The City of La Porte embraces senior residents through first Legacy of Care Showcase

The rain didn’t stop the City of La Porte on the night of Thursday, November 5, from inviting local organizations, business owners, partners of the city, and members of the Activity Center for Older Adults to its first ever Legacy of Care Showcase. The event took place at the Activity Center for Older Adults within the Northshore Health Center, welcoming attendees to take a look at everything the center has to offer senior residents within the community.

Anyone who came by was welcome to enjoy a snack, mingle, play a game, or browse through the informational binders and pamphlets meant to provide helpful resources. Cindy Polito, director of the Activity Center for Older Adults, and her fellow members came together as a team to bring the night together. Through planning as a committee and contacting community partners, the first Legacy of Care Showcase was a night for connection.

Through the showcase, Polito, activity center members, and volunteers aimed to show community partners what the center does, what members take part in, and to reach out for partnerships to help maintain the critical work they do.

As residents enter their golden years, it can be difficult to maintain relationships or even find a reason to leave the house. Keeping active and engaging in exercise, connecting with friendly faces in person, or even playing a mentally stimulating game can make all the difference in a senior’s life.

“If seniors aren’t mentally and physically active as they grow older, statistically, they pass on earlier,” said Dee DeVincent, volunteer and member of the Activity Center. “Five years ago, we had the possibility of the doors closing. I don’t want to ever see that happen. There are some people who have no other place to go.”

Tonight was about protecting older adults who have helped shape La Porte over the years. In the Activity Center’s most recent survey from 2025, 65% of seniors surveyed noted they were lonely. This was a major cause for concern for Polito and the team.

“They are the people who set the foundation. That generation has made a lot of sacrifices, and we appreciate that. We want seniors in La Porte to live the very best life that they can,” Polito said. “I had a member tell me that there are days where she goes without speaking a word unless she calls somebody on the phone. It’s so critical to have human contact.”

The Legacy of Care Showcase was a vital step in helping the activity center continue to grow. Being able to get the word out that there is a safe, friendly place to continue learning and making connections will better serve the community, while helping the center gain necessary support to continue its mission.

The Activity Center for Older Adults falls beneath the Parks Department within city government — La Porte has a higher percentage of senior residents, and the city is aware of it, but more help is always welcome when it comes to uplifting the residents who may have been overlooked as they age.

Not all support comes in the form of finances. Some members of local organizations assisted in ways that may seem simple, such as taking printable calendars along with them to display to the public, but make all the difference.

“I’ve been here for 30 years, I’ve talked with people who were born and raised here who still don’t know that we have a senior center,” DeVincent said. “Getting the word out is so important.”

Polito and the dedicated members and volunteers for the Activity Center continue to look forward to the future to continue finding ways to support the senior population of La Porte. Whether a senior is looking for somewhere to exercise amongst peers, pick up a new hobby, or chat over coffee, the Activity Center has its doors open.

“We are proud and honored to be part of the city services, and to be able to provide this for residents,” Polito said.

To learn more information about the Activity Center for Older Adults, browse the La Porte Parks and Recreation website here. To find more about the City of La Porte, visit cityoflaporte.com.