Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, DARTS recently unveiled its new logo and slogan: “creating connections that enrich aging.” What hasn’t changed is the nonprofit’s unwavering commitment to helping older adults lead safer and more fulfilling lives. DARTS will celebrate its milestone anniversary this summer with an open house at its headquarters at 1645 Marthaler Ln., West St. Paul, and a birthday bash fundraiser is slated for August 1 at the Wexford event center in Hastings.
The nonprofit was established in 1974 as part of a community education program designed to transport older adults to Inver Hills Community College for learning opportunities. Its name was an acronym for Dakota Area Resources and Transportation for Seniors but in 2008 the organization rebranded to just DARTS to better reflect its expanded services. Today, the organization offers private transportation, home cleaning and caregiver support services to seniors in Northern Dakota County.
“When you look at our 50-year history there are services that have ebbed and flowed depending on some of the changing landscape,” said DARTS president Ann Bailey. “Looking at the next 50 years, we will continue to ask ourselves what we need to do to help tomorrow’s seniors feel like they’re aging the way they want to. What people needed in 1974 is different than what people need now.”
Bailey herself learned of the organization through personal experience. Her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and was getting to the point where he couldn’t live by himself any longer. While exploring options, someone suggested she call DARTS. She made the call and was connected with a caregiver coach, who listened to her concerns and offered resources to help her father. She was so impressed with DARTS that she eventually joined its board of directors. She served in that role for five years before becoming the organization’s fourth president in 2015.
DARTS has implemented several new programs in recent years to keep adapting to the times. The Tech Buddies program launched this year to connect older adults with younger people who can help them with electronic devices and other new technology. It’s an offshoot of Learning Buddies, which for 27 years has placed older adults in elementary and middle school classrooms to assist with students’ learning. Also new this year is Café y Conversaciones, a monthly social and game hour at DARTS for Spanish-speaking seniors. DARTS has recently recruited more Spanish-speaking staff and considers this new effort an opportunity to learn how DARTS can best support the Latino community. The next event will be 2-4 p.m., Monday, May 20. The nonprofit has also gotten feedback this year from older adults in the LGBTQ+ community on ways the organization can better serve them.
The Breathing Space program, launched two years ago, pairs volunteers with older adults – many struggling with memory issues – so their caregivers can have a 4-hour break and seniors have a chance to socialize. It’s held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., each Wednesday, at Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul and Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan. According to Bailey, nearly 20% of the population in Minnesota is age 60 or older and caregiver support is becoming increasingly necessary.
“As the population continues to age there just aren’t as many workers, so that means more care is falling to a family member,” she said. “If you’re the primary caregiver and you spend 100% of your time with your significant other without a break then you become isolated. You can become angry, resentful, constantly worried, and wear yourself down.”
DARTS is funded through grants, fees for services and donations from businesses and organizations. For example, the South Robert Street Business Association and the owners of several apartment buildings help cover operating costs for the West St. Paul LOOP, a bus service that seniors can use every Wednesday for $2 for shopping and appointments.
“If we don’t have programs like DARTS that are able to offer a variable rate [services], those who have plenty are able to age well but those who are on tighter budgets have to make choices,” said Bailey. For others, she said it’s more about safety than money, because some seniors try to complete household chores that put them at the risk of injury.
During the pandemic, DARTS transportation services came to a screeching halt and about half of its home cleaning services were put on pause. During that time, its volunteers regularly called clients who were no longer receiving services just to check in on them, and they helped other community organizations like Neighbors Inc., which was struggling with the lack of volunteers. The DARTS grocery shopping program also made a comeback during the pandemic, allowing seniors to provide a shopping list to a volunteer who would place the order online, pick it up, deliver it and put the groceries away at the senior’s home.
“The hallmark of our first day is still very much the hallmark of who we are today,” said Bailey. “We do our work through community partnerships, and by listening to the community when we bring in a new program or expand to a new area. We involve communities to see what they need and how we can best deliver it…. Throughout all the iterations of our mission statement the word ‘connection’ has always been there.”
For more information, call 651-455-1560 or visit dartsconnects.org.
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