Auburn Gresham Welcomes Senior Suites
Ernest Sanders
Published: December 14, 2006
Photo: Ernest Sanders
In a groundbreaking ceremony just two blocks away from where Mayor Richard Daley commemorated the Streetscape on 79th Street with the GADC, William Kaplan, chairman and CEO of Senior Lifestyle Corporation, officially acknowledged a partnership between the Beloved Community and St. Sabina Church, the City of Chicago (Mayor’s Office, Depts. of Aging, Housing and Planning & Development), the State of Illinois to include the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and themselves to build a Senior Suites housing facility in Auburn Gresham.
According to Kaplan, “Senior Suites will allow eligible Auburn Gresham residents to maintain an exceptional quality of life.”
Photo: Ernest Sanders
As part of the package offered, the Auburn Gresham location will include a satellite facility of the City of Chicago’s Department of Aging. Also, this nearly 80,000 square foot facility will provide healthy lifestyle amenities as “Fit For Life” program, modern exercise equipment, and stimulating social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities, and excellent menu choices.
A host of other civic & community leaders and neighborhood seniors also praised Senior Suites for coming to Auburn Gresham.
Betty Swanson, a senior and community activist said, “Seniors are fortunate to have Senior Suites come to Auburn Gresham.”
Alderman Latasha Thomas spoke highly of Senior Suites in Auburn Gresham and their “positive influence to the Mighty 17th Ward.”
Photo: Ernest Sanders
State Senator Jacqueline Collins reiterated the importance of housing for African Americans and seniors. She said that Senior Suites in Auburn Gresham is line with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King which states, “People everywhere, especially seniors, should have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”
Rev. Dr. Michael Pfleger, said “Senior Suites in Auburn Gresham will give our seniors the opportunity to remain in the community in which they were raised. They can experience the renaissance of the community.” Pfleger also commended Kaplan for ensuring an African American workforce of labors and contractors.
Photo: Ernest Sanders
The groundbreaking ceremony ended with an official groundbreaking by all of the dignitaries present.
Senior Suites offers affordable apartment homes with many amenities to serve the need of the elderly Chicago residents.
Click here to learn more about the application process to become a Senior Suites of Auburn Gresham tenant.
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