The head of SourcePoint gave Delaware City Council an update on what’s happening at the former Council for Older Adults, most notably the recent change in the organization’s name.

“People call and ask me why was it changed to SourcePoint? How did they come up with the name?” council member Joe DiGenova said to Bob Horrocks, executive director of SourcePoint, during Monday’s council meeting. “It’s difficult for some individuals to accept that.”

“It’s a big change, especially for the folks who are closest to us,” Horrocks said. “We did a lot of research over the last couple of years, and it turns out everybody doesn’t really know about the Council for Older Adults. They assume we’re some sort of government organization. For some, the term brought up some stereotypical issues and it pushed some people away. So we thought we would go with something more neutral.

“We want to emphasize and let people know we are the source and the starting point for those who want to thrive after 55,” Horrocks continued. “We hope that indicates to folks who we’re there to serve.”

He admitted that it will probably take a couple of years for SourcePoint “to flow off the tongue as well as Council for Older Adults.”

The 44,000 square-foot SourcePoint center at 800 Cheshire Road is currently undergoing a renovation to allow for more activity space, he said.

“We are also going to be adding two clinic rooms, a counseling area, and for the first time since we’ve been in the building, we’ll be able to use our lobby in a functional way.”

The renovations should wrap up in the coming weeks.

“As wonderful as that facility is, I always have to remind folks that the vast majority of what we do happens outside that building,” Horrocks said.

For example, the Meals on Wheels program serves close to 200,000 meals annually, which helps people to stay in their homes, and provides a chance to socialize with volunteers serving the meals.

Horrocks said issues that will continue to impact senior citizens in the future include housing and transportation.

“As our older population grows, we have to keep up the infrastructure of services that help people age well and successfully,” he said.

Although SourcePoint is primarily funded through a local senior services property tax levy, the organization has also tried fundraising events, such as a recent pig roast. It also receives sponsorships, grants and support from volunteers.

For more information about the organization, visit http://www.mysourcepoint.org/.