Sadie and her husband Buster Glen Gladney were married for 62 wonderful years. Sadie was born in Alabama and Buster, in Mississippi, but somehow, they found each other in Cleveland. Sadie worked in a women's clothing store downtown and Buster was a pipe fitter in the steel mills. When they first met at a cabaret party back in the 1940s, Sadie knew this was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But when Buster passed away a few years ago, Sadie's world fell apart. Faced with an uncertain future, she became isolated and depressed. She would rarely leave her home and had given up on the thought of ever being happy again.

"When Buster died, I was very, very depressed," recalls Sadie. "I couldn't sleep."

Her depression became so severe that her niece, Nella Jean, took her to the hospital for assessment and treatment. Nella decided to call the Harvard Community Services Center's Senior Connection Program in an attempt to at least get her aunt out of the house and around other people. Although hesitant at first, Sadie agreed and started to attend the Senior Connection Program on a regular basis. This is when the healing process began.

"I was able to discuss the loss of my husband with other people who had experienced it themselves," says Sadie. "I had good days and bad days, but there was always a shoulder to cry on and an understanding ear. The seniors and staff at Harvard Community Services Center are now my extended family."

"I never learned how to drive," says Sadie, "so staff members drive over to pick me up so that I can come to the community center, play dominoes and eat lunch with all my friends here. And oh, I'm so thankful for it!" Sadie has transformed from a lonely, depressed woman to a vibrant, energetic, well-adjusted senior, often going from table to table, playing dominoes, her favorite game, and gabbing with friends.

"The people here -- my friends -- add something to my life. I really love them."

"Sadie has been very active in our Senior Connection Program," says Phyllis Hailey, senior supervisor at Harvard Community Services Center. "She helped judge 'Flower Power,' a community gardening competition, and often goes on field trips to socialize with people at other senior centers, such as the Willow Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center."

"And Sadie's also a member of our Activities Committee," adds Phyllis. "We have events throughout the year -- the annual Christmas party, a Black History Celebration, visits from High School students and other activities."

At home, Sadie cooks her own dinner and does some light housework, but the Senior Connection Program assists with her heavy housework such as cleaning windows. This helping hand, along with the daily companionship provided at the community center, gives her the stimulation, attention and support of caring friends and staff members to make life worth living again.

Harvard Community Services Center's Senior Connection Program provides seniors with transportation, activities, congregate meals, socialization, home-delivered meals for homebound participants and a chore program for eligible individuals. The program's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call 216-991-8585.