Photo by Kennedy Nolen
Mid-Illinois Senior Services Director Kathi Shackles

•October 5, 2016•

By Kennedy D. Nolen
For the News Progress

The board of members at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center chose Kathi Shackles to be the new director, after 12 years of employment at the center.

“I was excited and honored to be chosen,” Shackles said.

The senior center offers advocacy for seniors, Medicare/Medicaid counseling, legal aid, transportation, and is also a site for Peace Meals hosted by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

About 10 to 15 people come in for Peace Meals each day, Shackles said.

Usually if the schools are closed in the winter for snow days, the senior center is too. This means the Peace Meal is cancelled as well, and TNT Pizzeria has hosted the meals in the past on days where the center is not open.

Shackles is available to answer insurance questions, find clients new insurance companies and will even file official complaints if need be. Help is also offered to those needing guidance navigating the Medicare/Medicaid websites.

As director, Shackles must now deal with the fiscal and financial side of the organization. She said she has a bigger responsibility, but loves the challenge.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.