History of the OPC in Rochester will be the Featured Presentation of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s June Brown Bag Meeting on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 12 noon, held at the Rochester Community House.
Marye Miller founder of the OPC in Rochester
The final brown bag meeting of the season will feature Marye Miller, founder and retired executive director of the Older Persons Commission (OPC), who will discuss the dynamic history of this nationally known senior center from the days when she began driving seniors for the Rochester Avon Recreation Authority Senior Transportation program to the current $14 million building with its wide range of activities and services.
During the 1970s, while driving seniors between nursing homes and part-time senior activity centers, Marye saw first-hand that, with few activities and limited transportation services, the needs of local seniors were not being met. So she began to campaign on behalf of seniors when she testified in Washington D.C. to protect their financial resources.
In 1982, Miller organized a successful millage campaign to establish a non-profit organization dedicated to providing seniors with services and activities. In 1984, she utilized grant funds to purchase the vacant school building on Woodward Street and won another millage for seniors in Oakland Township. Over the next 19 years, the OPC center thrived with more programming, fundraisers, volunteers and financial planning. In 2003, the OPC moved to its present location on Letica Drive.
This program is free and open to the public. Bring your lunch. Free coffee and cookies will be provided.
The Rochester Community House
816 Ludlow Street
Rochester, MI 48307
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