A senior citizens center that Brookhaven residents have beeneagerly anticipating could be just around the corner if communitymembers will put pen to paper for the cause.

For several years, the city has been considering a seniorcitizens center and this year set aside $100,000 for the project.Officials recently opted to pursue a Community Development BlockGrant to help fund the endeavor, but the public’s help isneeded.

“One requirement is that letters are received from seniorcitizens stating a need from the center – just a handwritten letterthat states an individual’s need and desire for a center for seniorcitizens,” said Ward Four Alderwoman Shirley Estes.

Mayor Bob Massengill said the center will be run through theBrookhaven Recreation Department. He expects it to be a goodsituation not only for the seniors of the community to socialize,but also find education and entertainment. He said ideally therewill be opportunities for seniors to take classes, watchtelevision, and have fellowship.

Massengill said seniors who are interested in seeing a centerbuilt in Brookhaven, as well as civic-minded members of thecommunity, can write a letter stating the community’s need for thefacility and drop it off at his office at the Government Complex.They may also be mailed to P.O. Box 560, Brookhaven, MS, 39602.

“We will accept a letter from anyone that wants to write one,”he said. “The more letters, the better.”

Among other possible uses, Massengill mentioned Copiah-LincolnCommunity College’s Smart Aging Healthy Futures program, sayingthat potentially he’d like to see the senior citizens center be aplace for gathering information as well.

“We would hope that we would be able to improve health andhealth care accessibility for seniors by having health promotionactivities and educational programs that would appeal to the agingpopulation among other things,” he said.

Smart Aging Healthy Futures Program Coordinator Evelyn Peavysaid her program has provided a forum for senior citizens to voicewhat they believe to be the needs of their communities, and the toppriority from the discussions was a senior center.

“Along with that, some of the other priorities and most of theother issues they identified are ones that could also be addressedthrough a senior citizens center,” she said.

Peavy said transportation issues and need for a central point ofinformation gathering are also high on the list.

“They also mentioned the need for a central information pointwhere they could find out what services are available, because somethings are identified as needed and we have those services in thecommunity but people don’t know about it,” she said. “Of coursewe’re thinking a senior center would be an ideal place to provideinformation. “

Peavy said it is also important for seniors to be able to have aplace where they can receive help on things they may not be able todo for themselves anymore.

“A lot of times people are healthy and can do things forthemselves, but certain things around the house they can’t do orit’s not wise to do,” she said. “So to just help them be able tostay in their own home and continue to be independent can help themout a lot.”

Massengill said not only has the Smart Aging Healthy Futuresprogram found a senior citizens center to be a need, so has theBoard of Aldermen.

“Several years ago, the board came up with a list of priorities,and one was a senior citizens center,” he said. “I want it to be afun place to go, a place where people can look forward togoing.”

The project – if the grant is given – is still over a year downthe road, Massengill said, but that’s part of why the CDBG grant isso important. The sooner the center is established, the better.

“I want us to be realistic, because we are applying for thegrant and we have to do so by early April, so we will knowsomething by May or June, then plans would need to be drawn anddeveloped,” he said. “This is not just a few months away, but maybeeven a year or more down the road – if we get the CDBGfunding.”