POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The longstanding fight to save one of Poughkeepsie’s oldest historic buildings has led to a repurposed safe haven for seniors. The historic Vassar-Warner Home will reopen as an adult day care for seniors on June 2. 

According to Ericka Von Salews, executive director for the Vassar-Warner Home, the ultimate goals are to help generate funding for the building, which dates to 1835, and provide a safe haven for seniors. 

“We knew we did not want a developer to come in and make it into low-income housing or high-income housing," Von Salews said. "We knew we needed to do something for the seniors in our community.” 

While the builidng has been in desperate need of financial restoration over the years, staff partnered with Vassar-Warner Home Board of Trustees to come up with a solution.

“It’s a form of respite, but daily respite," Von Salews said. "You have your elderly mother living at home that has dementia and can’t stay at home... doctors' appointments, you have to go to work, you need a break, you need a spa day and we’re here to help."

Von Salews said seniors interested in social and/or recreational activities like yoga and gardening during the week can visit the Vassar-Warner Home. Attendance will cost roughly $110 per day and may vary, based on monthly or half-day enrollment requests.

Richard Schuster, president of The Vassar-Warner Home Board of Trustees, told Spectrum News 1 in a statement that his mother, Dorothy, lived in Vassar-Warner Home for 19 years. 

"We were terribly upset to see it close last fall and had to move her to another facility. While her new residence is OK, she talks about going back "home" every time I see her. But we have a positive turn of events with the opening of Vassar's "Home for the Day" adult social program opening next month, and with the community's support, we will proudly continue to serve our seniors as we have for the last 154 years."

For more information on how to apply for the Vassar-Warner Home adult day care program, visit its website or email info@vassarwarner.org.