Edmundite Missions is committed to the health and wellbeing of the community in which we live and which we serve. Community Development means both health and wellbeing and the economic sustainability of our homes and families. Edmundite Missions advances community wellbeing both with programs and with outreach.
Two community centers, the Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community and Recreation Center in Selma and the Good Shepherd Community Center in Mosses offer a variety of programs which respond to community desires and needs. Programs in these multi-purpose buildings include:
Fitness Programs. With extremely high diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease rates, fitness in the Blackbelt is a priority. The Centers offer an NCAA-sized gym for athletics and fitness center in Selma and a fitness room in Mosses. These are open for informal community use but also offer structured programs such as Silver Sneakers for seniors, meditation and stretching sessions, Zumba for adults and dance classes for children, and a specific fitness program designed for new mothers.
SUPPORTING THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF SENIORS
Edmundite Missions Senior Center is a rejuvenating and joyous environment that eases the burden for seniors who struggle with poverty. Nearly a quarter of all Selma, Alabama’s seniors are living in poverty, and many also live with chronic disease, as people of lower socioeconomic status are much more likely to develop chronic diseases. For example, they have a 50% higher risk of developing heart disease, leading to shortened life expectancy and lower quality of life.
Our Senior Program works to break that cycle of poverty and chronic diseases by promoting good health, well-being and self-esteem. Each day 30-40 seniors gather at the Center for Hope for a hot meal, daily devotion, exercise, arts and crafts, and other stimulating activities. Activities vary day by day. These daily activities are also live-streamed to our rural sites from the Selma-based Center of Hope, allowing all of our seniors to build larger and more interactive support systems. The staff of the seniors’ program also take the program “on the road,” regularly visiting nursing homes in Selma and the Missions’ rural outreach centers. This brings nutrition and health education, physical and mental fitness, and companionship to many who cannot travel to the Center of Hope.
Through our partnership with HealthLink, a healthcare organization that serves those without medical insurance and also those underinsured, we work to ensure that all of our seniors healthcare needs are met.
The Senior Activity Program helps participating seniors to avoid isolation. The key refrain we hear time and time again is the Missions reminds seniors that they are “not forgotten.” Through our Senior Program, they can be a part of a larger community outside of their family, neighborhood or church leading to longer, happier and fuller lives.
In the Bullock gym, pick-up basketball is paired with both youth and adult leagues, both men and women, bringing the discipline of team play to athletes who may never have had the chance to play in organized sports.
Community Health Education. Both Centers offer health fairs, diabetes education and prevention classes, and blood pressure screening, as well as a monthly health check up and disease screening partnership with the University of Alabama Birmingham medical school and vision screening with the Lions Club.
Skills Education. Being computer literate is very important to our senior citizens, to be able to communicate with their families and to be able to keep up with news and local opportunities. Computer education is offered at both Centers and often has multiple seniors sharing computer space.
Family Time. For many families in our community, finding a quiet place to just be together is difficult. The Community Rooms offer a relaxing atmosphere for board and card games, arts and crafts, and just a cozy space to just talk.
Community Events. Bringing people together builds joy and trust. The Centers offer a Father-Daughter Dance, a chance for Dads, or Grandpas or Uncles to talk and dance and dine with their Princesses! Christmas parties gather everyone around Santa Clause with gifts for the children. Spring concerts, summer fresh foods markets, and fall back-to-school supply give aways, and winter Family Nights at the Movies have become much anticipated community gatherings.
