About Us
Serving seniors and building community for nearly 50 years
GENCenter has proudly supported older adults throughout Des Plaines and the northwest suburbs for nearly half a century. Dedicated to enhancing quality of life, we provide comprehensive programs, supportive services, and enriching social activities.
Your trusted partner in senior wellness and community engagement
With decades of experience, our team creates a welcoming, vibrant environment tailored to the diverse interests and needs of active older adults. Our goal is to help you remain active, connected, and inspired every day.
Years of meaningful impact
For decades, we've consistently been recognized as a leading senior center thanks to our commitment to compassionate service, innovative programs, and community building. Read more about our history and legacy - READ MORE →
Inclusion.
If someone were to ask us to provide one word that describes the Frisbie Senior Center, that would be it.
In 1975, representatives from the City of Des Plaines and Des Plaines Park District recognized the need to provide dedicated services to the senior population living in the community. After convening with senior residents and discussing their wants and needs, a “senior center” program was established, catering mainly to the 70+ age group and offering the traditional Arts-Bingo-Crafts activities.
Meeting in the basement of Immanuel Lutheran Church’s rectory, this newly-formed group would often congregate and “read a little, play cards, visit and socialize.” One year later, the founding members of this group decided to formally incorporate in order to better organize its activities. On August 11, 1976 the Des Plaines Community Senior Center (DPCSC) was born, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization.
Around 1980, the organization’s need for program space increased exponentially as the participant base grew. The City of Des Plaines agreed to provide rent-free space in the former West Division School (now The Willows Academy).
Three major changes soon followed:
The Director became the first full-time employee.
The part-time Program Director and Assistant Program Director positions were created.
The Advisory Board transitioned into a formal governing board made up of local businesses.
Due to the eventual building deterioration, the Des Plaines Park District allowed DPCSC to occupy a separate wing for senior activities in the new Prairie Lakes Recreation Center. The arrangement saw DPCSC maintaining the drop-in and service-oriented programs, whereas the Park District managed events, trips, and classes. This arrangement eventually retransitioned towards DPCSC handling all programming.
In 2003, American Superstores (parent company of Osco Drug) announced the closing of their store located at Northwest Highway and Mount Prospect Road. With a $1 million donation from long-time member Eva Frisbie, DPCSC started the process of securing financing to acquire the location and remains there to this day.
As a fitting tribute to Eva, the Des Plaines Community Senior Center was officially renamed the Frisbie Senior Center. Located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, our facility encompasses more than 20,000 square feet of ADA accessible space, which can be tailored to specific programming. Frisbie is a drop-in activity and wellness center tailored to the needs of people over 50 years of age.
The field of aging has seen changing trends in recent years. Life-expectancy is longer, retirement is no longer guaranteed at 50, more family members are actively caregiving for their parents or relatives, and older adults most often do not consider themselves to be “seniors”. As a result, the organization’s Board of Directors proactively engaged in a comprehensive strategic planning initiative and arrived at a decision to re-brand, specifically focusing on embracing a more forward-thinking, multigenerational approach. In January of 2026, the organization re-introduced itself as GENCenter and renewed its commitment to supporting active older adults and their members to enhance and provide a greater benefit to the community-at-large.
To learn more about our mission, please click ones of the links below. If you are interested in supporting our mission through volunteerism or donation, please use the “Contact” button in the Navigation bar.
Our Mission
GENCenter enhances the lives of active older adults, their families, and young people through connection, wellness, lifelong learning, support, and volunteerism.
Connection
We believe in the power of meaningful relationships. By fostering shared experiences, open dialogue, and mutual respect, we strengthen the bonds that connect individuals, families, and communities. Through these connections, we create a space where everyone is valued, heard, and supported.
Wellness
We believe in the importance of nurturing the well-being of individuals by promoting balance in mind, body, and spirit. Wellness is a lifelong journey – shaped by support, inclusion, and shared experience. By embracing the unique needs of each generation, we foster a vibrant, healthy community where everyone can prosper.
Lifelong Learning
We believe that learning is a never-ending activity that enriches individuals and strengthens communities. By creating opportunities for growth, curiosity, and shared knowledge across age groups, we cultivate a culture where every person – young and old – is empowered to learn, teach, and thrive together.
Support
We believe that access to reliable assistance and compassionate guidance is essential for individuals and families at every stage of life. By providing responsive services rooted in dignity, respect, and inclusivity, we empower our community to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and connection.
Volunteerism
We believe volunteering provides opportunity for meaningful involvement that fosters purpose and self-worth. Through shared service, individuals of all ages contribute their time, talents, and experiences to uplift others.
Our Vision
GENCenter strengthens communities by serving as a welcoming place for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy social, recreational, educational and intergenerational activities that reduce isolation, foster meaningful relationships, and encourage healthy lifestyles.
Meet our Executive Director
Stephen H. Samuelson, MPA
Joining the GENCenter team in 2011, Stephen Samuelson brought along a wide variety of experience at other not-for-profit organizations, including Maryville Academy (a child welfare agency), Individual Advocacy Group, Inc. (a human services organization), and Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation (a public health/medical organization).
During his time with these agencies, he gained an appreciation for the field on not-for-profit work while he secured a thorough understanding of Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Human Services, and Department of Healthcare and Family Services as well as various accrediting bodies.
Steve completed his undergraduate studies at Marquette University and, in 2006, he successfully attained his Master of Public Administration degree with a not-for-profit management concentration from Roosevelt University.
Steve and his wife, Kathleen, lived in Des Plaines with their two daughters, Hannah and Abby, for over seventeen years before moving to Mount Prospect, where they currently reside.
Board of Directors
From left to right: Christina Ferraro, Dr. Kim Corson, Pat Duffy, Jen Nutley, Steve Demeas, Bill Knee, Ann Fastert and Don Smith. Not pictured: Julie Christopoulos, Colette Gentile, Sharon Lynch, Don Miletic, and Chue Xiong.
Officers
Steven Demeas, Tenant Project Services, Inc. (President)
Colette Gentile,
Fifth Third Bank (Treasurer)
Chue Xiong, Rivers Casino (Secretary)
Patrick Duffy, TD Construction Services, LLC (Immediate Past President)
At-Large
Ioulia Christopoulos, DPT, Weil Foot & Ankle Institute
Kimberly Corson, PhD, CFLE, CEOLD, Dr. Kim Corson
Ann Fastert, GC Senior Advisory Council
Christina Ferraro, CPRE, Prospect Heights Park District
William F. Knee, The Knee Law Firm LTD
Sharon Lynch, @properties
Donald J. Miletic, Des Plaines Park District
Jennifer Nutley, Bank of America
Donald A. Smith,
Ptasinski & Smith, P.C.
Directors Emeritus
Larry G. Gille
Clifford Hagedorn*
Roger Hull*
Donna McAllister*
Rev. George M. Schelter
*deceased
Our Partners
GENCenter partners with businesses interested in reaching out to local seniors within the Northern Suburbs.
Our Corporate Partner program helps organizations to:
- Create broader awareness for their business
- Demonstrate and highlight products, publications, or services
- Build brand recognition
- Foster relationships with Frisbie Senior Center members
- Engage and network with peers
A special thanks to all of our Corporate Partners, past and present. You can click on each logo below to learn more about our friends within the business community and how they’re making the world a better place.
Diamond Partners
Gold Partners
Sunrise Senior Living of Park Ridge and Prospect Heights
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Facility Information
Facility Rentals
GENCenter makes for a great rental facility. If you’re looking for a place to host a business meeting, seminar, birthday party, bridal shower, or memorial luncheon, we can accommodate your needs.
Are you or do you know a chef or caterer who is looking for commercial kitchen space? We can help here, too, and even provide in-house catering services should the need arise.
When the facility is not in use, we make it available to others. We currently host church services for a few different groups. We’ve hosted various business owners’ groups, corporate trainings, community networking events and we’ve engaged local civic organizations – The Optimist Club, Rotary, the Park District, and Chamber – to help them host various events as well.
Our Facility Rental Brochure gives you a breakdown of rental pricing (rates are negotiable, depending on need).
Learn More About Our Facility
Whether you want to sign up for a day trip, take a tour of our facility, or rent it out for a special occasion, GENCenter is here to serve you. Click the button below to get started!
