01907 Winter 2022

24 | 01907
A place to thrive
and feel alive
BY SYLVIA CHEN
PHOTOS BY LIBBY O'NEILL
He's sat behind a lot of steering
wheels during his career as a driver,
but Robbi Mohammad Islam calls the
Swampscott Senior Center van the
"happiest" vehicle he has ever driven.
Driving Swampscott seniors to and
from the center in the many vehicles he
has operated, the "happy" van has been
his favorite means of conveyance.
Behind the steering wheel, he witnesses
how all the center has to offer
changes people.
“All the seniors come here and enjoy
their days, going home with smiles,
“said Mohammad Islam.
The Senior Center provides various
activities as a powerful force in the battle
with the rising mental health concern
among seniors. From trips to the
music theaters to every Friday’s movie,
the activities are rated “impressive” by
their members.
“The staff seems to be feeling our
needs,” said member at the Senior
Center Marion Garfinkel, “they have
many different activities, it is a pleasure.
Every day there's something different
on their agenda.”
In addition to maintaining a crowded
activity schedule, the Senior Center
arranges for hairdressers and podiatrists
to provide their services to seniors as a
time, travel, and money-saving option.
To hear some people tell the story,
the push to build Swampscott High
School included a plan to provide an
addition on the school to house the
senior center and, in return, garner
seniors' votes for the school project and
town financial commitment tied to it.
The Senior Center has been at its
location for 12 years till now, with 601
CENTER, continued on page 26