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As the Minneluzahan Senior Center prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, Armstrong will be working to raise the senior center’s visibility to locals and tourists in Rapid City.

“Being that we are the longest-serving senior center here in Rapid City, we are changing our vision, so our purpose will be arts, culture and history while serving our seniors, veterans and community,” Armstrong said.

“We want to get people here and just breathe new life into our facility,” she said. “We’re going to have big things happening.”

The heart of Minneluzahan Senior Center’s mission will remain – providing a safe place that enhances senior citizens’ lives, whether they come to socialize over coffee or participate in games, crafts and activities.

“Seniors have to have a safe place. They need to get out of their homes so they can better survive. If you’re not socializing, you’re wasting away,” said Carolyn Bush, president of the board of directors for Minneluzahan Senior Center.

Though the center wants to increase its membership – members pay $45 a year – the center and its activities are open to the public, and membership is not required. Armstrong encourages the public to “come here and enjoy and relax and do.” The center’s facilities include a thrift store, a library and rooms for pool and other games.

Armstrong said she hopes to partner with Michael Garfield, executive director of Canyon Lake Activity Center, to offer as many diverse activities to the community as possible.

“We are blessed to have two senior centers, but they’re two very different senior centers and they service two different types of demographics even though it’s under the umbrella of serving seniors,” Armstrong said. “When you think of Canyon Lake Activity Center, most people think pickleball. They offer many other things – they have dancing and basketball and all kinds of things over there. When you think of the Minneluzahan center, most people think of bingo, and we offer other things but we want to have purpose.”

“We’re going to look at when they’re not offering a particular service, we’re going to try to have that service here, and vice versa,” Armstrong said. “It’s not a competition. We just want to serve all of the seniors and veterans in our community.”

Celebrating culture, looking to grow

Celebrating Native and Western culture will be a key part of the center’s focus. The center is introducing a new initiative, Bridging Traditions: Celebrating Indigenous and Western Culture Through Art, Story, and Community.

“What we do is in our name – Minneluzahan. That’s embracing Indigenous culture but we can’t forget about that Western culture as well. We want to look on the blend of that,” she said.

“Bridging Traditions is a powerful way to bring people together by honoring the rich cultural heritage of our region’s elders while fostering understanding between generations,” Armstrong said. “Through shared art, storytelling, and community connection, this initiative not only preserves Indigenous and Western traditions but also creates meaningful spaces where youth and elders learn from one another, building mutual respect, resilience, and a stronger, more united community.”

“We’re starting a storytime series because … We all have something to share. We have so many stories we can share and the more we can connect with one another face-to-face rather than through technology, through those connections we can grow relationships which can only help our community,” she said.

Armstrong said the center also hopes to increase the variety of events, activities and classes it offers and welcomes people to share skills such as beadwork, quilting and a myriad of other hobbies. For example, Wilma Woodson, vice president of the center’s board of directors, teaches ceramics at the center.

Minneluzahan Senior Center has a full commercial kitchen and is looking for more people, organizations or small businesses to rent it.

“It’s about sustaining our facility but also helping small businesses or families,” Armstrong said. “If this is a side hustle or hobby, we want to be that hub that people can come to and help maybe start a business or grow a business.”

The center, located at 315 N. Fourth St., near The Monument and The Club for Boys, is a prime location for community activities and for businesses or organizations who need a centralized place for meetings. Armstrong also invites food trucks to come to the center.

“North Rapid needs some vibrancy, and we need our city to invest in this facility, because it will ripple to the surrounding community,” she said. “North Rapid needs a lot of love.”

The center’s property has 85 parking spots, making it prime overflow parking for nearby nonpartisan events such as Hills Alive July 19 and 20.

“If there are events going on at The Monument whether it’s a Rush game or a quilt show or the Stock Show, we want to be good neighbors and good partners and work with The Monument to help expand, whether it’s parking or food trucks or overflow of what their needs are,” Armstrong said.

She’s also contacted Visit Rapid City, and she hopes to encourage tourists who are visiting The Journey Museum or attending events nearby to stop at Minneluzahan Senior Center for a class or activity.

Armstrong is looking for artists to paint murals on the senior center – on the east side facing The Club for Boys and on the west side facing Memorial Park – to make the building and neighborhood more vibrant. She’s also looking for grant funds and donors to strengthen the center’s finances.

“I’m so grateful for the board and their enthusiasm. I’m honored they trust me to help them,” she said. “We’ve got to do this together. We’ve got lofty goals, and it’s an honor to be part of this. … It’s a worthwhile venture. You don’t go wrong investing in seniors, veterans and the community.”