The History of The Helm

In 1978, a small group of visionary citizens of the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods formed “Seniors Onward for Change” (SOC). Those founders envisioned a “one-stop shop” organization that would help residents remain in their own homes with dignity and independence. A few years later the name was updated to “Services for Older Citizens”.

In 2012, Henry Ford Health System – Cottage donated the use of what is now The Boll Life Center to Services for Older Citizens for a nominal annual rental fee. SOC then embarked on an extensive reconstruction project, made possible by a major gift from the John A. and Marlene L. Boll Foundation and generous donations from hundreds of community residents, turning the residence into a state-of-the-art center for senior activities and community events.

In 2013, Services for Older Citizens moved into the newly named John A. and Marlene L. Boll House, where it still headquartered today. 

In 2019