OPC rebrands as ‘OPC Social and Activity Center’

ROCHESTER — The Older Persons’ Commission in Rochester is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding this year with a new name and rebranding to mark the occasion.

The rebranding has “been a long time coming,” said Colleen Burtka, the OPC’s marketing and development specialist.

“We have been working on it for about two years with focus groups and a committee of people dedicated to exploring this concept. The OPC is also celebrating our 40th anniversary this year as an organization, so it’s really a big year,” she said.

OPC staff say the name change from the former Older Persons’ Commission to “OPC Social and Activity Center” allows the organization to retain a part of its familiar name, while reinvigorating the look and feel to better reflect the active, engaged and sophisticated adult 50-plus population of today.

“We have heard from members of the community, as well as our own members, who have just been really reluctant about the name Older Persons’ Commission anymore — it’s just different times,” Burtka said. “It’s been 40 years, so it was really time to look at that name and see if it really reflected today’s 50-plus population — and we just really didn’t feel that it did, so we wanted something that really reflected the dynamic and sophisticated and savvy and engaged 50-plus population of today.”

OPC Executive Director Renee Cortright said staying true to the organization’s longstanding role as a champion for the 50 and older community was imperative with the rebranding.

“We are pleased to adopt the familiar OPC acronym with the addition of ‘Social and Activity Center’ as our new name, which better describes our focus on the socialization and activities that we offer for the 50-plus,” she said.

The organization is also celebrating 20 years since the opening of its 90,000-square-foot building at 650 Letica Drive, which boasts two indoor pools, a walking track, a recently renovated cardiovascular and weight training room, pickleball courts, an atrium, and more.

The organization, which has no membership fee, welcomed 178,305 people through its doors in 2022 and is hoping to increase its reach this year. An operating millage renewal for the OPC, which also includes a millage increase, got the green light from voters in 2020. The OPC millage was a renewal of its levy back up to 0.25 mill from Headlee rollbacks, plus a bump up, for a total of 0.32 mill for 10 years.

Cortright said she encourages people to tour the facility.

Every week, close to 50 classes and programs are held there, and they offer resources through their health and wellness department, adult day services, support groups, and more. A sampling of classes and group activities include yoga, spinning, basketball, pottery, musical theater, travel, art and bingo. The focus, staff members say, is on health, wellness, socializing, community and staying engaged.

The OPC also provides the Meals on Wheels program, transportation, adult day services and senior resources to enhance the quality of life and prolong housing independence for seniors in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. It offers a variety of resources and programs for caregivers and gives referrals for services for everything from in-home care to medical supplies and food assistance.

The OPC Social and Activity Center is hosting an expo 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 5 at the center.

The event is free and open to the public. While the focus of the event is to address the needs of people 50 and older, the expo also serves as a resource for caregivers and residents of all ages. Over 85 exhibitors will be on hand this year to share interactive information and resources on everything from travel, fitness and senior living information to financial advising, medical resources and more.

The OPC Social and Activity Center is located at 650 Letica in Rochester. For more information, visit www.opccenter.org or call (248) 656-1403.