Celebrates Past, Present, and Future
First Inaugural Gala July 2025
Peals of laughter, clinking glasses, and hearty conversations were to be had at the Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging’s Inaugural Gala at the Embassy Suites on July 12, 2025! A sold-out crowd of 180 supporters gathered to celebrate our past accomplishments, our present successes, and support our future growth! Participants browsed the wide array of silent auction baskets, enjoyed delicious food and drink, caught up with old friends, and made new ones. Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging’s mission to enhance the lives of older adults in Peoria was alive and thriving at the gala! It was a magical evening of accomplishment with hope for the future.
Celebrating the Past
Original board members were thanked for their vision and early support: Frank Abdnour, Tom Eertmoed, Claire Crone, Wanda Aberle, Yolanda Wlodarski, and Christine Clemons. These and multitudes of other supporters helped launch Graceland Center into existence in August 2020. Kim Martin of I’ve Decided was recognized for her leadership development and groundbreaking assistance for the founder, Peggy Jacques. We have come a long way from the early days of announcing the absence of a senior center in Peoria and our goal to create one!
Present Successes
Current board members were recognized for their continued allegiance to create a community-based senior center for Peoria: Cindy Johnson, Felisa Durr, Nyrobi Wheeler, Nancy Bailey, Tom Eertmoed, Emma Bailey, Robin Lehner, and Laura Rose. Jenni Brooks was acknowledged for her continual advisory role to the board. Christa Fuller and Laurie Robley’s work to coordinate our weekly programs was acknowledged. Two days of programming weekly are financially supported from the Community Foundation and Impact Central Illinois grants, along with donations and sponsors. Participation continues to grow as word gets out that older adults have a welcoming place in Peoria to call their own: a place where they can connect, learn, have fun, and gain skills to live their best lives! Meals provided by Neighborhood House create a home-like atmosphere where everyone feels included and nourished, not only in their nutrition, but in emotional safety.
Future Growth
With additional funding, Graceland Center is poised to increase programming to three days a week. We plan to provide more variety in offerings, based on our participants’ interests and on research-based ways of how to age well to protect the vitality of our minds, bodies, and emotional well-being. All programs include the goal of having fun with fellowship! Our stake is in the ground to get enough community sponsorships, taxpayer support, donations, and grants to make Peoria’s first 5-day-a-week senior center. We know this is the right thing to do for our older adults in Peoria and we are determined to make it a reality!
Welcome!
Join us Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm at the Life Together Center, 3625 N Sheridan Road in Peoria. Thursday programs will start in October 2025. We are located towards the end of the building, at the green canopy entrance. Call 833-503-7773 with any questions and leave a message. You will get a call back! Or check out our website at Gracelandcenter.com or our Facebook page, Graceland Center! We look forward to welcoming you and having you as part of our community. There are no fees or pre-registration to attend. Signing up for meals is done during our programming.
