Every year, Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) funds programming that benefits older adults in the 11 communities we serve. These funds, called Title III grants, support a wide array of innovative programs. This year we are excited to announce that over $211,000 was awarded to 13 organizations.
“Our grant program is a wonderful opportunity to enrich the lives of older adults while also supporting worthy local organizations,” says Meg von Lossnitzer, MVES Director of Community Programs.
Applications that serve older residents with the greatest social and economic need are prioritized. This includes people who’ve likely faced barriers such as disability, social isolation, race or ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
We’ll be highlighting our 13 grant recipients in the next few editions of The Beacon. We begin this month with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North, Bread of Life, Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center and Housing Families, Inc.
*Please note, each of these organizations will be publicizing their programs, so if you’re interested in participating, please contact the organization directly.
Boys & Girls Club of Metro North: Teen Elder Computer Help (TECH)
MVES established our own Technology Access Program (TAP) a few years ago, and it has been extremely popular. So, we were excited to receive a proposal from the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North that would provide older adults in our communities with additional, much-needed assistance with technology!
Teens employed by the B&G Club will provide personalized help with computers, tablets and smartphones, as well as with topics like email and social media. These “Tech Help Sessions” will take place at the Stoneham and Wakefield public libraries in February and March. The Club will also participate in the Stoneham Senior Center’s “Lunch and Learn” series, visiting the center to offer workshops on topics like Zoom and Facebook.
Both the one-on-one assistance and the presentations serve older adults in Stoneham and Wakefield and nearby communities, and the Club can provide transportation for those who need it.
More info: https://bgcstoneham.org, Stoneham: 781-438-6770 Wakefield: 781-246-1343 (Note: This Club was previously named Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield.)
Bread of Life: Senior Volunteer Program
Bread of Life is a food security nonprofit that has been an essential part of the community since it was established in 1980. Today, the organization provides over 1.5 million pounds of food each year to people in need and covers the 11 communities that MVES serves.
The Title III grant with MVES will enable Bread of Life to extend its senior volunteer partnership with Melrose Council on Aging (COA). The Melrose COA has several volunteer opportunities available to senior center members. Volunteering at Bread of Life was introduced as an option about a year ago. The volunteer role provides a hands-on opportunity to give back and a chance to meet new people and interact with the community. Volunteers also receive weekly food if they wish. Two needs that were identified by Melrose COA members are addressed by the Senior Volunteer Program: reducing social isolation and mitigating food insecurity. At the same time, the efforts of the volunteers makes a meaningful difference in the lives of their neighbors.
The grant will allow Bread of Life to expand the initiative from monthly to weekly. It will provide transportation for those who need it as well as on-site supervision for the volunteers.
More info: www.breadoflifemalden.org, 781-397-0404
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center: Outreach of Asian Elders Program
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (GBCGAC) has served Chinese-speaking residents of Massachusetts since 1972. They are a past recipient of MVES Title III grant funding and this year’s award enables them to continue their Outreach of Asian Elders Program. This initiative focuses on four key areas:
- Helping residents access important social services
- Technology support and training
- English language and citizenship classes
- Providing social engagement and wellness programs such as Tai Chi, singing, cultural events and holiday celebrations
Most of these programs are offered at the Malden COA. GBCGAC participants live in Malden, Everett, Medford, Melrose and other nearby communities. Many live alone and are at risk of being isolated or underserved by existing programs, but GBCGAC open doors through its bilingual and bicultural services.
More info: www.gbcgac.org, 617-357-0226
Housing Families, Inc.: Homelessness Prevention & Legal Services Program
Housing Families serves low-income residents and offers a wide range of programs centered around housing stability. Services include legal assistance, operating temporary and permanent housing, counseling and therapy, and youth programs. The nonprofit notes that many older residents, due to fixed or limited income, face housing insecurity. Housing Families works to address this insecurity.
Housing Families will utilize their Title III grant for their Homelessness Prevention & Legal Services Program. This program enables the organization to offer pro bono legal representation, advocacy, advice, information and referrals. Eviction prevention is a key focus, such as helping residents to obtain or retain subsidies. In addition to serving people who contact their agency, Housing Families conducts extensive outreach including community workshops and weekly letters to residents facing eviction in the local district courts. In total, this program has prevented over 2,600 evictions over the years, including over 500 evictions annually in recent years.
More info: https://housingfamilies.org, 781-322-9119