The San Manuel Senior Center has a small budget. Like, “soda can” small. 

The hardworking women who fundraise for the central gathering place in the small southern Arizona mining town pool money earned from bake sales, hand-sewn items and soda can collections. Many months, it’s just enough. 

“It’s a time-consuming thing,” said Dorothy Hughes, the center’s 79-year-old president. “It’s been going good. We’ve always had quite a few people come out and enjoy whatever we’re doing. We’re an active little bunch of old ladies.”

Dorothy Hughes

A senior center makeover thanks to a federal grant

The women connected with Local First Arizona, a nonprofit that supports small businesses and communities in rural Arizona, including with free grant writing services. 

The nearly $90,000 federal grant the San Manuel Senior Center won through the American Rescue Plan Act was transformative.

One of the first upgrades was paving the parking lot.

Several residents had fallen on the previous mix of gravel, rocks and grass, especially after a heavy rain, including the center’s 91-year-old treasurer Hazel Cooper.

 “It’s made an extremely large difference in my life,” she said.

In addition, contractors replaced the center’s 30-year-old carpeting, installed new light fixtures and fixed wiring. The center’s single-pane windows were swapped out for energy-efficient, dual-paned windows. 

Cooper rejoiced watching metal kitchen cabinets that could be difficult to open taken out in favor of modern ones that open every time without effort, she said.

Ribbon Cutting at the renovated senior center

‘I would not have anywhere to go’

However, Hughes has witnessed the town’s resiliency. 

She said the upgrades through the federal grant are not just an improved experience — motivating more residents to join a game of canasta or attend the center’s monthly potlucks — they also contribute to San Manuel’s future by strengthening the town’s ties. Friendships can keep a community together. 

“(Seniors) need to talk. I tell them that all the time,” Hughes said, emphasizing the benefits of social interaction. 

Now the San Manuel Senior Center can support community gatherings for years to come.

The San Manuel Senior Center