a quiet neighborhood near Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital, Fayette County Senior Citizen Center (FSCC) is a bustling hub dedicated to residents age 55 and older. Established in 1979, the Center promotes friendship, recreation, and other essential services for Fayette County’s retired and senior adults.
Formerly known as The Golden Circle, the Center is overseen by the Board of the Fayette County Senior Citizen Services Organization.
Located at 616 W. Jackson Ave., the Center’s property was actually purchased by the City of Vandalia after expenses for repairs and maintenance became too much for the organization to continue to support on their own.
The city made a generous gesture by leasing the building back to the board for just $1.00 annually. At the time of the property transfer, Mayor Ricky J. Gottman prepaid the organization’s lease for twenty years, securing the Center’s future in Fayette County.
According to the City of Vandalia website, the Fayette County Senior Citizen Center has the following core objectives:
Cultivate awareness of the invaluable contributions of senior citizens
Instill a sense of personal worth in older adults
Foster camaraderie among seniors across the county
Ensure no senior lacks access to life’s necessities
Encourage and extend the creative capabilities of older residents
Offer programs that promote aging with dignity and pride
The Center is home to several key programs, including the CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Meals on Wheels, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
Meals on Wheels
With a mission
to keep seniors healthy, Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors. So much more than just a meal, the program provides a daily check on the home-bound by a caring volunteer.
Congregate dining at the Center is also offered each weekday at 11:30 am. Monthly menus are available, with a suggested donation of $4.25 per meal.
Bob Evans, Board President for the Center speaks highly of these shared meals.“It’s a great place to find fellowship. Soon the people here feel like family,” he enthused.
All meals must be requested at least one day in advance. For reservations or to be added to the Meals on Wheels route, seniors can contact Deb Segrest, the program’s site supervisor, at (618) 283-1040.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
RSVP, an AmeriCorps Seniors initiative, connects older adults with meaningful volunteer opportunities tailored to their interests and skills. Volunteers support Meals on Wheels, assist local food pantries, participate in special projects, and support community churches and nonprofit organizations.
Last December, RSVP volunteers spread holiday cheer by signing and delivering cards to over 150 residents in Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Long Term Care Unit in Vandalia, Aperion Care in St. Elmo, and Willowbrook Memory Care of Vandalia.
This January, RSVP volunteers are signing Valentines to be sent to troops overseas.
They are also hosting a puzzle drive, encouraging seniors to donate puzzles and assist with verifying their piece counts before donating them to Lighthouse Pregnancy & Health Services for resale in their Thrift Store.
The Center is also a donation site for the 2025 Souper Bowl of Caring, helping to tackle hunger across Fayette County.
Staff are also actively recruiting volunteers for programs like Pencil Pals, an intergenerational letter exchange with schoolchildren across Fayette County. To learn more about all the volunteer opportunities available, contact Adrienne Wright, the program’s specialist, at (217) 994-0109.
Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
During open enrollment, CEFS staff at the Center offer the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), a free service providing Medicare counseling for beneficiaries and caregivers. Trained SHIP counselors explain various Medicare plans, financial assistance options, and answer questions about Parts B and D, Medicare supplements, and enrollment.
Community and Social Activities
The Center also hosts regular events to keep seniors engaged, including monthly dinnertime potlucks, educational presentations, and hobby groups. The highlight of the year is the summer ice cream social, where seniors gather to fundraise for the Center’s continued operation.
In the evenings and on weekends, after regular Center hours, the site is also available for rent, so that members of the community can make good use of its full kitchen, large event space, and convenient location. Several local organizations use the Center to hold their monthly meetings, including the Vandalia Lions Club.
The Center does face challenges, starting with the misconception that it primarily serves low-income senior citizens. While it does provide valuable programming for this community, it is so much more.
"There is a kind of stigma about coming here,” shared senior center attendee and volunteer Jan Evans. “People believe you have need help or that we just sit around. I worked for thirty years in a factory. Coming and helping here gives me a continued sense of purpose. We have educational programs and guest speakers. It’s not a dull place.”
Later this month, both mayoral candidates for the City of Vandalia’s consolidated election this April will hold meet and greets at the Center prior to the congregate meal at 11:00 am. Doug Knebel will be speaking with seniors on January 23, 2025 and Bobby Pate Jr. will address diners on January 30, 2025.
Every day, seniors come to the Center to lend a hand and spend time together. From piano performances to vibrant seasonal gatherings, there’s always something happening at the Fayette Senior Citizens Center. It’s a welcoming place where seniors can stay active, informed, and connected to their community.