Chapter 01
Lucille
Bernadette's mother was a third-grade teacher for thirty-four years. At seventy-nine, living alone with early Alzheimer's, she started leaving the stove on. There was no day program in town. That was the beginning.
Our story
How we got here
How an empty bank building became the busiest weekday in downtown El Dorado.
Our story
From a bank to a day center
Chapter 02
The bank
The First National building on Cedar Street had been empty since 1998. Bernadette and her husband, Walter, bought it in 2009, kept the marble and the vault door, added an elevator, a kitchen and a shower room, and opened with twelve members in 2010.
Chapter 03
The people
Most of our staff grew up within ten miles of the square. Several have been here more than ten years. Members don't have to explain themselves to new faces every week.
- 1926the year the bank opened
- 44members on a busy day
- 4:1members to staff
- 15years on Cedar Street
Ratings & recognition · sample
- Downtown Association · Restoration Award
- Readers' Choice · Best Senior Program
- County Chamber · Small Business of the Year
- Area Agency on Aging · Community Partner
- Regional Medical Center · Preferred Day Program
- Historic Preservation Society · Building Award
Lunch is served in the lobby at noon.
Bring your mother or your dad for a free day, lunch and the van included. Call or text and we'll set it up.