Marshall Home Fund
Recipients of the Marshall Home Fund Grants: Top row (L-R): Ernest Thibado (Watertown Recreation Department), Stephanie Venizelos (Live Well Watertown), Arlene Smith (Watertown Family Network), Kenneth Woodland (Watertown Prosperity), Elizabeth Macomber (Care Dimensions), Wil van Dinter (Watertown Health Department), Caryl Fox (Watertown Council on Aging), Sister Marie LaBolitta (Sacred Threads Center), Ashley Thibault (Windsor House), Bob D’Amelio (CASCAP), Jeri Bayer (Project Literacy). Bottom row (L-R): Jillian Levine (New Rep Theatre), Hayley Sherwood (New Rep Theatre), Deborah Rosati (Watertown Health Department), Julie Savoyski (UCP), Jennifer Van Campen (MetroWest Collaborative Development), Emily Yoder (Perkins School for the Blind), Amanda Simeone (Arsenal Center for the Arts).
The Marshall Home Fund celebrated 10 years of supporting the needs of Watertown residents age 55 and older and handed out $50,000 in grants.
The annual Program Grant Awards Ceremony was held Wednesday, May 20. Over the past decade, MHF has given out $450,000 in program and individual grants to benefit Watertown older adults, according to the announcement from Marshall Home Fund.
Co-President Susan Flint expressed appreciation to this year grantees, adding that “the Marshall Home Fund is proud to be able to support the important work that all of you do.”
Outgoing Co-President Will Twombly who ushered the fund into existence in 2005 was duly recognized for his many years of service and leadership by Representative Jonathan Hecht. Rep. Hecht offered congratulatory remarks and presented Citations from the Senate and House of Representatives. Town Councilor Tony Palomba read a proclamation from the Town in honor of the Fund’s 10th Anniversary on behalf of Council President Mark Sideris.
This spring, the Board of Directors pledged more than $50,000 to a record 16 local organizations. The Board is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015-2016 program grant awards. These include:
- Arsenal Center for the Arts: The Open Door Project will encourage a variety of art activities for older adults and help launch a new Senior Fun Day
- Beaverbrook STEP: End of Life Planning: A Training Project for Elders will educate elders with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside in Watertown and their care providers and family members about the new Guardianship/Conservator services available from Beaverbrook STEP
- Care Dimensions: Complementary Therapies for Watertown Hospice Patients aims to provide aromatherapy, art and music therapy, massage, and Reiki to improve the well-being of Watertown residents who are receiving hospice care
- CASCAP: This grant to CASCAP, the agency that manages Marshall Place Apartments, will fund resident activities and/or furnishings for the common spaces at this elder housing facility
- Live Well Watertown: In collaboration with the Watertown Recreation Department, Live Well Watertown will offer a series of wellness, social, and cultural activities for Watertown residents 55 and over
- MetroWest Collaborative Development: The Ready Renter Program provides information and referrals to Watertown residents who are struggling to find affordable housing
- New Rep Theater: The Classic Repertory Company will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Watertown Senior Center
- Perkins School for the Blind: Thriving with Vision Loss aims to provide older adults in Watertown with access to the resources of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Patrons will feel more self-confident and socially engaged as a result of their participation
- Project Literacy: This program will provide English Language instruction and support for Project Literacy’s older adult learners
- Sacred Threads Center: Exploring the Inner Doors of Our Hearts will include a series of monthly spiritual conversations for Watertown’s older adult population offered Tuesday mornings and evenings at Watertown Public Library
- UCP: The Creative Arts Program provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to explore a variety of classes and programs with the necessary adaptive equipment and assistive technology
- Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center: The Supplemental Transportation Program pays for the emergency transportation of hundreds of low-income Watertown seniors each year
- Watertown Family Network: Music with Shannon is an intergenerational program for elders and families who attend WFN programming; this grant covers the weekly cost of paying the project’s entertainer/musician. The Grandparent Program is a new endeavor to support grandparents who have a major role in caring for their grandchildren
- Watertown Health Department: Compassionate Connections V provides continued funding for a project that aims to address the problem of hoarding through a supportive case management model. Watertown Prosperity: Following a successful first year pilot, Watertown middle school students will be matched with their older adult neighbors who are in need of snow shoveling services
Windsor House: Windsor House Adult Day Health Services Scholarship Fund provides services for at risk elders with low incomes and respite for their families.
For more information about MHF, please visit www.marshallhomefund.org or email info@marshallhomefund.org.