In late April, the Senior Center hosted our annual member’s meeting, and preparing for it gave me a much-needed chance to pause and reflect.

I joined the Senior Center staff in May 2022 and became executive director in February 2023. The past three years have been the most satisfying journey of my work life. Having spent my entire career in the world of smaller nonprofits and theater, I’m accustomed to a constant swirl of activities, events, crises both big and small, and the always-creative solutions that spring from a solid team of smart collaborators.

Thanks to the efforts and contributions of a wonderful staff, committed board of directors, and amazing volunteers, the Senior Center has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years.

A few clear themes resonated throughout our annual meeting, and our service work took centerstage. Jane Neubauer described the End of Life Planning class series she and a team of volunteers have been leading, one we are honored to host. One of the loveliest phrases I’ve heard is sometimes used to describe their work: “Walking each other home.”

For many fortunate seniors, that “walk home” can be a long and happy amble. At the Center, they might find companionship, new experiences, learning, or just plain fun. For others, the walk becomes harder, both literally and metaphorically. For them, the Senior Center Village is here to offer help and support. During the meeting, our Village Manager, Fran Brooks, shared how Village volunteers are offering Bluebird rides, technology coaching, friendly visits and telephone check-ins and chore help — and even reading to seniors in their homes.

Like most nonprofits, volunteers are the engine that powers everything we do. In 2024, nearly 200 Senior Center and Village volunteers contributed more than 8,300 hours — effort that would have cost well over $160,000 if done by paid employees. Our volunteers do everything from washing our tablecloths and napkins to driving seniors to medical appointments to planning and creating new, life-changing programs. They are some of the best people I know.

Many of them volunteer for multiple organizations, which can result in powerful new collaborations. Carol Spangler spoke at our meeting about the work she and a core team of volunteers have been doing to create an adult day program, a project that’s being held mutually by Vashon Care Network, Vashon Presbyterian Church and Vashon Senior Center.

The biggest revelation I had in preparing for the annual meeting was over just how much the Senior Center has grown. Since 2023, our membership has increased by 29%. Programs and services have grown along with membership. In 2024, seniors signed in for meals, programs and activities more than 15,600 times — 18% growth since 2023. It’s enough growth that many days we wish we could magically push out our Center walls or create a lovely second story (with a great elevator). Meanwhile, outside our walls, Village services grew 37%.

In two years, that kind of growth is significant, and all of it stems from the growing needs of seniors living on a small rural island dependent on ferries.

Of course, growth in all those realms has been matched by growth in expenses. Unfortunately, our regular revenue streams haven’t kept pace with that growth. In 2023, King County grants covered 46% of our annual budget. This year, they will cover 31%. That means we must find revenue elsewhere.

No one is willing to stop providing the things that make life on Vashon possible, positive and healthy for Vashon seniors. To that end, we fundraise, as all nonprofits do. With GiveBIG wrapping up earlier this week, hopefully Vashon residents learned about all the amazing work being done by island nonprofits. There are a lot of us, and the work we all do is essential.

It is not an easy time to be a nonprofit organization or a nonprofit worker. With cuts and funding reductions coming from the larger powers-that-be, we need our local supporters more than ever. To that end, the Senior Center will be launching something you’ll hear more about soon, a beautiful Giving Tree mural created by island artist Nan Leiter.

While it may not be an easy time in the nonprofit world, it can be a joyful one. As I was getting ready to write this, I did what I always do — I turned to our seniors and asked them, “What’s your favorite thing about the Senior Center?” The first three answers I heard were:

“The friendly, positive attitude I find whenever I come in.”

“And lunch!”

“And the programs – that Spring Tea was lovely…”

And the conversation happily continued, as it always does. That’s what we do here at the Senior Center. We bring friends together, eat delicious food, make fun happen, learn new things and share new experiences, and help each other when needs arise. We enjoy walking each other home.

Maria Glanz is the executive director of the Vashon Senior Center.