The Open Link is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year!
While it has been a long and varied path to get to 50, we have managed to reach the half-century mile mark. For newbies like me, I’ve largely learned about the amazing work of The Open Link through our archives, stories and the people who were there from the beginning.
I’d love to share a little of the history that I’ve heard with you!
- The Open Line and The Upper Perk Senior Center came together to create The Open Link in 2013. Originally, there were three organizations in talks about merging, but one opted out. That said, the two root organizations – the UP Senior Center and the Open Line both have histories of serving the valley that span 50 years. The merger was the result of “Courageous Conversations” happening at that time looking at ways to streamline services to the community at-large.
- Through the merger, both entities brought their buildings along and we now know them as the Center at 517 Jefferson Street and The Open Link Main Office at 452 Penn Street. The Center was originally a church and Penn Street was a County building until 2021, when The Open Link took ownership of the property.
- Both The Open Line and The UP Senior Center were started by a group of concerned citizens coming together to meet the needs of their own neighbors through their work on the Upper Perk Valley Community Council and through the Upper Perk Ministerium. Both have had a long and storied history of supporting the community and The Open Link is still directly connected to them.
- The Community Council now runs the Community Thrift Store with The Open Link and the library having permanent seats at the leadership table, helping guide the thrift store in its charitable intent. Each organization receives proceeds from the Thrift store to help support our missions.
- The Ministerium is also still deeply involved. While some of the players have changed, the group meets once a month to connect and determine ways to support the community with The Open Link, Project Live and other organizations. It is a chance for us to share our wins as well as our challenges. Each member of the ministerium also provides the pantry with food on a regular basis…for instance, Finland Mennonite is our “Mac and Cheese” church.
- The spirit of collaboration has created other entities as well. Project Live, the local prevention and recovery awareness coalition, was created around the same time as the merger and has a home in the basement of the Senior Center, where they meet and store outreach materials.
- Many of our notable citizens have played a part in The Open Link’s success, including several of the leading businesses having been or are currently on the board including Stauffer Glove and Safety, Titanium Finishing Company, Gillespie Electric and so many others - The Open Link has had the benefit of so many deep community connections.
- During the last 50 years, there have been 5 Executive Directors including Ro Hartzell, Lilibet Co, Stu Bush, Monique Hendricks and me (the newbie!) That is a great history of stable leadership! In addition, many of the employees have been here more than 10 years including Scott Basara and Laura Dzugan.
These are just a few of the interesting tidbits that surround the last 50 years of our history, but I would love to hear about YOUR connections to The Open Link – as volunteers, supporters, staff, board, center participants and customers! Please drop me a note sharing how The Open Link connected with your life at mariannel@theopenlink.org. Over the next 12 months, we will share many of these stories on the website and on social media.
In addition, this month’s Link is devoted to our Annual Planting Hope Garden Party Celebration, which promises to be very special as we commemorate this milestone. I hope you will join us this year!
