The Patricia A. Jones Center, operated by Waukegan Township, offers a wide range of services designed to enrich the lives of residents aged 55 and over. From health and wellness programs to support groups, the center provides valuable resources such as free lawn care and snow removal. Additionally, the center organizes outings—from day-long excursions to international tours—and hosts a variety of activities including pool, card games, line dancing, and woodworking.
Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones emphasized the center’s mission: “We want to give the community a place to feel comfortable, find camaraderie, and have their needs met.” Marc Jones is the son of former Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia A. Jones, for whom the center is named. Patricia Jones founded the facility as Park Place Senior Center in 1992 during her seven-term leadership of the township.
The work of the Patricia A. Jones Center has received recognition from the Illinois Department on Aging. Mary Killough, director of the agency, praised the center’s impact: “We recognize what they are doing for older adults is having a positive impact. Their programs educating the community are important because information is power.”
On Friday, Killough presented the Patricia A. Jones Center with the Governor’s Engaging Aging Award in acknowledgment of the center’s long-standing dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors in the township and beyond. Recipients of this award are nominated by one of 13 agencies that collaborate with organizations devoted to improving the lives of older adults.
The Jones Center was nominated by AgeGuide, a group working with senior-focused organizations across eight northern Illinois counties. AgeGuide CEO Marla Franczak highlighted the center’s responsiveness to community needs. “When a need arises, the Patricia A. Jones Center finds a way to help older adults through a challenging time.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the center provided meal boxes that included ingredients and recipes for home-cooked meals. “The program was such a success, it continues today in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago,” Franczak noted.
Franczak also credited both Marc Jones and Center Director Cheri Pearson White for the facility’s success. As the partnership with Catholic Charities grew, the organization frequently provided food for township events. “Catholic Charities brings the food, Cheri brings the party,” Franczak said with a smile.
Beyond meals and events, the center offers a variety of classes that address seniors’ diverse needs—from financial literacy to mastering 21st-century technology. Several support groups are also available. “We have support groups for people with diabetes and pre-diabetes,” Marc Jones explained. “We have them for people with cardiovascular issues, hyperthyroid, and cancer. We’re adding Alzheimer’s in 2026, for both those affected and their caregivers.”
In addition to programming, the center offers practical services like free lawn care in the summer and snow removal during winter. Youths from the community perform this work under adult supervision, providing them an opportunity to earn money and support their families.
Recreation is another key component at the Patricia A. Jones Center. The facility features a wood shop, regular card games, four pool tables, art project spaces, a gift shop, and line dancing classes, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Franczak added that when a senior-related service is at risk of ending, the center steps in to keep it going. Center staff also help older adults adapt to evolving technology and lifestyles. “During COVID, they identified older adults with limited internet access and helped them connect with tablets along with introductory Zoom training,” she said. “As the world reopened, the center continued this work in partnership with other agencies.”
The Patricia A. Jones Center remains a vital resource in Waukegan Township, committed to supporting seniors through meaningful programs, essential services, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/11/patricia-a-jones-center-honored/
