The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland has a new name, and soon, a new location. Now known as AgeLinc, the nonprofit organization is moving into a building that will more than double its square footage.
“We’re out of space in our building,” said executive director Carolyn Austin, referring to the organization’s current location at 3100 Montvale Dr. in Springfield, which is just over 5,000 square feet. “We added an additional staff member last year and she’s working in a kitchenette.”
The foundation that oversees AgeLinc recently purchased 2731 S. MacArthur Blvd. and the group will occupy the entire first level. The upstairs space will be leased to Visiting Angels and ICARE, which both receive funding from AgeLinc.
“ICARE is currently housed in our building with us, but now they’ll be able to have their own space,” Austin said of the long-term care ombudsman program. Visiting Angels, which offers in-home care for seniors, receives grant funding from AgeLinc for respite services.
Austin said the larger space will allow the organization to add additional programming. While AgeLinc will still subcontract with others who provide services, it will also be able to offer more services of its own.
“We plan to launch a community initiative offering sessions for people to help them age in place, prepare for retirement and more,” explained Austin. “We’ll be able to have extra programming we haven’t done in the past.”
Austin said the building on MacArthur is currently undergoing renovations and the organization plans to move in mid-April, with a grand opening scheduled for June 5.
