Cherished friendships have blossomed within one of our senior residences.

There is always something fun going on at the Josephine P. Argento Senior Center, one of 12 Catholic Charities senior centers and located within our Bernardin Manor senior housing residence in Calumet City. The Center provides a shared midday meal as well as a wide variety of activities and events to keep seniors active and engaged. Recently, the Center had the honor of being chosen by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to participate in its study on the growing importance of senior centers nationwide. 

It was exciting for Argento Center participants to let NCOA know how vital the Center is to their physical and mental health. Magnolia Chandler, a 10-year Bernardin Manor resident and Center participant, says “Every day I thank God that I get to wake up in my beautiful apartment and come here to the Center to be with my friends for fun and fellowship. Sometimes seniors don’t have as much to do, but there is something here for us every day to keep us active and healthy.” 

Magnolia attributes the success of the Argento Center to its dynamic director, Robert Boyd, a former cruise director who has led the Center since 2012. “Rob is wonderful. There is nothing he won’t do for us. He is just a real, real blessing—so respectful and kind to all of us. I feel like he is one of my sons.”

Rob, on the other hand, attributes the success of the Center to the residents. “I just do what they tell me to do,” he laughs. “All the members of the Senior Council come up with the ideas for the parties, events, activities, food…I am grateful to them for making my job easier! And they help whenever needed. I know I can count on Magnolia and the other residents to make our activities a success.”

Magnolia and Rob are grateful for each other, and for Catholic Charities. “I don’t know what I would do without the Center and my home in Bernardin Manor,” Magnolia says. “I am grateful to Catholic Charities for all of it, everything.”  Rob adds, “I am eternally grateful to Catholic Charities for giving me the opportunity to serve the seniors here. They bring joy to my life and make me smile every day!”