M. O. T. Senior Center
Welcome to the M.O.T. Senior Center, a beacon of community support and engagement located in the heart of Middletown, Delaware. Established in July 1967, the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center, Inc. was born out of the visionary collaboration between Mr. James Mullen, the Mayor of Middletown, and Miriam Fillingame. Recognizing the unmet needs of the senior population in the vast rural area, they joined forces with Dr. Hector J. Lemaire of the Bureau of Aging to turn their dream into reality. The initial funds were secured from the Bureau of Aging, State, and Federal sources, with the local Jaycees generously offering a portion of their building on South Scott Street as the first home for the Center. In July of 1967, the M.O.T. Senior Center opened its doors to 152 members, marking the beginning of a legacy dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors in the community.
Serving as the sole senior center in lower New Castle County, our reach extends from the Kent County line to the Canal and from the Maryland line to the Delaware River/Bay. Over the years, the center has evolved to meet the changing needs of the aging population, expanding its services to include a nutrition program that started as a covered dish luncheon and grew into a self-supporting initiative through generous donations. In 1971, the State Division of Housing collaborated with the center to develop a 24-unit senior housing project, Holly Square, which became the permanent home of the M.O.T. Senior Center in 1972. United Way and the Division of Aging added their support in 1974, solidifying our commitment to providing comprehensive services to the senior community.
As the decades passed, the M.O.T. Senior Center continued to grow and adapt, responding to the increasing demand for senior transportation. Thanks to the support of Senator Donald Issacs in 1976, the Center secured funding for its first bus, eventually expanding its fleet to include a minibus and a medical van in 1983. The dedication of individuals like Mr. Harry A. & Laura Schragrin, who donated 6.9 acres of land in 1990, allowed the Center to thrive further. Today, situated on this generous donation, our 9,000-square-foot building, with its Victorian design, stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to our mission.
At present, our membership exceeds 1100, and we proudly serve over 1500 seniors annually. The M.O.T. Senior Center is not just a place; it is an anchor in our community. While our primary focus is on meeting the needs of our senior members, we extend our impact to the general and disabled communities through essential services such as food distribution and medical transportation. As a hub location for community meetings, we foster connection and collaboration, embodying our mission to enable older adults in our service area to maintain active, healthy, productive, and financially secure lives.