The following announcement was provided by the Marshall Home Fund:
The Board of Directors of the Marshall Home Fund (MHF) is very pleased to announce the recipients of its latest round of program grant awards. This spring, the Board of Directors granted $75,000 to local organizations for programs that will benefit residents of Watertown who are aged 55 and older.
Last year the MHF reached the noteworthy milestone of having awarded a total of $1 million over a 17-year period for the benefit of older adults in Watertown. The mission of the Fund continues this year through the important work of the following 2023 grant recipients:
Carroll Center for the Blind: Services for Seniors with Low Vision or Blindness provides evaluation, recommendations, and training on independent living to older adults with vision loss in Watertown.
Deaf, Inc.: Connecting with DeafBlind Older Adults in Watertown will encourage DeafBlind older adults to participate in socially enjoyable and affordable health-related programs, such as nutrition and cooking classes, and group exercise activities.
Mass Assoc. for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Wraparound Vision & Rehabilitation Services will be provided for residents of Watertown 55+ years old with low vision or blindness.
Mosesian Center for Arts: The Aging Creatively Project provides opportunities for older adult residents of Watertown to participate in visual, performing, and literary arts programming.
Perkins: Thriving with Vision Loss ensures that seniors in Watertown who are visually impaired have access to literacy opportunities and can engage with Perkins staff and each other to reduce social isolation.
Project Literacy: English Language Instruction is a program providing English Language instruction, support, and socialization for older adults-immigrants 55+.
Sacred Threads: Thoughtful Thursdays will present a series of meetings to discuss topics including Kindness, Compassion, Caregiving (those needing or giving care), Grief and Loss, and Wellness.
Springwell: The Elder Independence & Safety Fund will be used to quickly provide direct
grants to Watertown seniors who need small items or assistance that can help them maintain
their independence.
Watertown Council On Aging/Senior Center: (2 grants) The Supplemental Transportation Program provides subsidized taxi rides for seniors 60+ to local medical appointments and in emergency situations in the absence of other transportation options. The Emergency Assistance Block Grant provides immediate money to vendors on behalf of older adults for emergency issues that are affecting their health, home, mobility or other crisis needs.
Watertown Families Together/Church of the Good Shepherd: Together is Better Program offers events that foster camaraderie, friendship, creativity and joy to the residents of two Assisted Living Homes in our city.
Watertown Farmers’ Market: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Match Program and Volunteer Incentives will provide older adults access to fresh, healthy, and affordable foods through a dollar-for-dollar SNAP match (up to $15/market day), as well as incentives for older adult volunteers.
Watertown Fire Department: Fire and Life Safety Educational Services for Older Adults will provide seniors with valuable life safety information and highlight Fire Department operations.
Watertown Health Department: Compassionate Connections XI Provide light cleaning, organization, and social services to elders who are at risk for eviction, safety, social isolation, and depression due to existing severe clutter conditions in their residences.
Watertown Housing Authority: Air Conditioner Access Program will provide comfort and improve health outcomes of low-income older adults by providing a new air conditioner.
Watertown Housing Authority: McSherry Community Building will provide social activities to the residents of McSherry Gardens.
Watertown Housing Authority / COA -Senior Center: Watertown Health Transportation Program will educate older adults on transportation options and will provide Ride Share safety training and financial assistance to access non-emergency medical transportation.
Watertown SSRS: SSRS Emergency Grants – The Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program will provide emergency grants and social services to residents 55-60 years of age who are facing a financial crisis.
Established in 2005, the Marshall Home Fund is a nonprofit, community-based charitable foundation dedicated to serving Watertown’s older adult population. Seniors in urgent need must be referred to MHF by local agencies, town officials, or organizations. For more information about MHF, please visit www.marshallhomefund.org or email info@marshallhomefund.org.