The new director of the Derby Senior Center wants the public to know the Main Street building isn’t just a place to pass time.
There are a ton of activities, trips and events — and the minimum age is just 55!
Sarah Muoio was named executive director of the senior center in December. She works in a stately building at 293 Main St. in the heart of Derby snuggled between the Cohen & Thomas law firm and Twisted Vine, a popular restaurant.
The 26-year-old Ansonia native and Sacred Heart University graduate said she’s happy to have landed her dream job.
Before being hired in Derby, Muoio worked in a life skills program within the Ansonia school district. Muoio would help students from special education transition from school into the work world.
“They would get work experience and references so hopefully they could get a full-time position,” Muoio said. The job brought her to the Ansonia Senior Center on Main Street several times a week.
She loved working with the students, but she’s always had a soft spot in her heart for the elderly.
“Since high school I’ve always loved working with seniors. I just have a real passion working with seniors,” she said. “The Ansonia job opened the doors for me to get here.”
Muoio’s maiden name is Dalton — and her father was the principal at Ansonia’s Mead School.
Having a dad/principal meant she always got out of trouble, right?
Wrong.
“It gets you into more trouble,” she joked.
Muoio’s dad had invisible eyes and ears all over the Valley.
An example — when Muoio first landed a driver’s license as a teen, her dad forbid her from having passengers. One day Muoio drove some friends to Duchess, breaking dad’s rule. Somehow, her father found out — instantaneously.
“A little bird told me. That would be his famous quote,” she said.
Muoio’s father was a major influence on her. His example inspired her to pursue a career doing something she loved — not something that would necessarily bring in loads of cash.
“He’s like a little God to me,” she said.
Membership at the Derby Senior Center is strong — about 1,900 members strong.
But the membership is somewhat divided among people who come to the senior center and people who just go on trips sponsored by the senior center.
Muoio said she wants to figure out how to unify the members.
“It’s not about getting new members, it’s about getting people who are already members more involved,” she said.
In addition, she’s bringing a youthful exuberance to the job. She recently created a Facebook page for the senior center — and said people who think senior citizens don’t use the Internet are wrong.
In fact, the Facebook page was started after a member pointed out she was on Facebook.
“That’s absolutely not true. I have a lot of members who e‑mail me,” Muoio said. “They probably know more than I do.”
Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri said Muoio’s references were impeccable and that he was impressed by her enthusiasm for the job.
“She really has her heart in the job and she is doing a wonderful job,” the mayor said.
Learn more about Muoio and the Derby Senior Center by listening to the podcast posted below.
To reach the Derby Senior Center, call 203 – 736-1484.