History of the Eddie Dee Smith Senior Center

It took eight months for the Riverside County Office on Aging and a citizens’ committee to find a suitable location for a Rubidoux Senior Center. The committee members included Owrene Boarders, President of the North Rubidoux Women’s Club, Eddie Dee Smith, Chairman of the Search Committee, Ms. Alyene O’Brien, and the Rev. Bert All, Pastor of Rubidoux Unified Methodist Church. 

On April 18, 1977 the Office on Aging funded a Senior Citizen’s Center at 3716 La Rue Street and the Eddie Dee Smith Senior Center was open for operation. A hot meal program was set up and served about 75 persons a day. Eddie Dee also started a “dime-a-dip” dinner program and bake sales to help raise funds to allow seniors to take tours. The goal was to reach a lot of older people and shut-ins. The senior center would become a second home for them. 

December 1991 the Rubidoux Senior/Community Center opened at its new location, 5888 Mission Blvd., dedicated by County Supervisor, Melba Dunlap. August 5, 1995 the senior center’s name was dedicated as the Eddie Dee Smith Senior Community Center. 

The Eddie Dee Smith Senior Community Center now serves over 400 senior citizens. Many classes are offered daily, lunch is still served on a daily basis, a monthly food distribution program is offered and much more. Since July 1, 2020 the Eddie Dee Smith Senior Center has been operated by the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District.  Operational support is provided by the City of Jurupa Valley.