Good day Seniors..Today I want to share a very unique facility called ‘action pact’ tucked in behind Ogeechee Hospice at 235 Granade Street in Statesboro.
ALL of my visits around Statesboro and Bulloch county are always interesting and filled with information that was totally unknown to me . This visit in particular is NOT any different ‘action pact’ of Bulloch County was OUTSTANDING!!
‘action pact’ is a non-profit organization with a team that is totally SOLD OUT to giving seniors a place to socialize, develop FRIENDSHIPS, stimulate the BRAIN and most of all have FUN.
In 2018, ‘action pact’ previously known as Concerted Services, has a defined Monday - Friday Senior program ( 9:30am -1pm). They provide transportation if needed (via Coastal Regional Coaches) at NO charge or you can come in your own vehicle and leave at your leisure.
Hot lunches and a variety of activities including a TV room, exercise facility, arts/crafts activities and a computer lounge are available. Senior activities also include field trips, birthday celebrations, entertainment visits from talented individuals in Statesboro in Bulloch county along with usual Bingo, bicycle riding, and numerous others too many to mention.
Health and Fitness education is available from Georgia Southern Nursing students. Have I piqued your interest YET ??
FUN and FELLOWSHIP is their GOAL. The seniors range in age from 60 to 90 years old with a minimal dues from $1.00 to $5.00 that is optional for special events.
OHHHH, did I tell YOU they have a choir with 15 members that perform throughout Statesboro and Bulloch county. Senior Mobility is limited but they are self-reliant . “Personal relationships with every member is their goal” says Alicia Dickerson, Outreach Coordinator for ‘action pact’.
Ways they help seniors
This ‘non-profit’ organization helps the community in different ways. Funding from Federal, State, Local governments and of course private donations help them improve their programs.
Their mission at action pact’ is to strive to create Equal Opportunity by prioritizing progress over programs . With ‘action pact’s’ help our community will be full of neighbors who can support their families, boost their education and contribute to their communities. Other than their Senior Program they have 4 different programs:
- LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance program.
- LIHWAP stands for Low Income Household Water Assistance program
- MEALS on WHEELS that serve 110 members in the community weekly
- Weatherization program which helps homes become more energy efficient
MR. TOBY
Today SENIORS, I want to celebrate their wonderful Senior entertainment program conducted on my visit by MR. TOBY and his monthly visit to ‘action pact’. Mr Toby comes as a TRUE entertainer, GUARANTEED. He is always welcomed with extreme joy and participation. His style and personality was FULL of enthusiasm with a 70-80’s music theme. Everyone received a CD from Mr. TOBY to take home with songs like ‘Rainy Night in Georgia, Having a Party and Stagger Lee which were all on his playlist. His DJ style was most inviting with the BIG boom boxes etc that goes along with the theme. Dancing,singing and a lot of laughter and enjoyment filled the room. Everyone including Alicia and staff members participated. LOT’S of FUN and SMILES abound!!! MR TOBY recommended a beauty pageant and the shouts of joy and laughter exhilarated. YES! YES! bring it on!! .’WHO will judge?’, one shouted . NOT me replied MR TOBY jokingly!
Alicia Dickerson
Serving our seniors isn’t a job, it's an honor, says Alicia Lynn Dickerson the Outreach coordinator for ‘action pact’. Alicia married her high school and best friend Alston, together they have two sons Kyler 14 years old and Lincoln 9 .She attended school in Stillmore, Georgia and in 2008 began working for the Boys and Girls club till 2013.
In 2014. Alicia went back to college and received a double degree in psychology and sociology. In 2018 Alicia began working at ‘action pact ‘ as an Intake Clerk then moved to Van Driver and learned ALL the positions from the ground floor up.
Allcia commented that her Mother was the greatest influence and mentor in her life. Both Alicia and her mother worked at the Boys and Girls club and later her Mother moved into the Outreach Coordinator/Activity Coordinator at ‘action pact’. When Alicia’s Mother passed suddenly Alicia was asked to take the position.
After sometime and with a lot of hesitation she accepted this position and knew that this is the place she needed to be. She said “I love my job, I love the relationships I get to build with my seniors. I have known most of them for the many years I have been employed with ‘action pact’. But now I get to know them at a different level. I respect them look up to them learn from them and genuinely love them. I believe that ‘action pact’ is where chosen friends become family, that's exactly what we are Family.”
‘At Action pact’ they deliberately have an ‘open door policy ' every question is an important question and everyone interacts in a Hands-On manner.
Alex Smith
Another very important member of ‘action pact’s team is Alex Leon Smith. Alex has served as the county coordinator for ‘action pact’ for more than 20 years. Alex also dedicates his spare time to working with troubled youth by serving as a Director and Human Services professional with Four Seasons of Love Youth Home.
Grown up in Swainsboro, Georgia with a close-knit family, Alex has a dynamic wife, April, three beautiful children, Marcus, Jazz, Camille and a bonus daughter Chailaya. He prides himself in being a Grand Daddy to his Love Bug ,Kaliegh.
Alex is a graduate from Swainsboro High School and furthered his career field by obtaining a Bachelor’s in degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Human Services from Capella University and South University.
How to join
On my visit everyone at ‘action pact’ I noticed that a ‘everyone had a welcome attitude.
Soooo if you:
- live in Bulloch county
- are low income household
- are 60 or older looking for fun and friendship
- are a senior adult needing assistance to stay in your home
You are eligible to join ‘action pact’.
Contact the 'action pact' Bulloch Senior Center 912-489-1604 today and Alicia will walk you through the steps of joining them.
Seniors, do you want to join, volunteer, visit, or make an informative presentation?
Alicia has an open ear, feel free to call her. She says ‘NO ONE is turned away.'
Alicia closed our visit with one of her favorite quotes by Mrs. Coretta Scott King “the greatness of the community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.“
This was a VERY SPECIAL ….Senior Moment!
Have a Senior Moment idea you want me to share?
Join my mission to get seniors back out into our community, discovering ways they can stay active, be appreciated and live a healthier life.
How can you help? Share with me your FRESH ideas, senior activities you would like me to share, senior needs not met. I am waiting on your email at [email protected] …. I would like to know and share. Until then …
Enjoy your Senior Moment in Bulloch County!!
