Becky Barnhart has announced her resignation as executive director of the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County. After nearly four years of leadership, Barnhart will step down from her role on October 25 to take a new position with Owensboro Community & Technical College’s Workforce Solutions department.
Barnhart described her decision as difficult, citing the strong connections she formed with the center’s staff and the seniors she served.
“This opportunity just kind of came my way, and I decided to pursue it and see what happens,” Barnhart said. “It’s a good opportunity, so I made the very, very hard decision to leave and go elsewhere.”
Barnhart initially took the leadership role at the Senior Community Center in part due to her personal connection to the facility, which played a significant role in her late mother’s life.
“Mom had someplace to go and thrive and hang out and engage. She was very social and she worked until she was 83. She had the Senior Center to go back to and volunteer,” she said.
Barnhart took the reins in November 2020, in the midst of a 16-month closure for the center due to COVID-19. She’s proud of the success that came after reopening.
“We had some registration days, and in three days we had 175 people show up to register. We’ve just seen steady growth since then. I feel proud about that,” she said.
During her tenure, Barnhart focused on advocating for seniors and expanding awareness about the center’s services.
“I think there’s been a misnomer about what the Senior Center is, and who it serves. The only requirement is you have to be 60. I just tried to raise the profile of all the good stuff that we offer. We try to be a home away from home for retired people. I’m very proud of that,” she said.
Barnhart said that as the Meals on Wheels provider for Daviess County, the center delivers about 350 meals daily Monday through Friday. She said an average of approximately 120 seniors come in to use the facility every day.
Barnhart is also proud of the expansion of exercise programs and the new “state-of-the-art” fitness room.
With the upcoming construction of a new Senior Community Center facility, Barnhart believes the timing is right for new leadership.
“I’m a woman of faith, and I feel like God had me in this role for a season,” she said. “I’m excited to see what happens moving forward. I feel like we worked hard to get to this point, so it’s probably time for somebody else to take it to the finish line.”
As for her new role at OCTC, Barnhart will be stepping into a position within the Workforce Solutions department, where she hopes to contribute to the development of online, computer-based training programs and solutions for various organizations.
“It’s a big learning curve, but I’m thrilled to be part of that group because they have a great reputation,” she said. “I’m just excited about that opportunity and how I can make a difference, hopefully.”
Though Barnhart is bidding farewell to her role at the Senior Center, she plans to return as a participant in the future.
“I love my seniors, and that’s the hardest part — saying goodbye. But it’s not goodbye because I’m over 60, so I get to come back and hang out with them.”
