Community
BY ANDREW CREELMAN
The Center’s dining room provides daily lunches to members alongside various events and community celebrations.
PHOTOS BY ANDREW CREELMAN COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Center provides community, kinship to seniors Having a purpose and a sense of community are two things that Olivia Burdick said are key to supporting our local seniors.
The local impact Not only does The Center provide a safe space for area seniors, but Burdick said they also partici- pate in a number of community programs. “My favorite part about The Center is knowing that every day we are signi cantly impacting a life,” Burdick said. Sta and volunteers at the facility help to run a Meals on Wheels welfare program across the area, where over 56,000 meals are served to Kendall County residents each year, according to Burdick. Additionally, there’s a public thrift shop on-site where anyone can buy or donate used items. Mer- chandise includes clothing, collectibles, household items and more at the shop. Mapping it out “The Center is really here to support social connection and nutrition,” Burdick said. “Those are the two top priorities.” In 2024, Burdick said there were over 60,000 check-ins for activities throughout the year, with 220 people coming into the building each day for programming. Additionally, around 17,000 meals were served to seniors at The Center through their daily lunch program. “It’s bringing a daily wellness check, a daily friendly face and a meal all in one,” Burdick said. Seniors are a piece of the population that is often overlooked by many, and Burdick said The Center is just one important step in supporting that community in the long run.
“Being here to advocate for our local seniors is so important,” Burdick said. “It’s a population that is often not the priority for a lot of people.” Burdick is the CEO of The Center, a community facility for seniors 55 and older in Boerne, serving residents not just in the Hill Country but also the greater San Antonio area. The facility rst opened back in 2010 and was originally known as the Rainbow Senior Center. What’s special about it? The Center o ers just about any kind of hobby, activity and class, ranging from Zumba classes to meditation to watercolor painting. The main building, called Kronkosky Place, is the central hub for these activities. Along with a library and dining area, Burdick said there are also classrooms, a practice chipping green for golf and tness areas on the campus. “We truly are a community center focused on people 55 and older,” Burdick said. “Many of the events and activities here are facilitated by community partners in and around Boerne.” Burdick said that anyone in Boerne and beyond can walk right into The Center to get started with joining the community. “We’ve had people come from Comfort and even Fredericksburg,” Burdick said. Seniors and families from all across the San Antonio area are welcome, according to Burdick.
Olivia Burdick is the CEO of The Center, beginning her tenure with the company as an intern.
Activities at The Center
Wellness screenings
Field trips
Celebrations
Support groups
Dances
Financial training
Health education classes
SOURCE: THE CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT
BANDERA RD.
OLD SAN ANTONIO RD.
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17 Old San Antonio Road, Boerne www.thecenterboerne.org
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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