Forest Hills senior center hosts free open house

The Life Enrichment Center will open its doors to the public on Saturday, Nov. 7, to mark 46 years of operation in Forest Hills. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9704 N. Boulevard and is free of charge.

Bev Kieny, the center’s director, described the annual gathering as a way to recognize the members who create art during regular sessions. Attendees at the open house can view these pieces and purchase them from the artists. Kieny hopes the event will help residents sell their work to visitors.

The nonprofit serves adults aged 50 and older from across Hillsborough County and Tampa. Members travel from areas including Citrus Park and Wesley Chapel to participate in monthly activities. More than 700 people visit the center each month for classes and clubs.

Programming includes painting, needlepoint, and beginner Spanish lessons. Participants also play mahjong and dominoes and join groups focused on walking, tai chi, and chair yoga. Kieny stated that the center offers more than 15 classes weekly and can serve over 5,000 people annually.

The organization purchased its current building in 1980. The founders raised the necessary funds by recycling newspapers. Kieny, who has led the center for approximately two years, characterized that initial fundraising effort as an act of love. The center currently receives tax-deductible donations and support from the Hillsborough County Commission, the W.H. Albers Foundation, and the Couch Family Foundation.

Kieny noted that many first-time visitors arrive without a clear understanding of the center’s offerings. She observed that regular attendees often remain because of the social connections they form rather than specific classes. The National Institute on Aging states that social interaction can become more difficult with age, leading to loneliness and isolation.

Kieny has watched retirees enter the facility unsure of what to expect and then thrive through the relationships they build. “It’s easy to learn a new skill like mahjong or watercolor painting in such a welcoming environment,” she said. “So, it’s not just about what we offer, it’s also about how we can offer a social connection.” The center’s website is lectampa.org.