One of Mayor Susan Harbaugh’s priorities has been to enhance services for senior citizens in Red Bud.
While the idea of establishing a dedicated senior center was discussed in various settings, the financial demands of land acquisition, construction and ongoing operations proved to be beyond the city’s current budget.
Determined not to let the idea fade, Harbaugh took a creative approach by leveraging existing community resources.
In November 2024 and again in March 2025, she convened a working group that initially included representatives from the Randolph County YMCA, Red Bud Regional Hospital, Southwestern Illinois College and city hall. The goal was to create a collaborative network of services without the need for a new facility.
For more on Senior Link, please see this week’s print edition.