Senior Resource Development history

With grant funds written by the Freeport Area Council of Churches (FACC), the Center was born in July 1973.

November 1976 – The Center establishes its own Board of Directors after separating from FACC, develops new Bylaws, and was re-named The Senior Center.

October 1983 – The Center moves to Freeport Art Center on North Harlem to accommodate more activities.

The building was dedicated to Suzanne Patterson in 1985, and opened as the senior center for Princeton.

1986 – New Jo Daviess office opens in Galena.

With a grant from the United Way, the HomeFriends program started in 1987 as a friendly visitor program, matching homebound elderly with trained volunteers.

After several years, it was recognized by many that it would be sensible to combine the Suzanne Patterson Center with the Senior Resource Center, thus giving one organization the responsibility for programs and services to all seniors in Princeton, accomplished in 1994.

The LINK (Local Intergenerational Network of Kindness) Program was developed in 1995 out of the former Youth Employment Service.

Early 1996 – Lona Kniskern named third director, and the center was voted “Outstanding Illinois Senior Center” later that year.

In 1997 over 60 community members from Princeton participated in the accreditation self-assessment process, developing action plans for short and long-term goals.

Full accreditation by PSRC was achieved in 1998.

Fundraising events continued to provide more revenue and in 1999 a development consultant was hired.

In 2000 PSRC published the booklet, “Alternative Living Arrangements for Seniors,” which detailed information about Assisted Living and CCRCs in the Greater Princeton area as these residential communities proliferated.

In 2001 Evergreen Forum, which was started and is overseen by a dedicated steering committee, began with 4 classes and came under the PSRC umbrella of programs.

The new space was ready for occupancy in Spring of 2003 with new classrooms and office space, new lighting, and new furnishings.

In October 2006, PSRC was awarded the Community Spirit Award by Princeton Human Services in recognition of our efforts with inclusivity and of seniors.

2007 — Lona retires and Kelly Alexander Hillan named as fourth director.

In 2008, PSRC joined with 5 other organizations to establish Partners in Caring, which enabled us to provide a wide array of services to support aging in place, including care coordination, education, meals, transportation, support groups, and more.

In 2009, PSRC assumed oversight of the Crosstown transportation program, a car service for seniors funded by the Municipality of Princeton.

2010 — The Center relocates to the Lincoln Mall on Galena Ave. in Freeport.

In 2012, Partners-in-Caring became the United Aging & Disability Partnership with 9 agencies providing services throughout Mercer County, funded by the United Way.

Princeton Borough and Township consolidated in 2013, continuing to contract senior services with PSRC.

2015 — The Senior Center moves to its current remodeled location on Stephenson St

January 2016 – Open House for new location.

June 2019 — Susan Lambert retires and Sonja Shoemaker and Kevin Countryman named assistant directors.

March 2020 — Senior Resource Center closes its doors to foot traffic because of the COVID-19 pandemic but continues serving its participants via phone, Zoom and other emerging technologies.