Senior Center

Berlin Senior Citizen Center

Mission Statement

To actively involve, enlighten, enrich, and empower the independence of older adults in our community.

Contact Information

142 Water Street
Berlin, WI 54923
(Just off of North Capron Street)

Senior/Rec. Programming Coordinator: Rebecca Bays
Senior/Recreation Programming Assistant: Jill Dittmann
Head Cook: Deb Mirr
Assistant Cook: Darlene Sierakowski
Chauffeurs and Meal Delivery: Al, Cindy, Diana

Meal Delivery: Deb, Dean and Clay

E-mail: rbays@cityofberlin.wi.gov
Office E-mail: seniorcenter@cityofberlin.wi.gov
Phone: 920.361.5422
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm

Boards

CITY OF BERLIN COMMISSION ON AGING MEMBERS

Richard Trochinski
Judith Hale
Richard VanOrnum
Paul Hanan
Jim Jodarski
Keith Hess

The City of Berlin is looking for a citizen to fill the open seat on the Committee on Aging. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact the office at 361-5422.  Meetings are held at the Senior Center the 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:30am.  They are open to the public and handicap accessible.

Coach Trips

Our Day Trips are available to ALL ages!

Full payment is required at the time of reservation to guarantee your seat. Trips have limited seating and are filled on a first-come basis.

Please call 920-361-5422 for more information or see the flyers below.

Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game May 10th

Hamilton at the Performance Arts Center Appleton May 18th

Grumpy Old Men at the Fireside May 26th 

Legends in Concert at the Fireside June 8th

Edelweiss Boat Tour in Milwaukee and Boerner Botanical Gardens June 28

Wine and Water in Door County July 19

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers September 6

Titanic at the Fireside October 13

We understand that plans can change and you may not be able to attend a trip for which you have registered. However, refunds can only be issued if you find someone or we can register someone from our waiting list to take your place.

Educational Opportunities

The Berlin Senior Center sponsors question and answer sessions with speakers on a variety of topics. Below is a sample of past guest speaker topics:

  • Update on Social Security
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Healthcare for the Eyes
  • State & Local Politicians
  • Nutrition
  • Arthritis

If you have interest in a particular topic or know of a professional willing to be a guest speaker, please contact the Berlin Senior Center at 920-361-5422.

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will be able to help with: (call toll-free 1-877-883-5378)

  • Questions on household help
  • Information on Home Healthcare
  • Homebound meal deliveries
  • Veteran transportation needs
  • Aging concerns

Where can I report suspected elder abuse?
Call the Elder Abuse Hotline 920-294-4070.

Handicap Equipment Loans

Did you know we have all different kinds of equipment for short and “long-term” loan? Stop in the office if you are interested in seeing what is available. There is no loan charge, however, we do ask for the items to be cleaned and disinfected before returning them. Just stop by and tell us your name and phone number and approximately how long you will need the item. It’s that easy to borrow equipment!

Items Available Include:

  • Raised Toilet Seats
  • Wheelchairs
  • Transport Chairs
  • Walkers with or without wheels
  • Regular and Support Canes
  • Grabbers
  • Bathtub and Shower Chairs
  • Crutches
  • Rolling Walkers with Seats
  • Over Toilet Commode

Please contact the Senior Center at 920-361-5422 for availability or for information about making equipment donations.

Friends of the Berlin Senior Center (FOBSCI)

  • Meets Quarterly:  Join Friends for $5.00 per person per year
  • Mission of the Friends:
    To give full support to the Berlin Senior Center to actively
    involve, enlighten, enrich, and empower the independence
    of older adults in our community.
  • Accomplishments
    1.  2008 – Purchased an abandoned house next to Senior
    Center and turned land into a parking lot
    2.  2012 –  Built a new addition of 1,500 sq.ft. for a
    community room, shared veteran office, and storage
    space to the east end of the Senior Center.
  • Awards/Grants
    1.  2009 – Received Newsmaker of the Year
    2.  2010 – Anonymous Donor and Community Involvement
    Funds 2 – year challenge
    3.  2011 – Received Wisconsin Community Development
    Block Grant
    4.  2012 – Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc – $1,000 for
    expansion project
  • Current Projects
    1.  Acoustical Ceiling Panes
    2.  Dome-shaped glass paneled door for sound and privacy
    3.  In and Out of State overnight trips
  • Donations:  Are always accepted and appreciated. The Friends of the Berlin Senior Center received approval for tax exempt status 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service on September 26, 2008

Your tax deductible contributions can be mailed to:

Friends of the Berlin Senior Center
Berlin Senior Center
142 Water Street
Berlin, WI  54923

Hall Rental

The Berlin Senior Center is available for rental!  Per the Committee on Aging, renting of the building must be done on days that the Center is open (Monday through Friday, no holidays and no weekends).

Please call 920-361-5422 with any questions.

Newsletter INSIGHT

Every month our Center produces a newsletter to keep you up to date on what’s happening here. It includes all kinds of helpful information including upcoming trips, the month’s menu for meals, times and dates of classes and activities available for joining, as well as other helpful tidbits. Please feel free to browse this month’s INSIGHT:

Nutrition / Meals on Wheels

SENIOR NUTRITION GREEN LAKE CO. MEAL SITE

Berlin Senior Center is a Green Lake County elderly nutrition meal site program through the Older American Act.

Nutritious meals for seniors are served each weekday at noon.

We offer meals daily at noon for those 60+.  We also offer carry out meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Pick up for carry out meals is between 11am and 11:15am

Below are some important facts about our meal program:

  • Please call the day before to sign up for senior meals 920-361-5422.
  • All meals are cooked on-site by paid staff with the help of volunteers.
  • Homebound meals are available for seniors in the Berlin area. Please call to arrange for this service through Green Lake County Health and Human Services by calling 920-294-4070.
  • We do not cook special meals for those guests with dietary restrictions. Please contact Berlin Hospital for information about meals for people with special dietary restrictions. We do, however, have sugar free dessert substitutes for our diabetic guests.

Cost: Suggested donation of $4 over age 60

Under age 60 the cost is $15.77

Programs and Classes

A variety of programs and activities are sponsored by the Berlin Senior Center daily for those age 55 and older. Below is a list of programs that have been offered in the past. Please consult the Senior Newsletter “INSIGHT” for a complete list of current events and activities:

  • Card parties (daily)
  • Billiards (tournaments w/ Wautoma Seniors)
  • Senior Tones (Harmonica Group)
  • Wood Carving
  • Painting
  • Berlin Senior Singers
  • Craft Projects
  • Quilting
  • Exercise – low impact (see calendar)
  • Chair Yoga
  • Monthly birthday meal
  • Walking Club

Social Activities

A variety of social activities are sponsored by the Berlin Senior Center daily for those age 55 and older. Below is a list of activities that have been offered in the past. Please consult the Senior Newsletter “INSIGHT for a complete list of current events and activities:

  • Berlin Senior Singers Group
  • Dirt Detectives (Metal Detecting Group)
  • Eyes Have It (Low Vision Support Group)
  • Trips – One-day Bus Trips (See Coach Trips)
  • Coffee & Conversation

Support Groups

  • Veterans Socialization Group meets every 2nd Tuesday at 9:30a.m.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous for Kids:  Light Stepping ACA meets every Friday at 6:00 p.m.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous for Adults meets every Friday at 8:00 p.m.
  • Eyes Have It (low vision group) meets every 3rd Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

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Tax Assistance

The Berlin Senior Center will not be offering tax assistance through AARP this year.  Instead, it will be through CAP Services.  Please call 1-800-660-5430 for more information.

Transportation

The Berlin Senior Center offers transportation services for any destination that will promote senior independent living including:

  • Shopping
  • Errands
  • Beauty parlor or barber
  • Doctor’s visits

Below is important information about our transportation program. If you have questions, please call us at 920-361-5422.

  • Transportation services are available M-F from 8:00am – 10:30am & 1:30pm-8:00pm.
  • Transportation services are funded in part through 85.21 Specialized Transportation Grant and 5310 WisDOT Grant.  Transportation services are fee-based.
  • Co-Payment for in-town trips are:
    • Round Trip $2.00
    • Please call for out of town costs
  • Our vehicle is handicap accessible.
  • We also offer medical transport to nursing homes.
  • We will shop for the homebound.
  • Please call as soon as possible in advance to arrange for transportation (24 hour advance notice is recommended).
  • We do NOT transport medical emergencies. Please call 911 for medical emergency transportation

Interested in helping fund the transportation program?  Dough for Departure is a donation based program that keep people moving from point A to point B!  To make a donation or for questions, stop by the Senior Center

The City of Berlin Senior Transportation Program operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, religion, income status or limited English proficiency (LEP) in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and related nondiscrimination authorities. For more information on the City of Berlin Senior Transportation Program civil rights program, ADA obligations, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact Rebecca Bays, rbays@cityofberlin.wi.gov or at 920-361-5422 (for hearing impaired, please use Wisconsin Relay 711 service https://wisconsinrelay.com)

 

The Complaint Form and Complaint Log is the same for Title VI and ADA.

Title VI Information and Complaint Form

Reasonable Modification Policy

Reasonable Modification Request Form

Volunteer Opportunities

The Senior Center is always looking for volunteers.  Do you have some spare time? We are in need of some wonderful people with free time to give. We have indoor and outdoor projects waiting for you, whether it is volunteering at the desk, answering phones, helping keep the garden vibrant, or even presenting on a place visited! If you have a craft, hobby, or skill you’d be willing to teach, we would love that too! Come share with us.

Contact us at 920-361-5422 today!