In May 1976, the Brunswick Town Council put out a referendum question to Brunswick voters: Shall the Town of Brunswick purchase the former St. Charles Church at 6 Noble Street in Brunswick, to be used for a senior center? Overwhelmingly, the people voted YES.
Following this vote, people with vision and concern for older people joined forces with the Town officials, and started the “Brunswick Community Center for Senior Citizens”. The organization served as a meal site for older people, as well as an activity center.
A few years later, the Center’s Board of Trustees voted to change the name to the “55 Plus Center” – a name that reflected the fact that people 55 years and older were welcomed there. The 55 Plus Center became known as a place for social and recreational activities and programs.
Over the years, the Center evolved into an organization that provides a myriad of services to older adults and to people who love them. It became an agency that sought from time to time to bring people of different generations together, in order to enrich the lives of those participating, and to enable people to learn from each other.
In 2004, the Center began to take on a new identity, with the arrival of a group of committed professionals, parents, and earnest young people, all seeking to open a teen center for Brunswick youth – and our facility became the focal point for such a venture. After a year of building collaborations and raising funds, an almost-unused part of our building was converted to a vibrant, safe place for teens to meet and to grow.
At that time the members of the Board of Trustees looked at what our organization was and what it should be in the future. More and more, they heard from members of the public that our name didn’t reflect who and what we were. The Board sought and received excellent counsel from many sources before selecting the new name of People Plus, “the center to get more out of life”.
In June 2010 we completed a move to our current facility at 35 Union Street in Brunswick. The spaces are wonderful, and we welcome all members of the Brunswick community to participate as members, volunteers, and contributors. Please come to our new home and see for yourself how it supports our many and growing programs.
