Today we’d like to introduce you to Gena Bertelsen.
Hi Gena, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
13 lucky years ago I was crowned the Queen of the Orem Senior Friendship Center.
At that time we had an average of 99 patrons per day coming through our doors. Fast forward to today and we average 400 people a day stopping by for learning or exercise opportunities, fun events and our wonderful homemade meals.
We are the largest, most active senior center in Utah!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The process of growth is never smooth but there is so much to learn along the way.
I try to learn each patrons name and something about them. At first, I took a picture of everyone so I had a visual reference. There was a new “Dance Craze’ going on called the Harlem Shake and I thought it would be fun to do it as a group. During lunch I would show some videos of groups doing the dance and ask if anyone wanted to do it and I would post it online. No one raised their hand.
I tried a different approach. I left my laptop on the photos I had taken of them and out activities when I turned on the big screen. There were oohs and ahhs from the crowd as they looked at themselves and their friends. Then I segued into the idea of the Harlem Shake and asked who would like to try it. Several hands went up and by the time we did it we had almost 100 people involved. Once they saw the video of the finished product they started saying, “We can do better! Let’s do it again!”
It was something totally different than they have ever done but we haven’t looked back! We have grabbed every bull by the horns and road like the wind on crazy fun things!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the director, or as I like to call it, the Queen, of the Orem Senior Friendship Center. We are known far and wide for setting the bar for offering what the senior community wants and needs.
We have won several awards for our programming and offer exclusive events and opportunities to enrich the lives of our senior friends. We love partnering with senior service businesses that are interested in serving our seniors and forming a relationship of trust with them so that when our seniors need those services they know who to turn to.
We are the only center to have Brilliant University, a continued learning opportunity introducing 12-15 new classes twice a year for 9 week semesters. Many of these classes are so popular that they continue year round!
Two years ago we felt that a great way to honor our patrons was to have a Ms. and Mr. OSFC Golden Years Pageant. The crowned royalty works with the city and represents us at ribbon cuttings and city events.
We also brag about our biggest event every year called The Grammy’s where patrons dress in their finest clothes, walk the red carpet while paparazzi snaps photos. They enjoy hors d’oeuvres and sparkling cider in fancy cups while mingling with the “stars” from our senior services community partners. An award/variety show follows honoring those who have entertained us over the last year. We look forward to this on the last Friday of March.
One of our biggest flexes is cooking our own meals from scratch. Delicious offerings, Monday through Friday for only $6 per meal. If you are a senior and buy 4 or more meals at a time the cost goes down to $5 per meal! Lasagna, Meatloaf, Real Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Homemade Rolls, Fresh Salads. All the comfort foods you love.
What matters most to you?
I love sending my friends home smiling and maybe even laughing. I want them to feel seen and heard. It is so important that someone knows their name, even touches their shoulder or gives a hug when they can. If we haven’t seen them on a day they normally attend we give them a call to let them know they are missed.
Above all, every single person matters the most to me and to my staff.
Pricing:
- $20 annual membership for 55-80 years old
- Free annual membership for 80+
- Some classes have additional costs such as woodshop.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oremseniorfriendshipcenter/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OremSeniorCenter/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@oremseniorfriendshipcenter9435
