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Senior center reports state demonstration grant, anniversary turnout and facility upgrades; volunteers to expand programs
Summary
Senior Center staff told the commission they received state-administered demonstration grant funding (contingent) to pilot behavioral-health outreach for men, celebrated a 25th anniversary event attended by more than 200 people, and described facility repairs, new signage and volunteer recruitment for summer programs.
Amy (Senior Center staff) reported that the center was chosen for a small field demonstration grant administered by the Association of Councils on Aging; staff said the award is state-funded and contingent on the state—s release of funds, and that the center would receive about $9,000 to pilot outreach to men for behavioral-health services in September.
"As long as the state comes through with the funding, we—ll be getting about $9,000 to test a theory about expanding behavioral health services for men who often don't ask for help," Amy said.
Staff described a successful 25th anniversary celebration that drew more than 200 participants, VIPs and community partners and will be featured in a forthcoming video. The Friends group funded portions of the event, and staff said they are working with the event—s publisher and advertisers to sustain a printed program given demand among seniors.
On facilities and grounds, staff reported recent work on the parking lot design, new signage to address traffic flow, ongoing rain-garden maintenance performed by a new contractor, repaired bike racks and the planned installation of two benches and speed bumps. Staff said the community garden plots are fully assigned and new volunteers have been assisting with maintenance.
Patty (Senior Center staff) described volunteer placements including a retired nurse who will assist with dementia-friendly programming and a volunteer preparing an introductory Spanish class; staff said there is a wait list for Spanish instruction and that the center is coordinating with colleges and local programs (including Clark University—s Upward Bound) for summer student placements that are paid by the sending programs.
Staff also noted ongoing coordination with Central Mass Housing Alliance on the local rise in homelessness and with UMass Memorial for an upcoming medical-student clerkship that will expose students to geriatrics programming.
Why this matters: The grant would fund a pilot aimed at increasing access to behavioral health services for men and could influence outreach and service design if funded; the facilities improvements and volunteer expansion affect daily operations and program delivery for seniors.
The commission did not take formal votes during the meeting because there was no quorum; staff said they will submit the reports and related materials to the commission at a later date.
