Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) is taking feedback from the community for new programming ideas to support inter-generational programming at the Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center. Currently we offer Bridge, Zentangle, and Mahjong during the week and are looking to expand our offerings in the hope to provide a few more opportunities for community members to join in on the fun and socialize. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.
The Community Cafe continues to be open to the public every Monday and Wednesday from 11am – 1pm. If dining in, please be prepared to show your vaccination cards. (If you have COVID-19 or have been exposed or exhibiting any symptoms, please stay home.) We are always offering Grab-n-Go meals Monday-Friday 11am-1pm at our convenient Drive Thru. Our meals are available to all ages by reservation, call or text us at 970-264-2167 by 9am.
The work of Archuleta Senior Inc. has engaged new community members over the past month as we have opened up to the community and as we continue to deepen our reach into the community we are looking to directly involve more Spanish speakers in our work. Engaging Spanish speaking community members means leveraging their energy and curiosity, their diverse experiences, and their creativity as communicators. And that is where we need help! If you, or someone you know, may be interested in supporting the work of Archuleta Seniors Inc. with bilingual translation and/or engagement into the Spanish speaking community, please call or text us at 970-264-2167 if you are interested or want to learn more.
We would like to give a shout out to our admin staff Barbara Noriega and Janet Monks who both facilitate day to day operations at the Senior Center. Barbara Noriega has been with ASI for three years and provides compassionate care and nutrition security via the Meals on Wheels program. Janet Monks serves as the Senior Program and Administrative Manager and has also been on staff for two years. Both Janet and Barbara are longtime residents of Pagosa Springs. They are being recognized for their tireless commitment to our community and for making the Senior Center a welcoming place for everyone.
FARMERS MARKET VOUCHERS for seniors (age 60 and older) are now available! If you love to shop at the Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty, please call Debbie at 970-403-2164 at the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to put your name on the list for $25 in vouchers to redeem for local foods. Then visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season (June – September) to pick up your $25 voucher to support the local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market is located on the 3rd row of the East Side Market and is open on Saturdays from 9am – 1pm through September.
TEXT US @ 970-264-2167. The Community Cafe is now accepting text messaging for meal reservations, cancellations and/or communication of any kind. When testing, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel. Texting services are available for dining-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.
MEDICARE CALL BY APPT. For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, we help with Parts A, B, and D. We can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call our Medicare line at 970-264-0501; ext 4.
ASI BOARD OF DIRECTORS has 1 vacant position open for financial oversight and policy implementation for the organization and senior center staff. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 55 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
COMMUNITY CAFE MENU
Thursday, August 11 – Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup, milk, chef salad, fresh berries, and croutons.
Friday, August 12 – Stuffed portobello mushrooms, naan bread and hummus, milk, garden salad and carrot cake.
Monday, August 15 – Curry chicken with jasmine rice, roasted cauliflower, milk, garden salad, chai pudding with toasted almonds and fruit.
Tuesday, August 16 – Crispy baked catfish with tartar sauce, wilted spinach, milk, garden salad and cherry crisp.
Wednesday, August 17 – Harvest chicken salad wrap, macaroni salad, garden salad, milk, yogurt, fruit and blueberry cakes.
Thursday, August 18 – Hawaiian pork with peppers over coconut rice with sauteed vegetables, milk, garden salad, and mango salad.
GRAB-N-GO MEALS Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $5.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.00. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
MEALS ON WHEELS We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.
ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County..
Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or visit our website. 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/
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.