“Prepared Today for Tomorrow’s Seniors”
As CHEER celebrates 55 years of service in Sussex County this summer, we are also looking ahead to the future, because the future of aging in our community is changing rapidly.
Over the past five decades, CHEER has grown alongside Sussex County. What began as a small organization focused primarily on meals and home services has evolved into a network of programs designed to help older adults remain independent, active, healthy, and connected. Today, CHEER provides nutrition services, transportation, personal assistance, adult
day programming, caregiver support, wellness opportunities, and affordable housing for thousands of seniors.
One thing has remained constant throughout all 55 years: seniors deserve dignity, respect, and the opportunity to age safely within their own communities. Today, the needs facing older adults are greater than ever before. Sussex County continues to experience tremendous population growth, particularly among older adults. More people are retiring here, more families are helping aging parents, and more seniors are living longer while striving to remain independent. At the same time, affordable housing has become increasingly difficult to find, healthcare needs continue to rise, and many seniors are living alone without nearby family support.
For organizations like CHEER, that means we cannot simply continue doing things the way they were done years ago. We must continue preparing for what seniors will need tomorrow, not just what they needed yesterday. That is why this summer is such an important moment for CHEER.
Construction is now underway on the Gateway East campus located adjacent to both the CHEER Community Center and CHEER Apartments in Georgetown. Many people may not realize that CHEER Apartments, our existing 60-unit affordable senior housing complex, has been serving seniors for nearly three decades. Over the past few years, CHEER has invested in several upgrades to ensure residents continue to have a safe and comfortable place to call home.
The new Gateway East development builds upon that long-standing commitment to affordable senior housing and supportive services. Construction includes both the Gateway East Administrative & Support Services Building and the Gateway East Apartments I, the first of four affordable senior apartment buildings planned for the new campus expansion.
While construction projects naturally bring excitement, these buildings represent something much larger than new facilities. They represent CHEER’s commitment to preparing for the future of aging in Sussex County.
Gateway East reflects something CHEER has always believed: independence works best when seniors have support nearby. Affordable housing, nutrition, transportation, wellness programs, social engagement, and access to services all work together to help older adults remain healthier, safer, and more connected.
As we celebrate CHEER’s 55th anniversary, it is important to remember that the organization we know today exists because previous generations planned ahead. Leaders, volunteers, staff members, donors, and community supporters made decisions years ago that allowed CHEER to continue growing and adapting over time.
Now it is our responsibility to do the same.
Gateway East is not simply about new construction. It is about ensuring that future generations of seniors in Sussex County continue to have access to affordable housing, compassionate services, and opportunities to remain independent for years to come.
PAWS For People