About Us
Torrington's Department of Services for the Elderly was established in 1968. A dedicated staff of 64 people and 180 volunteers work passionately to administer services. The Sullivan Senior Center, located at 88 East Albert Street is a multipurpose Center, for people age 60 and over, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., evenings and weekends for special events. Over 5,000 people participated in programming this year. A 16-page full color newsletter entitled,” All About Us @ the Sullivan Senior Center” is published monthly with information outlining the activities, travel itineraries, menus, calendar of events and timely informational articles focusing on topics of importance and interest to older adults. Newsletters may be picked up at the Senior Center, mailed for a nominal fee or accessed on line at OurSeniorCenter.com.
Our members and the community generously support the Sullivan Senior Center. With kind giving and endowments, fundraiser support and help from The Park Avenue Thrift Shop, the Sullivan Senior Center has been able to complete projects born from necessity.
2013 and 2016 saw the renovation of our restrooms in our main building and our addition. Our beautiful new restrooms meet the sanitary needs of our members as well as their comfort and safety. In 2015 the Center was forced to replace a failed air conditioning/heating unit. That same year we were able to replace the dated and broken down tables used for dining and games. We also were able to begin a technology project that will prove to be beneficial for education of our members as well as their entertainment. None of this could have been done without the generosity of the anonymous donors of Ameriprise Financial, the kindness of a sister's gift in memory of her brother, a daughter's gift in memory of her mother and the support of our members and friends who embraced these projects making donations and participating in our fundraising efforts.
The Department can be described as a hub for one-stop shopping for older adults and continues to offer recreation, information and referral, insurance counseling, Income Tax assistance, computer assistance, iPad & iPhone classes, congregate meals, meals-on-wheels, transportation, chore services, a wide range of health screenings, flu shot clinics, Italian classes, AARP Safe Driver Course, educational seminars, an extensive travel program, legislative advocacy, community gardens, Wii Bowling, Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, Parkinsons Exercise Program, Seniorcize, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Line & Tap Dancing, Golden Groove, Zumba Gold, Billiards, craft and painting classes, chess, wood carving, Belles & Beaux Choral Group, holiday parties, Valentine Exchange w/ Torringford School students, Wednesday Afternoon Dance with music by The Tune Dusters, and volunteer opportunities. The Park Avenue Thrift Shop continues to thrive and generate income for the Center’s programming and building improvements.
The City of Torrington – Sullivan Senior Center is the grantee agency for three major grants, totaling $1,321,223. The Litchfield Hills/Northwest CT Elderly Nutrition Program served 207,964 congregate and meals-on-wheels, the Transportation Program gave 4,711 rides to medical appointments, the Torrington Chore Program provided 4,203 hours of in home service. The grants are funded with Federal, State and Local government dollars, client donations, private donations and fundraising dollars.