Brief History of FiftyForward

(formerly Senior Citizens, Inc.)

In 2006, Senior Citizens, Inc. (SCI) celebrated 50 years of helping older adults in Davidson and Williamson counties live fuller, more productive lives. SCI was founded through the interest of Dr. Cyril Ruilmann, the first Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, and Dr. Sebastian Tine, an instructor at the University of Tennessee’s School of Social Work, in meeting the needs of the community’s aging population.

Following research and conversations among area religious, civic, fraternal and service organizations, the first SCI board of trustees met on July 10, 1956. Formal operations began September 1. Dr. Tine became SCI’s first executive director.

From a three-day-a-week program for active seniors at the Knowles Center, to a network of seven centers in 2007, SCI has grown to be the premier nonprofit organization serving adults 55 and older in Middle Tennessee.

In addition to the activity centers, specific services and programs have developed to encourage volunteerism/continued community service and to keep seniors living independently and with dignity as long as possible.

In the fall of 2006, a Branding Committee was formed to explore the possibility of changing the name of the organization – based on stereotypes that limited the public’s perception of what SCI does. The Committee performed several months of research and study, and included interviews, phone surveys, e-surveys and focus groups in its process. In August 2007, the Committee proposed to the Executive Committee and then to the Board of Directors the name FiftyForward. The name represents our proud 50-year history plus our commitment as an innovative agency to enrich the lives of those 50 and older in our community. The name was unanimously approved. Following a period of planning and preparation, the new name was officially introduced on June 3, 2008.

Milestones through the years have included the following events.

1965 – SCI became one of the few national sites for the newly initiated, federally funded Foster Grandparent Program.

1969 – Meals on Wheels program organized.

1983 - SCI secures Senior Corps RSVP program, providing a volunteer center for adults 55+.

1986 – College Grove Senior Center is founded.

1993 – RSVP program launches FLIP (Friends Learning in Pairs) program, training senior volunteers to mentor/tutor children with reading skills challenges in grades K-4.

1994 – Volunteer Respite Caregivers becomes an SCI Living At Home program.

1996 – Brentwood Senior Group (later the Martin Center) and Madison Station Senior Center begin operations.

1997 – Victory Over Crime program begins.

1997 – Respite Care Program expands to include Senior Companions.

1998 – Senior Support Services and Peer Counseling program established.

1998 – SCI Living At Home Program selected by the Tennessee General Assembly to conduct a pilot project, CHOICE, to demonstrate the benefits of home and community based care (over nursing homes). Grant expires in 2001.

2000 – SCI begins its first major capital/endowment campaign to raise $13.5 million to fund the building of three centers and grow the SCI endowment.

2002 – Capital/Endowment Campaign ends with a total of $14.3 million.

2001 – SCI forms a partnership with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee to explore building a co-habited facility in Bellevue. The J. L. Turner Lifelong Learning Center and the Bellevue Family YMCA open in September 2006.

2003 – Metro Government transfers management of the Knowles Trust to SCI.

2004 – Senior Center for the Arts is formed and receives a boost from the Frist Foundation with a $15,000 Innovation in Action Award.

2007 – Two capital campaigns are launched: $5 million to renovate the Senior Center for the Arts and the Donelson Center and build the endowment for both, as well as a $5 million effort to support the renovation of the former Bordeaux library to become the Northwest Senior Center and to establish an endowment for the center’s programs and services. Campaign put on hold for 2009 due to economic recession.

2007 - National Institute of Senior Centers grants accreditation to five SCI centers: College Grove, Donelson Station, Knowles, Madison Station and Martin.

2007 - Music for Seniors established to link professional musicians with seniors -- in their homes, programs (e.g. adult day care) and hi-rises -- for monthly interactive performance.

June 3, 2008 – Senior Citizens, Inc. officially becomes FiftyForward.