The Lowcountry Senior Center represents the vision and hard work by a number of groups over several years. In 1996, the South Carolina Office on Aging provided a grant for the construction of senior centers, and our local Agency on Aging assumed the task of finding a sponsor to shepherd the process. The City of Charleston stepped up, and requested input from its senior adults on their needs and desires for such a center. Out of initial discussions, a group of about 25 volunteers eventually organized themselves into the Lowcountry Senior Coalition, a nonprofit group set up to raise additional funds needed to build the Center, as well as to provide the city with input and advice. Today, this coalition continues their support as Friends of the Lowcountry Senior Center.
In 1998, Roper St. Francis Healthcare responded to when the city sought a manager for the project. Charleston County stepped in as a financial partner, and a strong alliance was formed. In May of 2002, the Lowcountry Senior Center opened its doors to the public, serving independent senior adults aged 50 or more. We currently have more than 1,400 members, and serve an average of 250 members and visitors each day.
In 2005, The Center was honored with two special distinctions: the NuStep Pinnacle Award – a national award for excellence in wellness programming for seniors; and in April 2005, the Senior Center became the first in South Carolina to achieve national accreditation by the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). Accreditation represents official recognition that the Lowcountry Senior Center is meeting its mission in a nationally accepted and professional manner.