The following announcement was provided by Marshall Home Fund:
Watertown’s Marshall Home Fund recently awarded $77,500 to local organizations, fulfilling its goal of serving Watertown’s older adults. Some grantees provide direct services that meet the financial, medical and emotional needs of isolated older adults, needs that were more evident than ever this past year. Other grantees sponsor programs for groups of older adults; they are eager to resume offering fun activities and opportunities for social interaction.
The following lists all the 2021 grantees, organized according to World Health Organization goals for an age friendly community, one where all older residents can be healthy and productive. This is a goal everyone has come to value more than ever after a difficult year apart from each other.
Provide direct health, mental health, and social services for vulnerable individuals: Springwell’s Elder Independence and Safety Fund; Watertown Council on Aging’s Emergency Assistance Block Grant; the Watertown Farmers’ Market SNAP Match and Volunteer Programs for older adults; and Wayside Center’s Block Grants for adults 55-60.
Offer accessible, affordable, fun social activities for groups of older adults: Mosesian Center for the Arts’ Aging Creatively Program; the Together is Better intergenerational events sponsored by Watertown Families Together and the Church of the Good Shepherd; the Council on Aging’s Summer Supper program; and Ballroom in Boston’s Line Dancing Lessons.
Support affordable and accessible housing and transportation for older adults: Cascap, Inc’s installation of new front doors at Marshall Place senior residence; Metro West Collaborative Development’s Ready Renter and Affordable Housing How-Tos Workshops; the Watertown Fire Department’s Fire and Life Safety Educational Series for Older Adults; Watertown Council on Aging’s Supplemental Transportation for Seniors; and the Watertown Recreation Department’s student-provided snow shoveling program for older residents.
Ensure potentially isolated older adults are integrated into the community: Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Technology Training for Seniors with Sight Loss; Perkins School for the Blind’s Thriving with Vision Loss Program; the Carroll Center’s Essential Skills Training (EST) and Low Vision Presentations; and Project Literacy’s English Language Instruction for Ages 55+.
Established in 2005, the Marshall Home Fund is a nonprofit, community-based charitable foundation dedicated to serving Watertown’s older adult population. In addition to its program grants, MHF provides financial assistance to individuals age 55+ in urgent need, upon referral by local agencies, town officials, or organizations.
For more information about MHF, please visit www.marshallhomefund.org or email info@marshallhomefund.org.