Services to area seniors continue without NOA
By Jacob Wise
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 2, 2003
Project NOA’s time at IVCC may have ended, but services rendered to area seniors will remain in motion without interruption.
Earlier this year, IVCC declined renewal of Project NOA’s use of the east campus facilities, where the organization has centered its operation for more than 25 years. IVCC decided not to renew Project NOA’s use of facilities because of financial difficulties affecting the college at this time.
Upon notice of IVCC’s refusal to renew sponsorship for Project NOA, many agencies began to draft proposals to Western Illinois Agency on Aging, or WIAA, in hopes of assuming the role as benefactor for the discontinued program.
Ultimately, The Voluntary Action Center or VAC, a senior outreach program out of DeKalb, won the rights to become the sole benefactor of Project NOA meals for La Salle County. Bureau County Senior Citizens will provide meals in Bureau County.
However, the senior activities that used to be at Project NOA’s college site will be moving to Ottawa and will be provided by Alternatives for Older Adults. The transition officially took effect Oct. 1.
“Mr. (Les) Borden, interim director of Project NOA, and Thomas Pucker, executive director of VAC, have told me that VAC is going to hire most of our employees,” Jerry Corcoran, IVCC’s vice president of business and finance, said regarding Project NOA’s transition to a new provider. “The reason the whole transition worked out so well was because of open, honest dialogue between WIAA and IVCC’s administration.
“They understood our position regarding the need for space to offer occupational programs, we knew what they needed, and we all figured out a way to support each other. That is what trust, dialogue and collaborative problem solving is all about. The end result is a win-win situation for everyone.”
VAC will continue having a kitchen in the La Salle County area serving the 800 meals a day area seniors have come to depend on for so long.
“Our bottom line has always been that seniors and staff will not miss a beat regarding the transition of Project NOA to VAC, Alternatives for Older Adults and Bureau County Senior Services Organization,” said Corcoran.
Borden declined comment concerning Project NOA’s discontinuation at IVCC.