At the self-described age of “65-plus,” Darlene Humphrey finds herself a cover girl.
The senior manager at the Chicago, Ill., Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center was both surprised and honored by University of Chicago Medicine when her photo was chosen to grace the cover of its SHARE Network’s 2023-2024 South Side Aging Resource Guide.
“Now that I am on that cover, I have to work a lot harder,” Darlene chuckled. “If someone puts you at that level, you want to make sure you don’t disappoint them.”
She has been at the Chicago Kroc Center for nine years, after working for more than 20 years at various social services agencies in conjunction with the Chicago Public Housing Authority. During that time, she interacted with many older adults in public housing. It set her up well for her current position at the Kroc Center, which she took in 2014.
Now a bit older, Darlene said, “If anyone knows how seniors think and feel, it’s another senior.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Darlene is a graduate of DePaul University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in management.
She believes God brought her to the Kroc Center.
“I let God direct my path,” she said. “And He has me here. I always pray and wait for His direction. And then I try to implement it. When God puts you somewhere, it’s for a purpose.”
She loves her job and loves getting to know the older adults who participate in programs at the center or who just come to the center to socialize.
“My oldest one is almost 100. Working with seniors here at the Kroc Center, we have bonded. It’s a blessing to work with them. We are family. Faith, family, fellowship and fun—that’s the essence of our seniors’ program,” Darlene explained.
Healthy aging is the theme Darlene said she uses as she plans programming.
“When I first came to the Kroc Center, we had only a handful of things we did. We did the same thing every week,” she said.
Now, a wide variety of activities are offered during the week ranging from a senior chess club and gospel aerobics to field trips to see Broadway shows like “Hamilton.” There are even special activities just for veterans.
“Miss Darlene has broadened our horizon,” said Lillie Thurman, 69, who participates in the older adult programs. “Things have blossomed under her leadership.”
Darlene was part of a community partners team that recently launched a monthly Memory Café at the Kroc Center where caregivers and people with dementia can socialize and receive support and resources.
“It’s a way for them to have some quality time together,” Darlene said.
She also helped organize the monthly Cancervive support group for those dealing with cancer and a “Walk with a Doc” stroke-prevention program, in conjunction with Rush University Medical Center.
For some older adults, the Kroc Center is a second home, Darlene said. It provides them with a safe place to socialize, stay actively engaged and improve their overall well-being.
“The Kroc is a highlight in their lives,” she said. “Without the Kroc Center, some would have nowhere to go for social activities.”
Darlene said The Salvation Army’s mission statement of sharing the gospel and meeting human needs in Christ’s name guides her work every day.
“I work for that all the time. How am I sharing the gospel and meeting the seniors’ needs in Christ’s name?” she said. “It keeps me on track.”
