September 2025

Next’s new chapter

For the past 48 years, the Birmingham Public Schools provided area seniors a dedicated space to gather, learn and build lasting friendships. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement — seniors supported school initiatives while gaining an invaluable sense of community within the familiar halls of the former Midvale Elementary School.

As the demand for preschool has increased, beginning in 2027, the schools plan to utilize the entire Midvale facility for young learners. We are deeply grateful to the district for giving Next the space it needed to launch, grow and thrive.

Just like the 38 other senior centers across Oakland County where older adult services are a municipal function, the time has come to make that shift here as well, with the City of Birmingham stepping up to expand its support.

Next will still operate as a 501(c)(3), maintaining its fundraising model for program operations as we do now, but Next is ready at last to act on something that has been elusive for far too long — a permanent location that promises to serve older residents well into the future. Two years after the city’s purchase of the building at 400 East Lincoln, with Next contributing a half million dollars to the purchase and another two hundred and fifty thousand in grant money to the endeavor, we are feeling optimistic.

This achievement represents far more than finding adequate space; it marks the city’s fundamental commitment to recognizing and supporting a vital segment of our population. Our older residents have contributed to our community in untold ways through their work, their taxes, their volunteer efforts, and their civic engagement. They've literally helped create the foundation that supports the city we enjoy today.

The security and predictability that comes with a permanent location is immeasurable. For years, uncertainty about our facility has hampered long-term planning and program development. Now, with a stable home base, Next can confidently prepare for the expanding senior population that demographic projections clearly indicate is coming. This foresight allows for strategic growth, ensuring that services can scale to meet increasing demand while maintaining quality and accessibility.

Perhaps most importantly, this facility will become a true community hub where meaningful connections flourish. We know how critical social engagement is for seniors— isolation isn't just unpleasant, it's genuinely dangerous to both mental and physical health. This new location will be the one space in our community where seniors can feel completely at home. A place where programming, design, pace, and atmosphere are calibrated specifically for their comfort, interests, and social needs. It's a space where seniors know they belong, where their perspectives are valued, and where their continued growth and engagement are actively supported.

Birmingham has historically invested in a wide variety of amenities and facilities serving diverse populations. Dozens of parks with playgrounds and ball fields, two golf courses, a hockey rink and skate park, public schools with collegiate-level athletic facilities and sophisticated performing arts venues, and the list continues.

Let’s capitalize on this moment to prioritize investment in our older residents with the same dedication and resources we have throughout the community. Birmingham is a great place to grow up, let’s also make it a great place to grow old.

Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next