SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN) — For seniors, maintaining their mental health is just as important as maintaining their physical health.
Nogales Senior Center promotes physical and mental health through free activities every week of the year.
The address is 125 E. Madison St., Nogales, Ariz.
One of the most popular services is the free exercise classes run by local trainers.
Adam Klepp
But these classes don't just involve getting up and moving.
“Isolation has an extremely negative impact on an individual's mental health. If you have to stay at home alone all day, isolation is a deadly disease,” said Marcelino Verona, one of the center's directors.
That's why the Nogales Senior Center is open to the public every day, free of charge, creating community.
“A lot of us live alone so it's good to have that interaction,” Jan Newell said.
Newell said she tries to come to the center every day and loves running the bingo games.
The activities are fun, but it's the community that keeps her coming back.
“For the most part, it makes all of us feel more alive and active,” Newell said. “If you're not here, the next time you come in people ask, 'Where have you been? What are you doing?'”
Adam Klepp
Directors are seeking to continue receiving funding from state and federal governments, and Varona said the facility is vital to the community.
“We're the only ones. We're the only ones with the funds to do it,” Varona said.
This is the only free senior center in Nogales, but there are many other programs and resources available in Santa Cruz County.
Click here to see Directory of County Senior Citizen Resources.
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Adam Klepp teeth KGUN 9 reporterIn his previous post in Yuma, Adam focused on a variety of local issues, including borders, water rights, and health care. He is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and attended Loyola University Chicago and Syracuse University. Email Adam to share your story ideas or issues that are important to you. email address: Or connect Twitter.
