New director appointed at Norfolk senior center amidst rebranding efforts
Following a financial scandal, the Norfolk Senior Center has appointed Tina Collison as its new director, who is introducing new fitness programs and rebranding the center as the "JOY" Center to better serve the community
NORFOLK, Neb. — A northeast Nebraska senior center has appointed a new director following a police investigation into financial irregularities that led to the firing and subsequent arrest of its former director.
Tina Collison, a 27-year veteran of YMCA health and wellness programs, has assumed the role of director at the Norfolk Senior Center. In her third week, Collison is introducing new classes and leveraging her extensive knowledge to enhance the center's offerings.
"I recognized a need in our community for accessible exercise options, such as chair yoga and Parkinson's-specific classes," Collison stated.
"Many seniors in our area were not engaging in regular physical activity due to intimidation or financial constraints. Here at the senior center, all of our programs are free, making them accessible to everyone."
The new fitness classes have seen overwhelming participation, with 60 attendees at Monday's chair yoga session and 58 participants in aerobics.
In addition to the new fitness programs, the center is rebranding as the "JOY" Center, which stands for Just Older Youth. To engage the community, a logo contest will be held, with the winning design announced at an open house on March 16. The contest winner will receive a $500 prize.
Collison envisions a bright future for the center, with plans to introduce activities such as cornhole, ping pong, and youth trivia nights, as well as hosting Parkinson's summits.
"I attended a summit in Denver last August and was deeply inspired," Collison shared. "I have already discussed with the Visitors Bureau how we can attract people from across the state to our facility for a Parkinson's summit here in Northeast Nebraska."