2025 Transition
Northern Wake Senior Center to transition to Town of Wake Forest July 1, 2025
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Town of Wake Forest will assume operational and programming responsibilities for the Northern Wake Senior Center (NWSC).
To help ensure a smooth transition, the Town has assembled a Senior Center Operations Transition Team chaired by Assistant Town Manager Candace Davis. Comprised of staff from Risk Management, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources, IT, Budget, Finance, Facilities, Human Resources, and Communications, the team is working with Resources for Seniors and NWSC Director Jennie Griggs and her staff on a plan that will – as seamlessly as possible - add the NWSC to the Town’s municipal structure as its own department.
We have created this page as a resource you can reference to stay informed on the status of the transition and up to date on transition-related news.
Please take a moment to review our Transition Tenets, which highlight the benefits of the transition and emphasize our commitment to the Senior Center's continued success. Also, to help you separate "fact" from "fiction," we provide answers to several Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have a question about the transition you don't see answered below, click on the "Contact Us" button to access our online form and submit your question. We'll do our best to respond within 24 hours.
Message from Mayor Vivian Jones
Since 1994 the Northern Wake Senior Center (NWSC), 235 E. Holding Ave., has offered members of our aging community a place to come together to connect - and enrich and enhance their mind, body, and spirit.
The Town of Wake Forest owns the facility and the land on which it sits. Throughout our partnership with Resources for Seniors, we have maintained the facility and the land, while they provided operational support and programming, including an impressive array of educational classes and social events.
Beginning July 1, 2025, Wake Forest will assume those same responsibilities for the NWSC. Resources for Seniors will continue to provide service coordination and human services efforts here, as has been their county-wide model and commitment to other town-operated senior centers. Read the full message>>
Transition Plan Presentation
On January 17, 2025, Assistant Town Manager Candace Davis presented the Northern Wake Senior Center Transition Plan to the Board of Commissioners during their annual retreat. The PowerPoint presentation is provided below. Additional details about the transition will be provided in the days to come.
Northern Wake Senior Center to become Wake Forest Center for Active Aging
During her February 17 State of the Town Address, Mayor Vivian Jones announced that beginning July 1 the Northern Wake Senior Center will change its name to the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging.
The name change was suggested by Senior Center staff who say the term “senior” too often has a negative connotation that denotes ageism and frailty. When asked to recommend an appropriate new name, Director Jennie Griggs and her team suggested that “active aging” be considered to promote a positive view of aging and emphasize the center’s array of active adult programs and initiatives.
As a useful example, in a recent month, the senior center offered 50 fitness classes, 18 arts & crafts classes, and nine computer and language classes. Additionally, 18 health and support groups met, along with 17 different clubs. It’s clear the center serves a very active community!
The new name will take effect July 1 when the Town assumes operational and programming responsibilities for the facility.
Transition Tenets
The Town of Wake Forest recognizes and values the Northern Wake Senior Center as the focal point for programs and initiatives that educate and engage our community’s aging population.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to continuing to offer the high-quality programming you currently enjoy.
Initial Operations
For the first 12 months of operations, we intend to keep intact the classes, programs, support groups, and other initiatives the Senior Center currently offers. We will use this time to gather input, assess classes, and evaluate needs and other issues. We will work together to adjust programs and processes as needed to ensure any issues are resolved in advance of 2026-2027.
Funding & Management Stability
We believe that in addition to providing a reliable funding source, the transition of the Senior Center to the Town will improve the stability of operations. As a future Town department, the Senior Center will participate in the Town’s annual budget process which will help ensure sufficient funding to hire staff, effectively manage operations, and expand programming, as needed. The Senior Center will also have access to other Town resources which will allow it to pursue grants and partnerships in our community and beyond.
Enhanced Capacity
We understand the Senior Center is at capacity, so in the short-term, we will work to address current space limitations by exploring opportunities to utilize other Town facilities. We believe this will be a huge step towards increasing the availability of programs to more participants. Looking forward, we have included a second senior center in the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan.
Local Advantage
Being able to manage operations locally and utilize the Town’s assets and resources will improve communications, enhance transparency, and help ensure the Senior Center continues offering programming that meet the needs of our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Senior Center become part of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources?
No. The NWSC will become its own department - not a division under the PRCR.
Four departments currently comprise the Town's Quality-of-Life team.
Town Clerk’s Office
Renaissance Centre for the Arts
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources; and
Downtown Development
Beginning July 1, 2025, the NWSC will join these four as the newest department under Quality-of-Life.
Will NWSC be able to schedule classes and utilize facilities that are under the PRCR? Like the classes and events, the NWSC schedules with the WF Renaissance Centre?
Yes, the Senior Center will be able to schedule classes and utilize PRCR facilities.
For example, in order to help alleviate space limitations at the NWSC and allow for greater numbers of participants, it is possible that some classes could be offered at the Wake Forest Community House.
Will there be a standing work group composed of staff from WF Renaissance Centre, PRCR, and NWSC to work on the schedule of events, locations, and assets?
Yes. Transition team staff representatives from the Renaissance Centre, PRCR and NWSC are already working together to coordinate programming, transitioning registration software, coordination with instructors, etc.
How will that be prioritized?
We plan to keep the Senior Center classes, programs, etc. intact for the first year. We will work with the transition team and Senior Center staff to monitor classes and registration issues. We will make adjustments to ensure any noted issues are resolved going into year two.
Will the NWSC be listed in the front of the RecConnect as one of the Town facilities?
Yes. All our other centers/facilities are listed in RecConnect. We are working with the Communications Department to make necessary updates to RecConnect and are also exploring other possibilities, including a printed program guide specifically for the NWSC.
Since there will be a transition in the registration process from Schedule Plus to Rec Desk, will the classes and activities be included in RecConnect in its own section?
We are assessing our options.
The WF Renaissance Centre currently has its own section in RecConnect, so including a similar section for the Senior Center is clearly an option. However, due to the sheer magnitude of Senior Center offerings (it currently hosts approximately 164 programs and activities) it is more than likely the Senior Center will have its own program guide. This would allow us to more effectively accommodate and promote all of the great information about the center and its various offerings.
The Communications Department is leading this effort. They will work with Senior Center staff to receive information for the various programs and activities. We are tentatively planning to publish the first Senior Center program guide in the fall of 2025.
However, until then, we will utilize space in future editions of RecConnect to direct community members to complete information about Senior Center programming, registration, etc.
Will the NWSC have its own website, newsletters, and communications team?
The Communications Department is already collaborating with NWSC staff to coordinate the Senior Center's communications efforts.
In 2024 our Communications Department created a monthly newsletter - Senior Center Dispatch - and updated the NWSC webpage that is currently housed on the Town website.
Communications will continue working with the Senior Center staff to further enhance their webpage, social media presence, and other publications.
What else are you doing to introduce the NWSC to the community and educate people about its classes and activities?
We are tentatively scheduled to publish the first Senior Center program guide for Fall/Winter 2025/2026 later this year.
We are also working to develop a video that will provide “How to Instructions” for RecDesk which is the registration software we use for PRCR and Renaissance Centre programs and activities.
We are also considering the development of other informational videos and working on ways to increase the Senior Center's Facebook presence.
Will there be a new citizen advisory board for the NWSC?
No. We have no plans to create a Senior Center Advisory Board.
Will there be a representation by a senior on the PRCR Advisory Board to advocate for NWSC and Seniors?
No. The current PRCR Board effectively advocates for intergenerational programs and activities.
How exactly is the Town assessing NWSC programming and operations?
It is our understanding there are approximately 164 programs at the NWSC. We plan to keep the Senior Center classes, programs, support groups, etc. intact for the first year.
We will then work with the transition team and Senior Center staff to monitor classes, registration, and other issues. We will make adjustments to ensure any noted issues are resolved going into year two.
NWSC staff members are participating in one-on-one meetings with the Town’s Human Resources team to discuss their roles and responsibilities. Select NWSC staff are also participating in the town’s annual budget development process. Their input in the HR and Budget meetings will be instrumental in future decisions made regarding staffing and operational changes. We will meet regularly with NWSC staff to discuss any organizational changes that would occur in year two.
How will the age-friendly community project and recent age-friendly survey results be incorporated into the transition plan?
This has not yet been determined. However, we will collaborate with the Age-Friendly Consulting Team to develop a plan that ensures the goals and objectives of the age-friendly community project are achieved.
Given the transition discussions to date, are there general types of programs of the Center the Town is considering expanding or reducing?
To be clear - no program expansions or reductions will occur during the first year.
We will use the first year to review existing programs, hours/days of operation, etc. before making any major changes.
We will work closely with Budget, Finance, and Senior Center staff to review all programs to determine which ones require support from the Town vs. block grant funds or other funding.
Have there been discussions about how to address the capacity issues faced by the Center (use of other town facilities, etc.?)
Yes. In fact, by transitioning to the Town the NWSC will enjoy access to additional resources and other facilities which will allow greater numbers of people to participate in Senior Center classes and activities.
In the short term, the NWSC will be able to expand the number of locations in which they program classes. They will have access to schedule classes and events at Parks & Rec facilities and other town owned buildings.
However, we are aware of the incredible growth the Senior Center is experiencing. The need for a second Senior Center is on the town’s radar. Please refer to the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Plan for more information regarding the second Senior Center project.
Will current instructors be invited to continue to teach/instruct?
Yes. We are planning to have an informational meeting with current instructors.
Will membership be restricted (resident requirements, fees, etc.)?
We are currently working through the details of this item and will provide updates as they become available.
Will there be changes to how volunteers are used/needed?
We are currently working through the details of this item, including such issues as volunteer agreements, waivers, etc.
Does this transition for the Senior Center to the Town of WF increase our taxes?
The transition of the Northern Wake Senior Center under the Town’s management is intended to maintain and enhance services without directly causing an additional tax increase.
The Town will incorporate the Senior Center into its existing municipal structure, leveraging current resources to minimize financial impact.
While overall town budgets and tax rates are influenced by multiple factors, this transition alone is not the direct cause of any tax changes. The Town remains committed to fiscal responsibility while prioritizing essential services for all residents, including our senior population.
Will Meals on Wheels continue at NWSC?
We intend to continue Meals on Wheels at the Senior Center and are currently working through the details with Meals on Wheels North Carolina.
Will NWSC continue to have one fee structure for all?
We are currently working through the details of this item and will provide updates as they become available.
What will happen to current Senior Center staff?
The Northern Wake Senior Center will become the newest department under the Town’s Quality-of-Life portfolio. All Northern Wake Senior Center full-time and part-time staff will become Town of Wake Forest staff members.
Why is the Town of Wake Forest taking over the Senior Center. What is the value add?
The Town’s partnership with the Northern Wake Senior Center dates back over 30 years. The Town owns and maintains the facility and provides some IT support to the Center.
In 2023, Resources for Seniors (RFS) approached Town leadership regarding the future operation of the Senior Center. This was due to a decrease in funding levels to RFS from various entities. The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners approved directing staff to bring the Senior Center operations under the Town’s municipal structure to maintain current services.
The Town is committed to the quality of life for all residents. This commitment means ensuring that essential services, including those for our senior population, remain stable and accessible. By bringing the Senior Center operations under the Town’s management, we can provide continuity of services, enhance programming opportunities, and improve operational efficiencies.
This transition allows the Town to leverage existing resources, such as Communications, IT support and facility management, while exploring new ways to expand and enhance offerings for seniors. Our goal is to ensure that the Senior Center continues to be a welcoming, vibrant space where older adults can connect, stay active, and access valuable programs.
We value the long-standing partnership with RFS and appreciate their dedication to serving the community. Moving forward, the Town remains committed to working with stakeholders to sustain and grow the Senior Center’s impact.