“We love this place!” are the words most often heard regarding the Sylvania Senior Center. This sentiment is echoed by both newcomers and those who have been making their way to the center for several years. Marilyn Snyder, a more than 12-year active Sylvania Senior Center regular, whose enthusiasm for the facility prompted visitors to ask if she lived at the center, quickly replied, “No, but I come alive here!” In addition to volunteering as a center tour guide, she gives her time to work in the office when she’s not busy helping to set up programs, enjoying game time, or helping with Participant Council projects.
Newly retired Bill Hatcher quickly found a comfortable, enjoyable, and productive routine building dollhouse furniture for his granddaughters in the center woodshop. “This has been a fantastic experience going into retirement,” he noted.  “I bask in the knowledge and level of skill that are found in those who come to the shop and, I am thrilled that they are willing to share their knowledge and skills.”
Participant Council President Connie Knestrick has been actively engaged at the Sylvania Senior Center for over 10 years and became part of the board shortly after. She is also the impetus behind the annual Odds & Ends Sale, a successful fundraising event for the council. “When I’m here,  I feel as if I am home,” she said.
Mary Ann and Carroll Cannon, a very active husband and wife team, are also involved with almost every aspect of the center, from leading book discussions to offering photography lessons. “The Sylvania Senior Center is important in our lives. For us, it is a place to make friends, to volunteer, to exercise, and to enjoy our hobbies. Also, it was very helpful for information on resources to get us through Carroll’s recent illness,” Mrs. Cannon offered.
According to Senior Center Director Jane Hankenhof Curry, the Center is a vibrant community for individuals ages 55+ that supports active and transformational aging, enhances well-being, where friendships blossom, memories are made, kindness is abundant, there’s generous amounts of fun, and everyone is welcome! “We offer an extensive variety of programs, services, special events, and resources daily,” she offered. Each week we offer 11 fitness classes, including cardio drumming, line dancing, tai chi, strength training, and two types of yoga, along with activities such as ping pong and open gym.” Participants can also be involved in current event discussion groups, join the knitting and crocheting groups, or enjoy listening to the Sylvania Senior Center Band practice. Valuable services such as daily meals, wellness screenings, grief counseling, legal services, and foot care are also offered. Wood carving, wood shop activities, quilting, painting classes, ceramics, and card-making classes are available, along with mahjong, bridge, euchre, pinochle, scrabble, bingo, and billiards. Movies are shown on the third Wednesday of each month, accompanied by root beer floats and popcorn. Educational programs presented by local professionals include such topics as scams, Medicare, and Social Security, local community services, estate planning, and understanding dementia. Coffee with a Cop presented by Sylvania Township and Sylvania Police departments, is a favorite.  Special events include the annual Women’s Tea, Health Fairs in the Spring and Fall, holiday-themed events, and so much more!  “There is really something for everyone,” Curry said.“The Sylvania Senior Center’s mission is to serve individuals ages 55+; however, we recognized that many individuals are now working until age 70 or later, and attending daytime programming doesn’t fit in their schedule. In May, we launched 55+ After 5, a 12-week series offering working and newly retired older adults a variety of evening fitness classes. It was well attended and showed us that there is a need for an after-hours venue for those who cannot attend activities during the day,” she continued.

From the beginning
Today’s Senior Center has come a long way from its humble beginnings when, in 1974, a grassroots effort led to the formation of the Sylvania Action Interest League or SAIL.
In 1978, two years after Sylvania Community Services was formed from a partnership between the city of Sylvania, Sylvania Township, and Sylvania Schools,  SAIL became part of the SCC organization, finding a home in the former Burnham Building. Thanks to the city and township, the 7140 Sylvania Ave. Sylvania Senior Center’s ADA-accessible, senior-friendly building was constructed in 2002. Sylvania Community Services continues to provide the staffing and management of the Sylvania Senior Center.
Funding sources for the Senior Center include the city of Sylvania and Sylvania Township Levy, the Area Office on Aging, and Lucas County Senior Services Levy, private donations, and fundraising events. “Since 2000, the residents of Sylvania have shown consistent support for the Senior Center through the passage of local levies. We’ve earned trust through financial stewardship. While we’ve seen a decrease in Area Office on Aging funding, we continue to work hard to maintain a strong financial standing through diverse revenue sources, including seeking grants and donations. And we take care of our facility with a strict maintenance schedule,” noted Baron Black, president of the Sylvania Community Center’s board of directors.
“Over the years, tough staffing decisions have been made. We’ve gone from 11 employees to just five—but we continue to serve more people than ever. In 2024, we served 1,500 unduplicated individuals, and in just the first three quarters of 2025, 545 new participants have joined us. That exceeds the 478 new participants for all of 2024,” Black pointed out.
“This is all being done without receiving an increase in levy funding since 2015. Meanwhile, inflation and an aging infrastructure make it difficult to keep pace with 2015-era budgets. To meet these needs, voters will have the opportunity to approve a .50 mill levy on the Nov. 4 ballot that replaces the current .042-mill expiring levy, which was $11.60 per $1,000 home value. The cost of this replaceable levy is $17.50 per $100,000 home value.