Historical perspective
The year of 2009 marked the 30th anniversary of East Valley Adult Resources, Inc. (EVAR). The scope of services has doubled in the last 10 years serving over 43,000 people and producing over 325,000 meals last year of which over 60% were delivered into persons homes. The quality of service and customer service produced by EVAR continues to be a critical guide as we move forward to serve a younger and older population simultaneously.
In 2008 the Strategic Planning Committee recommended a new mission, tagline, vision, organizational name change and to change the “Senior Centers” to “Active Adult Centers.”
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Mission statement: We value the experience of the generations by providing opportunities to connect, contribute, and care for each other.
Tagline: Opportunities to connect, contribute and care for each other.
Vision Statement: We create opportunities to connect, contribute and care for each other.
New organizational name: East Valley Adult Resources, Inc.
Senior Centers: Change to Active Adult Centers and keep the location name on front end, i.e., Red Mountain Active Adult Center.
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In addition, the committee reviewed the request from Assistance for Independent Living (AIL) to join together and integrate their services with a volunteer in-home component offered by EVAR. This merger between two nonprofits was a perfect match of blending EVAR’s direction, “Serving our community one person at a time”, and AIL services which focus on helping seniors age in place. The Board of Directors held a special meeting in August 2008 and approved all the marketing recommendations and the integration of AIL. In October 2008 AIL officially joined EVAR which increases the service component to provide a comprehensive in-home service which includes: Personal Care Services (bath & shower assist), Support Services (light housekeeping, laundry assist, grocery/essential errands), and Volunteer Program (medical & grocery transport, visual assist, friendly phoning).
The 2006-2010 Strategic Plan includes 8 Goals; 44 Objectives; and 162 Action Steps. As of the end of 2008 the plan was 70% completed. A complete report on the plan is available upon request.
Chronological historical perspective
East Valley Adult Resources, Inc. (EVAR) was incorporated in 1979, as a 501©3 nonprofit organization, and opened its first Senior Center in 1980 at the corner of University and Center. This facility was built by the City of Mesa and was approximately 16,000 square feet. Over the next five years it became evident that the space was not adequate for the numbers of persons attending and the number of programs that needed to be offered.
At the same time an East Mesa branch was opened first in a lodge hall and later moved to a store front on Main Street. These facilities were considered temporary and did not have adequate space for the numbers of persons that wanted to attend. The fast expansion of the City of Mesa into this area showed a definite need for a full scale facility, but it would be almost fifteen years before that vision would be realized.
By 1985 it became evident that a new downtown location was required due to expansion needs of EVAR and the City of Mesa. The City decided to build a new facility 2 blocks away at 247 N. Macdonald. In August 1987 the Mesa Senior Center was completed and opened; it was 32,000 square feet and was immediately deemed a model facility. The East Mesa Center also needed new quarters and in 1988 the City and County combined to erect a temporary structure at 7620 East Brown Road.
In 1988 a bond was passed by the residents of Mesa to construct a permanent facility for what was then called the Mesa East Senior Center. In the early 1990’s it became evident that the bonds would not be sold for a period of time due to economic conditions. In 1993 the modular facility was expanded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grants from the City and County. The expansion included 4 classrooms which allowed for a balanced program to be developed.
In 1994 EVAR passed a resolution to become a partner in a senior housing tax credit project. This led to a partnership to construct a 183 unit apartment complex called Discovery Point which remains a unique component in the senior housing arena.
In 1996 EVAR was requested to take over the management of the Apache Junction Senior Center by the Area Agency on Aging, Region V. The schedule was increased from four to five days a week and new programs and services were started. In 2000 the City of Apache Junction voted to build a Multigenerational Center to house a permanent senior center.
Construction began in January 2004 and the facility was opened in September 2005. In 2008 the Center became Apache Junction Active Adult Center.
In 1997 construction began on the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center that would provide a permanent home for the Senior Center. The facility officially opened in March 1999 with a full fitness component that was managed by the City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Division. This new facility was 65,000 square feet and offered significantly more space and visibility than the previous location. The numbers of persons that attended and received services significantly grew and it has maintained a high level of participation. In 2008 the Center changed it name to Red Mountain Active Adult Center.
In 1998 home and community based services began to significantly grow and the Community Services division of the organization now includes: Outreach, Home Delivered Meals, Caring Corps, AIL and East Valley RSVP.
In 1999 a new alternative transportation program, Enabling Transportation (ET), was implemented with a grant from the City of Mesa, This service provided a mileage reimbursement to volunteers who drove homebound adults to necessary services. Two years later a “Coupons for Cabs” component was added and in the year 2006 Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe were added. By 2007 over 41,000 one way trips were provided by the unique and innovative service. The overwhelming success of the project provided the next step which was to locate the service within other existing transportation options, i.e., Dial A Ride, which continues the service today as East Valley Ride Choice. In 2004 EVAR started the same service in Apache Junction with the support of the City and we continue to implement the project.
In 2004 the City of Mesa with CDBG funds purchased a building to the north of the Mesa Senior Center to house EVAR Administration. Growth of the organization was the overriding factor to establish adequate space to continue providing quality services to older adults throughout the community. EVAR Administration officially opened at 45 W. University on November 15, 2004. In 2006, again with CDBG funding, the Mesa Senior Center was expanded to include a fitness room which was opened in September 2006. The Center became the Mesa Active Adult Center in 2008.
In January of 2006 a Strategic Plan Task Force was formed which was composed of Board members, staff, participants and community leaders with the charge to develop a new Strategic Plan and oversee the re-accreditation for the senior centers. The Task Force met for 8 months and completed a new comprehensive Strategic Plan and evaluated all nine standards set forth by the National Institute of Senior Centers for Re-accreditation. A peer reviewer evaluated Mesa and Red Mountain Senior Centers in November and the Centers were officially certified in January 2007 for another 5 years.
In 2008 EVAR continued a planning process to engage this new generation of adults. At our Active Adult Centers, we introduced new evening programs, created cafes which feature gourmet coffee and free wireless access, new volunteer opportunities and developed new activities to enhance brain and body fitness. In 2009, we continued that process with a stronger focus on lifelong learning, new connections with other generations and meaningful engagement of professionals in the community.
Stay tuned for the next 30 years!