Organization History:

The Wasilla Senior Center Program started in the basement of the Wasilla Museum in 1978 as a drop-in center.  The center was a part-time program that was under the direction of the Salvation Army Senior Citizens Program.

By September 1980, the Center was offering luncheons and the occasional social activity in what was then the old Wasilla Elementary School.  In the summer of 1981, the Wasilla Senior Center was moved to Big Lake Elementary School due to increasing need for space.  1981 also saw a legislative appropriation combined with a Mat-Su Borough and City of Wasilla funding contribution to build a permanent structure on three acres of land donated by Mr. Frank Smith.

The official name of the center itself was chosen to be the Floyd D. Smith Community Senior Center in memory of Mr. Smith’s father, who had homesteaded the donated land on which the center was built.  While the structure was under construction the Wasilla Senior Center was housed in the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.  In 1981, the Wasilla Area Senior Center, a non-profit corporation was formed.  Today, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. provides coordination of services and continues to serve meals; both congregate and home delivered, to seniors residing in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Since its beginning, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. has evolved and expanded to meet the ever-changing needs of our older American population. As the number of seniors continues to grow immensely in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. anticipates even larger numbers of older Americans accessing services at our center.  We strive to provide excellent service for the senior population in a caring, respectful and dignified manner.  Our board of Directors is comprised of individuals who are business professionals in our local communities and who have strong leadership skills and key stakeholders from the senior population.  Wasilla Area Senior, Inc. feel that our board has lead the way in the quality of services we provide and will continue to guide the center in a forward-thinking, proactive manner, to best meet the needs of our members and the seniors in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

 Today, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. is located in Wasilla, Alaska and provides services and resources to promote and sustain a healthy life style for seniors living in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.