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Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities

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Written by Katherine Kennedy Tuesday, 07 August 2007

Groups services reach the unborn up to elderly

A group of eight to 10 women sit at the front of the Senior Nutrition Center playing Bingo, chatting and waiting for lunch as the “noon-time congregate” of seniors grows.

The center is run by Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities, which began in 1966. Lunches are prepared in the center’s kitchen and are also delivered by WBCO’s Meals on Wheels program to people who cannot cook for themselves or leave the house.

Senior citizens eat lunch at the Senior Nutrition Center.

WBCO administers a range of social services and economic opportunity programs that benefit the community.

“We deliver around 100 meals per day and more than 30 seniors come to the center for meals every day,” said WBCO Executive Director Andrew Shell.

Another program WBCO offers is Head Start, which focuses on early childhood development. Head Start centers throughout Williamson and Burnet counties have served 640 families, Shell said.

“We concentrate on getting the children healthy and keeping them healthy," he said.

WBCO is the only non-profit in the area to provide a program like Head Start, and one of few that provides Meals on Wheels. Volunteers are needed to deliver weekly, monthly or to share a route. Meal pick up is at the Bagdad Senior Center at about 10 a.m. and routes are usually an hour long.

“My staff and I believe that we are truly making a difference in people’s lives, and not many people can say that about their workplace," Shell said. “If I am having a stressful day, I go to any one of our sites and it instantly brightens my day.”

WBCO receives federal funding to maintain its programs, but donations are still needed. The funding does not cover all the expenses, Shell said.

In the future, WBCO plans to collaborate with other community agencies to eliminate duplication of services. It also plans to expand its existing programs.

“We will continue to work with the cities and counties to be sensitive to the needs of the communities and be flexible enough to meet those needs.”

Head Start and Early Head Start:

351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander, 259-9010
Serves approximately 100 children (up to 5 years old) and their families with medical and dental assistance; daily nutrition; case management; educational instruction emphasizing pre-literacy and numeracy skills; physical activities for motor development; training in communication and social skills; services for children with disabilities and parent training and education.

Senior Nutrition Center and Meals on Wheels:

Bagdad Activity Center, 351 N. Bagdad Road, Leander, 259-0288
Center serves approximately 400 noon congregate meals and 1,000 home-delivered meals per month and 18,000 meals per year. Approximately 70 volunteers home-deliver meals, and more volunteers are needed.
Seniors use the facility for fellowship, games, musical enrichment and exercise. Guest speakers visit for nutrition and other educational seminars.

Outreach-Rental and Energy Assistance:

930-0873
Serves more than 400 families per year with emergency housing or utility assistance, heating and cooling equipment and case management to achieve self sufficiency.