‘Rooted in dignity, serving with respect,’ senior center grows with aging population

Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. has been a vital resource for seniors in the central Mat-Su for decades. Over that time, the nonprofit organization has grown and expanded to meet the ever-increasing demand for services as the local population ages. In addition to providing 218 housing units in eight buildings, WASI also offers a variety of resources to help meet the day-to-day needs of seniors.

Nutritional support is supplied through weekday sitdown meals at the center, offered from 11:30 to 12:30. This is supplemented by the Meals on Wheels program, which offers five hot meals and two frozen meals for the weekend to seniors living off campus.

Marlene Munsell, the center’s CEO since 2022, said the center produces more than 450 meals daily.

“Our mission is to enable seniors living in the Mat-Su Valley to live as independently as possible for as long as possible,” she said.

That goes beyond nutritional support. WASI also hosts events, classes, and community gatherings to help combat loneliness and encourage social engagement.

As demand for WASI services has risen, grants have become an important part of offsetting operational expenses. The Mat-Su Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is part owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, has been a leading supporter of senior services in all corners of the community. The Health Foundation’s commitment to WASI is evident in its almost unbroken streak of annual funding since its inception in 2007. Most recently, the Foundation granted WASI $258,045 in October. That’s part of more than $130 million invested in borough-wide health and wellness by the Foundation in the last 17 years.

“These grants are extremely important to the sustainability of WASI, especially as the number of seniors who need assistance grows,” Munsell said. “The grants provide essential funding that allows us to maintain and expand programs and cover operational costs that might not be supported by other revenue sources.”

Meal programs, health and wellness initiatives, transportation assistance, and other services provide direct benefit to seniors’ daily lives, she said.

“The Mat-Su Health Foundation plays a pivotal role in improving the overall health of the Mat-Su Borough by funding organizations like WASI that address critical community needs,” Munsell said. “That helps us in our mission to ensure seniors in the Mat-Su area are better able to remain active, connected and well-cared-for in the community.”

Founded in 1978 as an activity center for seniors, WASI relocated to its current location on South Century Circle in Wasilla after land was donated for the purpose by Frank Smith. The first building there was named the Floyd D. Smith Community Center, in memory of Frank Smith’s father. Services have expanded steadily since then.

“Without the support of the Mat-Su Health Foundation, WASI could not do the work that we are currently doing,” Munsell said. “We are grateful to the Foundation for all they do for WASI and the Mat-Su community in general.”