Neighborhood Senior Center Opens in Third Ward

Seniors in Houston’s Third Ward have a new destination for healthy meals, fitness classes and a variety of educational and social activities. Neighborhood Centers Inc. opened a Senior Center on April 1 in the City of Houston’s Third Ward Multi-Service Center. The new center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“The City of Houston asked us to open the center because of our success in getting seniors to take our ACES fitness classes at the Third Ward site over the past few years,” said Debbie Turkleson, director of the Seniors Program for Neighborhood Centers.

The ACES program is a one-hour activity class for adults age 50 that has been scientifically proven to increase strength, boost activity levels and elevate the mood of participants.

“We’re off to a good start with the Third Ward center,” Turkleson said. “And we want to continue to connect seniors with interesting and fun activities in their neighborhood, along with plenty of learning opportunities. Texas A&M recently started a six-week class at the center called ‘Master of Memory’ that gives members tools for improving their memory function.”

According to Turkleson, the center also is implementing activities based on ideas the members have shared. For example, “Looking Back” is a weekly discussion group based on members’ interest in Third Ward history.

As more people join the Third Ward Senior Center, new programs will be added and the center will expand to a Monday through Friday schedule.

Funding for Neighborhood Senior Centers is provided by the United Way of Greater Houston, the Harris County Area Agency on Aging and the Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust.

View a complete list of senior center locations.