For more than 50 years, the Pagosa Senior Center (est. in 1971) and Archuleta Seniors Inc. (est. in 2013) has been meeting the social and nutritional needs of older adults (age 60 and better) in our community. We serve thousands of nutritious meals annually in Archuleta County and volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels and friendly visits / wellness checks to homebound older adults. We depend on more than 55 volunteers annually to help us serve and deliver meals and provide other wrap-around services. The cost of each meal is $10.50 but we only ask for a suggested donation of $6.00/meal. Meal recipients are asked to contribute what they can afford and no one is ever turned down.
Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. Participants must be at home to receive meals; meals will not be left.
Meals on Wheels volunteers receive background checks and training prior to delivery. Typically a volunteer shift is one day a week from 10:30am to 1pm depending on the size of the route. Staff works closely with volunteers to allow for periodic breaks.
If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by the Archuleta Seniors Inc. office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pickup an application.
Questions, please call ASI at 970-264-2167.
Archuleta Seniors Fall Fundraiser
As the seasons change, so too does Archuleta Seniors Inc.’s need to reach out again to our caring community for support. Thanks to the kind donation of a matching grant provided by an anonymous benefactor your generous donation during our fall fundraiser will be doubled up to $5000 through the end of October. Although we are very grateful to our current funding partners, Archuleta County, San Juan Basin Area on Aging, Town of Pagosa Springs, and grants from private foundations, still, it is not enough. 37% of our funds are dependent on our ability to fundraise, via fundraising campaigns, community events, and the generosity of people like you!
Unfortunately, we have been informed that we can expect an 18% decrease in funding this next fiscal year even while our operation costs and need for services continue to increase. But with your help, we can make a difference and enhance the lives of our 60+ community and those who care about them! Please jump in today with your 100% matched donation and join in our ongoing efforts to provide our cherished elders, who have given so much to this community, with nutritional, health, and social programming that will continue to enrich their lives.
Donations can be made directly to Archuleta Seniors Inc., located in the Ross Aragon Community Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd in Pagosa Springs or by mail P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs. CO 81147. We also take donations by phone, please call 970-264-2167 or online donations via our Colorado Gives, Archuleta Seniors Inc. fall fundraising page: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Asifallfundraiser
Free Stretching & Mobility Weekly Class
Community members are invited to attend new free weekly classes, every Tuesday this fall and winter, from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at the Pagosa Springs Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd. in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center). The stretching and mobility classes for older adults (age 55+) are designed to help build balance in the body through functional exercises that aim to improve mobility and flexibility. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of techniques that can help enhance overall movement efficiency. Though not necessary, a mat is recommended for this class. The program is instructed by local ballet dance instructor Dee Pitchon who will provide modifications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the exercises.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on Sept 27, Oct 4 and Oct 11. The price to participate is free and all we ask is you bring yourself and a friend for an hour of joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided. No RSVP required, just show up. All ages welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. Seats are first come first serve. For more information contact us at 970.264.2167.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Join Judith Newman at the Pagosa Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd) the second Wednesday of each month, next session is Oct 9 to learn and/or refresh your “Emotional Freedom Technique” aka Tapping skills to support yourself with selfcare, relief from anxiety and community support. All classes start at 10 am and last 45 minutes to an hour. Please bring a friend or come alone. All are welcome.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at the Pagosa Senior Center. This creative tradition has been happening since 2005, started by Melissa Bailey and continued by Kathy Ruth through the years. The group met in the Senior Center dining room until 2020, took a break due to Covid and then resumed meetings in the Community Center. They are truly excited to be meeting in the Senior Center dining area again. They will meet each month from 10:00am – 3:00pm to be creative, share ideas, connect with friends, learn new techniques, share supplies and indulge in a potluck lunch together.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday.
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, September 26 – Chicken Lo Mein, Stir Fry Vegetables, Spring Roll, Garden Salad, Coconut-Mango Rice Pudding, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, September 27 – Beef Spaghetti, Romanesco, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Ambrosia Fruit Salad, Milk.
Monday, September 30 – Chicken Tortilla Soup, Squash Casserole, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Cake, Milk.
Tuesday, October 1 – Beef Spaghetti w Parmesan Cheese, Sauteed Greens, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, October 2 – Mushroom & Spinach Crepes, Peas & Pearl Onions, Dinner roll, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Thursday, October 3 – Pork Carnitas w/ Chimichurri sauce, Zesty Black Beans, Corn Tortillas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, October 4 – Chinese Plum Chicken w/ Jasmine Rice, Snow Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Grab-N-Go & Dine-In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to dine in or pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $6.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50 also. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Covid-19 Test Kits
The Pagosa Senior Center will no longer be distributing free covid-19 test kits. Please stop by the Archuleta County Public Health Department at 502 S. 8th St., Pagosa Springs, CO. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.
Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 pm every week. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner.
Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs.
For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 21 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services. Please stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application or call 970-264-2167 for more information.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.