Colorado Springs Senior Center

I am the Operations Director for the Senior Center. My main responsibility is to ensure the Senior Center is providing classes and activities for the older adults in the community. I make sure things run smoothly and manage a team that provides an excellent experience for our patrons. I love music, being outdoors and going to an occasional Indycar race.

Currently you’ll find me primarily at the Downtown YMCA but I move around to the other locations from time to time.

You can reach me at: (719) 955-3401 or tlathrop@ppymca.org

Hello, I am Sharon Elstad, the Business Coordinator at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. I have been a front desk volunteer at the Senior Center for the past several years and am now working in a more
formal capacity coordinating volunteers, performing front desk duties and serving our patrons in a variety of ways. I am excited to be part of the transition to our new Senior Center building projected to
open in early 2025. Prior to my involvement at the Senior Center, I spent 25 years in the field of education. My hobbies include exercise, travel (primarily to visit my new granddaughter in Maryland), and a new found interest in crocheting.

You can reach me by email at: selstad@ppymca.org or (719) 955-3400.

I am the Director of Senior Programs and have been serving in this role at the Senior Center since April 2022. I schedule all the activities from the daily classes, workshops, lectures, special events and more! I believe everyone should age with respect and dignity. I love that my role at the Senior Center provides me with the opportunity to offer programs that allow our community to thrive, learn, and grow together.

I am originally from the Midwest and grew up in Ohio. I attended college at Eastern Michigan University where I received a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. While in school, I worked as a Nurse's Aide in a memory care skilled nursing facility and have always had a passion for serving older adults. I continued my educational path at the University of Toledo where I earned my Master's degree in Recreation Administration while serving as a Teaching Assistant for the undergraduate students. Prior to this role, I worked as a clinical Recreational Therapist at an intensive outpatient neurological rehabilitation clinic.

I have been married to my wonderful husband, Ken, for 12 years. While he was serving in the Air Force, we lived in Arizona and Illinois at Davis Monthan and Scott Air Force Bases. We love to travel and have a cargo van that we converted into a mini camper. You can find us on the weekends at one of our many National Forests exploring Colorado. We have 3 dogs and they love to explore with us! I love yoga and play a few instruments just for the fun of it.

You will find me primarily at the Westside Cottages (1616 W. Bijou) during the construction of our new Senior Center.

You can reach me at: (719) 209-1717 or stucker@ppymca.org

Sheila fulfills a dual role at the Colorado Springs Senior Center (CSSC). As a Member Services Representative, she provides front desk support for patrons in person and via telephone. Among her many responsibilities are assisting patrons with class selection and registering them for classes & events; assisting groups and clubs meeting at the Center; assisting with training of volunteers; and providing community referral information. In this role she provides customer support, building relationships with existing patrons and creating a positive environment and support for all who utilize the CSSC.

Sheila also serves as a Grant Data Entry Clerk, preparing required documents to ensure reimbursement requests are submitted in a timely manner and creating and maintaining documents reviewed during program reviews and assessments.

As a former “military brat” and an Air Force retiree herself, she’s traveled extensively and loves visiting new places, learning and acquiring new skills and meeting people. She takes cooking classes and is currently learning to juggle. She has mastered four professions before beginning a new one in the senior adult industry in 2010.

Working at the CSSC allows her to fulfill her passion to help seniors stay active and engaged and allows her to serve as a resource in connecting seniors and their family members with the right community resources. Every single day she is given the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Reach Sheila at: swoolwine@ppymca.org or (719) 955-3400

Christy started at the Senior Center in September of 2023. He brings a love of people and a special ability to have a conversation with pretty much anyone. You’ll usually find him at the check-in desk, ready to answer questions, help you carry things, or just chat for a while. In addition to working at the Senior Center, Christy works for PPYMCA in the Sports department. In years past, Christy served as an Air Force officer, worked at a web start-up, and led music at church. These days he is busy as a father of four boys. He loves music, woodworking, and learning new things.

Christy works part-time and can be found at the Westside Cottages.

Reach Christy at: (719) 209-1717 or colsen@ppymca.org

Hello, I’m Maisie, and I am currently a Member Service Representative here at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. You’ll find me either at the Westside Cottages or at the Downtown YMCA during the time of construction of the new Senior Center. I have been working for the YMCA since 2017, I have worked in multiple departments, such as aquatics and Youth Development, and at lots of different locations such as the Garden Ranch YMCA and the Briargate YMCA. I am excited to start my journey here at the Senior Center, and look forward to all the memories I will make.
I grew up primarily in Italy and here in Colorado, but have also traveled a lot due to being a military family. As a result of this I love photography and sightseeing. Recently I have picked up a few new hobbies such as crocheting and drawing, I really enjoy being able to create my own art.

Feel free to reach me at: mschulz@ppymca.org or (719) 955-3400

Our beloved Line Dance Instructors, Colleen and Ray Weis will be retiring at the end of our Fall 2 Session. We invite you to attend their farewell party to wish them luck on their next endeavors. This team has made such an impact on many of our lives and have provided quality Line Dance instruction for over 2 decades! Let's show them how much they are appreciated.

Location: Southeast Armed Forces YMCA
Day/Time: Friday, October 20th from 10-12

This will be a potluck style lunch with friends. Please bring utensils/plates to serve with your dish. Cake provided by the Senior Center.