About 30 miles west of Houston, the City of Katy sits at the intersection of Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend Counties in Texas. The once historic rice-farming town has become a rapidly growing and diverse community.

And while the city's population is jsut over 28,000, the broader Greater Katy area exceeds 1 milion residents, more than 242,000 of them adults age 55+.

This demographic shapes the mission and reach of the City of Katy Fussell Senior Citizen Center. The community is rich in cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity—something the center actively honors through its programming and welcoming culture.

What is the history of City of Katy Fussell Senior Citizen Center?

Programming to support older adults in Katy began in the mid‑1970s when the city established a Social Services Department dedicated to the well‑being of older residents. Initially housed in a small home and led by volunteers, early offerings emphasized connection, support, and shared activities.

As participation grew, the city hired a full-time director followed by an activity coordinator, formalizing the program and expanding opportunities for adults 55 and older.

By the late 2000s, engagement had far outgrown the center’s original home. In response, the City of Katy opened the Fussell Senior Citizen Center in 2012 on land formerly owned by one of Katy’s founding rice‑farming families. The new facility honored local heritage while making space for expanded programming, broader outreach, and a deeper commitment to serving older adults across the region.

Who comes to Fussell Senior Citizen Center?

Membership at the Fussell Senior Citizen Center is open to all adults age 55 and older, with no residency requirements or membership fees. In 2025, the center welcomed 982 unique participants—a remarkable number for a single-center model.

Members reflect a wide spectrum of life experiences, including retired professionals, working older adults, caregivers, and new and longtime residents.

What takes place at Fussell Senior Citizen Center?

What happens at the Fussell Center is best described as a lively blend of learning, movement, creativity, conversation, and connection. Their daily activities include social and recreational games, creative art and crafts, fitness and wellness groups, education and practical support, opportunities for social connection. Consistently among the most popular offerings: trips to unique destinations throughout Central and East Texas.

What makes Fussell Senior Citizen Center unique?

While the center offers diverse and high‑quality programs, members consistently say that its “special something” is the family atmosphere.

The Fussell Center is a place where people show up for each other, differences are celebrated, and newcomers are made to feel immediately welcome.

This relational culture did not happen by accident—it is the product of intentional leadership, community investment, and a commitment to treating every older adult with dignity, respect, and warmth.

What does modernizing mean to Fussell Senior Citizen Center?

For the Fussell Senior Citizen Center, modernizing is not simply updating programs—it is intentionally evolving to reflect what aging looks like today. Their approach includes:

• Adapting programming as older adults live longer, work later, and stay more active
• Expanding wellness offerings to meet varied ability levels
• Increasing technology training and digital literacy support
• Exploring flexible scheduling and community‑based opportunities
• Building partnerships that expand reach and resources
• Listening carefully to members and responding to emerging needs

Crucially, modernization happens without sacrificing the relational core that makes the center feel like home.

What’s next for Fussell Senior Citizen Center?

Looking ahead, the Fussell Senior Citizen Center is focused on continued program growth and responsive innovation. They will keep challenging the stereotypes about what it means to age while creating new avenues for lifelong learning and connection. And they will continue to strengthen their vital community partnerships and expand their current programming to adapt to the needs of their ever-growing participant base.

The center will continue proving that older adulthood is vibrant, connected, meaningful, and full of possibility.

Not a member of the National Institute for Senior Centers? Join today, membership is free. 

If your center has completed a recent study or assessment or is trying out some new programming approaches, we’d love to hear about it. And if you haven't already, we'd encourage you to join the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). Free to all senior centers (and their personnel), NISC supports senior centers with best practices and innovations in programming, as well as networking and training opportunities. Find out how you can become a NISC Affiliate today. 

Photo courtesy City of Katy Fussell Senior Citizen Center