Mission Statement
The primary purpose of the Willits Senior Center is to assist Seniors within the greater Willits City area, to provide needed services to Willits Seniors including but not limited to nutrition, financial assistance, social inspiration and transportation and to promote the general welfare of Willits Seniors by providing a meeting place for social gatherings, education, and activities.
History
In 1968, a group of Willits women got together to do something for the senior community. They called themselves the Willits Community League.
In early 1968 North Coast Opportunities (NCO) hired an outreach worker to help Willits seniors who needed assistance. This was discontinued in 1970 due to lack of funds.
In the latter part of 1973 an interest in a senior center came to the surface. Bettye Bayes, Frank Rust and Maude McClusky got together and made a proposal to the NCO board. The board was favorably impressed and said they would do what they could. However, it was County Supervisor Harvey Sawyers who got the ball rolling. He talked with the directors of the Ukiah and Ft. Bragg senior centers, got their support and then took it to the Board of Supervisors. They gave $2500 to the Ukiah center to get a Willits center going.
The Willits Senior Center’s first meeting was on April 9, 1974 and it was officially incorporated in July 1974. The first center “home” was a house on Humboldt St. and John Bromley was the first center Director.
After some seniors had remodeled the house, there was an Open House on November 17, 1974. The first 100 seniors to sign up would be the Charter Members of the Willits Senior Center. Since there was no kitchen, all lunches were delivered from the Ukiah center. There were many activities held at the new center.
By 1977 the space had become totally outgrown so in April 1978 they moved to the Womens Improvement Club building. In July they began serving meals out of their own kitchen.
Early in 1979 they procured their first vehicle for transporting seniors and by September 1980 there was discussion about a second vehicle.
After many years with making do with an inadequate facility, Bob and Jayne Harrah announced that they would donate the land and a new facility to the Senior Center. Eric Glassey was the Director at this time.
In April of 1987 ground was broken for the new facility on Baechtel Road. This is the home of the Willits Senior Center today.
Board of Directors
- President – Sue Sawyers
- Vice President – Jim King
- Treasurer – Melinda Hays
- Secretary – Dorothy Roediger
- Member – Virginia Jorge
- Member – Brenda Reno
- Member – Carol Brown
- Member – Cathie Gernhardt
Administrative Staff
- Director – Richard Baker
- Volunteer Coordinator/Meals on Wheels Coordinator – Joliana Rosado
- Bookkeeper – Greg Mudd
Facility Rentals
Planning an event? – We have the space to host it! Contact Administrative Coordinator Joliana Rosado at 707-459-6827 for more information. You can download a WSI Room Rental Agreement by clicking HERE.
- Award Banquets
- Birthday Parties
- Classes
- Meetings
- Memorial Services
- Reunions
- Special Events
- Wedding Receptions
Main Dining Hall: Capacity: 120 – 8 Person Round Tables or 200 for Classroom Seating. Rental Times: Monday thru Friday After 2:00 pm and all weekend.
Large Conference Room: Capacity: 14 at Conference Table or 20 Classroom Seating. Rental Times: Monday thru Friday as available and all weekend
Patio: Seating capacity: 60
Food: Industrial-size kitchen. We also offer catering
Emergency Center
During a power outage, Willits Senior Center offers:
- A safe place to get warm during cold spells
- A cool-down station during heat waves
- A charging station for personal or medical devices
- A hydration station during heat waves
- Provides food if needed