News Photos by Crystal Nelson Bob Zielke, a senior companion with Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, plays a game of cards with Heber Hine, a resident at MediLodge of Alpena.

ALPENA — Every week, Ron Russell and Bob Zielke spend time visiting seniors at MediLodge of Alpena.

They visit the assisted living facility as part of the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which is designed to connect seniors with organizations in the community that need their help.

NEMCSA, which just wrapped up its 50th anniversary, received nearly $55 million in 2018 — a peak for the agency — and “I do know that 2019 will exceed that,” NEMCSA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bolen said.

The organization has learned to become efficient, Bolen said, both because of the size of the agency and stipulations tied to the mostly state and federal grant money that funds its work. About half of the agency’s money went to early childhood programs, according to its 2018 annual report, and community-based care took up another quarter. The rest was split between the nonprofit’s client services, aging and youth services, volunteer programs, and community development divisions.

Russell, who has volunteered with NEMCSA for nearly a year, said he enjoys his time visiting with seniors, helping out with bingo and with tabletop bowling.

Zielke, who was twice a resident at MediLodge, decided to volunteer because of his experience there and because it “seemed like the right thing to do.”

While he was a resident there, Zielke said people didn’t really visit him and he couldn’t really get around.

He now resides at his home in Alpena, but decided volunteering as a senior companion was one way to keep moving.

“I just decided the best way to stay active was to come here,” he said. “This is my exercise.”

Volunteer Program Director Heidi Powers said the senior companion program helps keep seniors engaged and provides a stipend for the senior’s time spent volunteering and to get them to and from their volunteer location.

“Any time we can provide that extra help and support, there’s an overall benefit to society, in that seniors are staying healthier longer — both our senior companions and the clients they provide the extra socialization to,” she said.

NEMCSA spokeswoman Francis Whitney said the nonprofit helps alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in Northeast Michigan. The agency’s core service area spans 11 counties.

Whitney said the organization offers many programs, from early childhood programs and services provided to students who are at risk for academic failure to distributing food, providing utility assistance, and home weatherization.

NEMCSA’s 2018 annual report shows the agency provided 2,972 children with early childhood services, enhanced the academic careers of 2,347 youth, received food boxes for 9,167 households, made $459,848 in emergency payments, provided 617,076 meals to seniors and homebound individuals, and helped 19,534 seniors continue to live independently.

“I see the impact that we make in people’s lives, and I know it makes people’s lives better,” Bolen said. “And, if we weren’t doing the things that we’re doing, I’m not sure what that would look like.”

Census estimates show poverty has has decreased since 2009. Alpena County saw its poverty rate decrease to 13.8% in 2017 from 16.6% in 2009, while Alcona County’s rate fell to 14.6% from 16.3%, and Montmorency County’s decreased to 14.1% from 18.6%.

Presque Isle County saw increased to 15.4% in 2017 from 14.4% in 2009.

Bolen said she beleives the agency played a role in reducing poverty during that timeframe, but said the overall improving economy played a role, as well.

Bolen said during that time, NEMCSA helped people find housing and get back to work and, without NEMCSA’s services, a lot of children would not be ready for kindergarten and seniors would not have access to the services they need to stay healthy.

Heading into the future, Bolen said, she wants to see the agency become more visable.

“My hope is that we can continue to heighten our exposure in the community,” she said, “so that people, whether they need our services or not, know that we’re there, and that general individuals in the community who don’t need our services know that we’re there, because I think they need to know this is an effective way that their tax dollars hit the ground.”

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

NEMCSA’s impact

Services provided by the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency in 2018

∫ 2,972 children were providedwith early childhood services

∫ 2,347 youth received services that enhanced their academic careers

∫ 9,167 households received food boxes

∫ $459,848 in emergency payments

∫ 617,076 meals were provided to seniors and homebound individuals

∫19,534 seniors continue to live indipendently

For more information, visit nemcsa.org or call 989-358-4600.

Source: NEMCSA’s 2018 annual report