SRC Programs & Services

SRC serves hundreds of Seniors 55+ and their caregivers across 4 counties in North Central New Jersey and is based in Chester, New Jersey.  Post-COVID, SRC has further expanded to a vibrant community organization serving over 6,800 participants annually. 

Current offerings include 9 wellness and fitness classes weekly, a weekly walking club, music programs, a quilting class, specialty classes, Lunch-N-Learn programs at 4 separate locations, and monthly educational coffee hours.  Several programs are co-located in nearby towns.  

SRC members benefit from connections to AARP, United Way Caring for Caregivers (United Way 211), Care2Caregivers, Atlantic Health Care, and county, regional and state resources as well as advocacy groups. 

Since 2003 SRC has offered a community-wide Festival of Trees as its major annual fundraiser.  The Festival of Trees is currently offered at The Barn in Chester Township, New Jersey.   This fundraiser also benefits families who reside in transitional housing, senior housing, and Homeless Solutions.

SRC currently operates with a part-time Program Director and 7 part-time course instructors. SRC benefits from the contribution of over 4,000 volunteer hours annually.  Our current Program Director, Lisa Sibelman can be contacted at programdirector@srcnj.org

SRC Program Director

Program Director Lisa Sibelman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.  She attended Brooklyn College as a Pre-Med student and majored in Biology & Chemistry.  Lisa lived in Old Bridge, NJ for 33 years and was the Synagogue Administrator for Temple Beth Ohr for 25 years.  Lisa moved to Mount Olive in 2015 and “officially” retired in December of 2019 right before the pandemic started.  Lisa has been married for over 49 years, has 2 grown children and 4 granddaughters.

Lisa learned about the Senior Resource Center and become the Co-Chair of the SRC Walking Club in late 2021.   

Lisa has served as the SRC Director since 2021, and under her leadership community ties and membership have grown and expanded.

History of the Senior Resource Center

The Senior Resource Center operates out of The Church of the Messiah building located in Chester NJ. SRC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2019, however its history is much more extensive spanning over 25 years.

The SRC had its roots as part of a missional outreach program of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.  In 2000,  the non-profit Messiah Community Resource Corporation was established.  Our initial founders, as guided by research from Rutgers University, saw the need for wellness programs and informational resources for Seniors and their caregivers in the region of western Morris County. As community ties grew, by 2007 MCRC was renamed the Senior Resource Center of New Jersey to reflect its regional membership.

Testimonials from some SRC members

“SRC is a great ‘family’ community.”

“Great topics to keep learning.”

“The SRC is a ‘Home’ to all senior citizens in our area.  The quality & diversity of the programs…are the best.”

“SRC gets me out of the house and socializing.”

“SRC is a great program for people of different interests.  Keeps people in touch and hosts wonderful & informative programs for seniors.”

“The SRC in Chester has really become a second home for me.” 

“The SRC has helped me maintain good health both physically and emotionally.”