For 50 years, Northeast Senior Services (NESS) has helped the area’s elderly stay in their homes by providing rides to medical appointments, raking their lawns and shoveling snow. That all came to an end Dec. 31, following the resignation of Executive Director Nancy Przymus because of illness.
Founded in 1973 by a group of six churches, it was first known as Northeast Senior Citizens Resource Center (NESCRC) but changed to Northeast Senior Services in recent years. During its 50-year run, NESS officed out of a number of locations including Northeast United Methodist Church, Autumn Woods and most recently, Crest View.
President Mark Grimes said closing down after such a long time was “very difficult. We’ve done good for a lot of people over the years.”
With health concerns sidelining Przymus, the number of board members reduced to five and volunteers hard to come by following the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to fold the tent.
Grimes said NESS provided rides for about 80 seniors in Northeast, Columbia Heights and St. Anthony, but said funding those rides was difficult. “Each ride costs about $30,” he said. Payment from riders was voluntary.
In addition to rides, Grimes said, NESS also acted as a referral service, helping seniors find housing, tax advice and arranging foot clinics. They even provided online bingo games. “Our services were about helping them live as independently as possible,” he said.
Last September, NESS put on a housing fair at the Ukrainian Center that also focused on elder law and spotting and preventing elder abuse.
Board member Diane Signorelli provided the following list of ride services for seniors:
East Side Neighborhood Services, Northeast Minneapolis and St. Anthony: Serves ages 60+ and/or persons with disabilities living in NE, North, SE Minneapolis and St. Anthony Village. Travels in local area. Provides rides in a handicapped accessible van or a minivan. Weekdays to medical appointments, senior dining, scheduled grocery shopping and recreational outings. Rider donation required. Reservations must be made two days in advance. 612-787-4012
Anoka County MedLink, Columbia Heights and Anoka County: Seniors 60+ may receive transportation for medical and social service appointments. Call between 9 a.m.-12 p.m. weekdays. Donations are accepted. 763-324-3255
Help At Your Door, New Brighton, Columbia Heights and St. Anthony: Serves seniors in the 7-county metro area. They can take you anywhere within the seven metro counties they serve, make multiple stops and wait for you, including grocery shopping. A friend may ride along at no extra charge. Transportation is $10; there may be additional costs — ask when you call. 651-642-1892
Transportation to VA Medical Hospital from Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, New Brighton and St. Anthony Village: This service is provided by the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota. To qualify for a ride you must be a disabled vet, with financial or medical difficulties and unable to secure transportation to your medical appointments. 612-467-2768
Transit Link, New Brighton, Columbia Heights, St. Anthony Village: Provides rides from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m. weekdays. Service is curb to curb and must be reserved five days in advance. Fares are based on distance traveled. 651-602-5465
Metro Mobility, Northeast Minneapolis, New Brighton, Columbia Heights & St. Anthony Village: You must apply for this program, and it can take up to 2 weeks to get approval. This is an income-based program, and you must be disabled or elderly. 651-602-1111
MHealth-Fairview Transportation, Northeast Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, New Brighton and St. Anthony Village: Riders must be 55+ or disabled and live within 20 miles of the University. Rides are $10 per round trip. Service provided to University of Minnesota-Fairview Clinics such as MHealth Clinics at 909 Fulton St. SE and the Phillips-Wagensteen Building, 516 Delaware St. SE, as well as other University Clinics and Hospitals. 612-672-7685