BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Plymouth County and surrounding areas in Massachusetts, is Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration in 2024.
In anticipation of their 50th anniversary, OCES re-emphasized their vision, mission and core values which reflect their growth, expertise and ongoing dedication to the people, staff and communities they serve.
Nicole Long, CEO, shared the agency’s vision, “OCES aspires to be a culturally diverse and inclusive agency that removes barriers, creating equity for all by empowering individuals and communities to thrive, age in place, and reach their highest potential.”
Aligned with their vision is OCES’ Mission statement: Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community.
OCES’ has also established Core Values reflecting their commitment to CARE:
– Commitment to staff, consumers, and the community
– Accountability, collaboration, and adaptability
– Respect, decency, and concern for others
– Equity, justice, and inclusion for all
In consideration of the agency’s vision, mission and core values, the nonprofit has refreshed their logo and launched a new generation of their website, ocesma.org, to appeal to and better serve all of their audiences. Intuitive navigation and sophisticated design ensure a user-friendly experience. The new site features videos, news/events, educational articles, awards/recognition, and a “Get Involved” page for volunteers, job seekers and service providers. OCES’ comprehensive services and programs are well-defined on the site and include Adult Family Care, Behavioral Health, Caregiver Support, Community Housing Options, Elder Abuse/Protective Services, Health Insurance and Budget Guidance, Life Planning at Any Age, Nutrition, and Services at Home. For individuals or families seeking services we offer an online form called “Getting Started” to help start the process. The site was developed by Bright Cloud Studio based in Westfield, MA.
OCES is dedicated to creating better futures for those they serve and communities at large. OCES has grown to 243 full-time and 26 part-time employees, with 23 members on their Board of Directors. Their leadership team includes Nicole Long, Chief Executive Officer; Anna Dee, Chief Operating Officer; Alisa DeLage, Chief Programs Officer; Rob Buckel-Gillis, Human Resources Director and Yolanda America, Finance Director.
Milestones
Founded in 1974, OCES continues to grow and evolve. There have been many milestones over the years including: the creation of the Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Task Force; the establishment of the first Supportive Housing Program in Brockton; and the formalization of an Internship Program with Bridgewater State University – all of which continue today. In 2013, the first annual Elder Abuse Awareness event was held in Brockton. In the years that followed, Healthy Living Workshops, Buried in Treasures Workshops, Caregiver Support and other programs have been established. OCES opened a second office at 204 South Meadow Road in Plymouth featuring a dedicated Volunteer Center for volunteer recruitment for OCES as well as for other nonprofits, schools, and agencies in Southeastern MA.
“In 2023, OCES served more than 25,287 older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Plymouth County, providing them with essential services that increase independence and improve quality of life,” said Alisa DeLage, Chief Programs Officer.
Earlier this year, OCES expanded their Behavioral Health services with a new Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT). EMHOT provides behavioral health and wellness supports to older adults and people with disabilities who may be isolated or encounter barriers that limit access to behavioral health care. To further increase the reach of the program, OCES has launched a 50th Anniversary fundraising campaign with a goal to raise $50K in support of expansion of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs.
According to Nicole Long, CEO, “OCES is at the forefront – providing essential services, creating awareness of critical issues, and serving as an important resource for older adults, people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and the larger community. We are dedicated to, and passionate about helping others and improving lives.”
Join in celebrating the 50th anniversary by helping to make a difference with a donation to the campaign in support of OCES’ Behavioral Health and Wellness programs.
To make a donation online, visit www.ocesma.org and click on the Donate button. Donations may also be made by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
OCES is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable corporation under section 501c3 of the IRS tax code.
About OCES
Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration and recognized as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Media, OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
Newsroom
Selecting the Right Rod End – Emerson Bearing Boston shares considerations for the Industrial Machinery, Automotive and Aerospace Industries
BOSTON, MA… Rod ends are an essential component of many machines, particularly those used in automotive, aviation, and other major industries. Rod ends link the ends of precision articulating joints such as steering links, control rods, tie rods, robotic arms and more, so there are a few important considerations regarding the right rod end selection for the application.
Emerson Bearing, a Boston, MA-based bearing company catering to niche markets nationwide and the sister company of Action Bearing which serves the New England market, explains rod ends and offers tips to key industries regarding their options.
Rod ends consist of an eye-shaped head with an integral shank that serves as housing for a spherical plain bearing, or bushing. They are utilized in linkage applications where a bearing must support a significant misalignment. Rod ends come in a variety of styles.
What they are
A rod end is a joint that allows for some rotational freedom about all three axes while maintaining a fixed point of contact between two parts. Rod ends are used to join the ends of steering links, control rods, and other mechanically controlled tie rods. Since the center of rotation of a rod end is on the axis of both connected shafts, it offers reliable point-to-point contact.
“Many advanced industrial systems require high-precision articulation joints as essential components,” said Steve Katz, president of Emerson Bearing. “These joints are used in a variety of applications, including robotic arms, textile equipment, and automobile steering linkages, among others. They are perfect for circumstances where rotary motion necessitates changes in the rotation axis because they have the capacity to accommodate any kind of misalignment.”
Since joint systems are utilized worldwide, the rod ends used in them come in metric and inch styles.
Selecting the right rod end
The threading on a rod end is what determines its classification as either male or female. Rod ends with external threading are male configurations while rod ends with internal threading have a female configuration. Female rod end bearings are often used in unique applications due to their ability to fine-tune the placement of components. Female rod end bearings, for example, are frequently used in helicopters to precisely adjust the direction of the blade.
Katz continued, “We are dedicated to helping customers find the right rod end solution for their application, while also providing information necessary to help enhance performance and extend service life.”
Inventory Matters
With over four million bearings in stock at multiple price points, Emerson Bearing has the largest inventory of bearings on the East Coast under one roof in their 30,000 square foot warehouse.
Emerson Bearing provides a variety of rod ends and spherical bushings to meet the needs of various industries and applications. The company serves 16 major markets and their team of experts can assist with bearings and related products for specific industrial and manufacturing applications. To speak with a Marketing Specialist or request a quote, contact 800-225-4587 or visit EmersonBearing.com.
About Emerson Bearing
For more than six decades, Emerson Bearing offer customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings – ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing Boston has become a leading provider of bearings in the U.S., and its sister company Action Bearing, which serves the New England market, maintains headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, visit EmersonBearing.com and ActionBearing.com in the New England market or call 800-225-4587.
New Between Rounds Franchisee Brings Specialty Brews and Coffeehouse Vibe to Manchester, CT
MANCHESTER, SOUTH WINDSOR, TOLLAND AND VERNON, CT… Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bakery café and bagel shop with four locations in Connecticut, has a new store owner brewing up big plans for the Plaza at Buckland Hills Manchester location.
The Manchester café is now owned and operated by Ajay Mathew, a native of Hartford, CT who currently resides in South Windsor with his wife and two daughters. Mathew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from University of Connecticut in Storrs and an MBA from Post University in Waterbury. He had a 20-year career in the automobile insurance industry, most recently as a Unit Manager at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, CT. However, coffee has always been a passion of Mathew’s and it was time to follow his dream of opening a coffee shop.
Mathew was interested in buying an established business and spent about two years researching various franchise opportunities looking for just the right fit. He was impressed with Between Rounds’ high-quality bagels and their overall franchise concept when he met with Between Rounds franchisors Jerry and Joseph Puiia.
True to the franchise’s standard fare, the Manchester café will continue to feature Between Rounds signature baked-on-site bagels and baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Mathew will expand the menu with specialty brews and create a coffeehouse ambiance in Manchester.
In addition to the fresh ground and brewed gourmet coffee that patrons know and love, Mathew is expanding upon Between Rounds’ coffee offerings and adding new menu items such as Cold Brews as well as new brew methods. A new state-of-the-art espresso machine has already been installed to provide high quality results in half the time. Cold Foam is now offered, which is similar to whipped cream and goes very well with Cold Brews. Other new offerings include Pour Overs as well as six varieties of flavored coffee. On-site bean roasting may even be a possibility at some point in the future.
According to Mathew, “To me, comfort is amazing coffee and delicious bagels. I’m very passionate about coffee and exploring new brew methods and it’s exciting to have an opportunity to do so in the Manchester café.”
“Ajay is a very good fit for Between Rounds. We’re enthusiastic about his vision for the Manchester location which will serve as a launchpad for all of Between Rounds’ new coffee brews. The café itself has also been transformed to have more of a coffeehouse atmosphere complete with comfortable leather couches and custom artwork,” said franchisor Jerry Puiia.
The family-owned Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café has been in business for more than three decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which sets them apart from other cafés. In addition to the Manchester location, Between Rounds has corporate headquarters in South Windsor, as well as a location in Vernon Circle Shopping Center, and the independently owned Tolland store adjacent to a Citgo Express Gas Station.
“Our franchise opportunities are very appealing to motivated individuals like Ajay who are looking to make the transition from corporate management to business ownership,” explained Puiia. “Between Rounds offers brand recognition, proven operations and plenty of training and support which is a recipe that ensures success.”
Between Rounds’ Manchester location is 1540A Pleasant Valley Road in the Plaza at Buckland Hills. For more information, call the Café (860) 644-9025 or visit betweenroundsbagels.com.
The Café is open Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Franchise Opportunities
For those who are looking to be their own boss and take charge of their career, Between Rounds’ offers several different franchise opportunities, from a traditional store opportunity to Kiosk Gas Station and Convenience Market program to an Area Developer Program.
Franchisor Jerry Puiia explained, “A Between Rounds franchise offers the appeal of a locally-owned, community gathering place; renowned bagels and coffee and other signature fare; as well as excellent unit financial performance and wholesale distribution opportunities.”
About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café
Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-onsite bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience.
Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit https://betweenroundsbagels.com
Holiday Assistance Program Provides 300 Grocery Gift Cards to Individuals in Need
BROCKTON, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) fulfilled the food insecurity needs of hundreds in the community this holiday season through their Holiday Assistance Program.
OCES provided 300 grocery gift cards, valued at $100 each, to individuals in need throughout Brockton. This was supported by a generous grant from United Healthcare and funding from OCES’ Nutrition Department.
OCES partnered with Vicente’s Supermarket to supply grocery gift cards to participating agencies that would then give them to individuals in need. The agencies participating in OCES’ Holiday Assistance Program include Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (BNHC); Signature Healthcare; The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office; and New Heights Charter School.
“OCES strives to identify and fulfill the needs of the community. The greatest need this holiday season was food,” explained Samantha Sousa, MassHealth Programs Director at OCES. “We’d like to thank participating agencies and Vicente’s Supermarket, for helping to provide essential food assistance to local individuals in need.”
For more information about OCES and their Nutrition Program, visit ocesma.org/programs-services/nutrition. To learn more about Vicente’s Supermarket, visit www.vicentessupermarket.com
50 Years of Care and Collaboration
Join in the celebration of OCES’ 50th anniversary, by helping to make a difference with a donation to the campaign in support of OCES’ Behavioral Health and Wellness programs.
To make a donation online, visit www.ocesma.org and click on the Donate button. Donations may also be made by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.
OCES is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable corporation under section 501c3 of the IRS tax code.
About OCES
Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration and recognized as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Media, OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities. Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.
Hot Shots Now Open to Boys Ages 2-7. New Creativity Club winter program for young boys and girls begins January 21st.
MARSHFIELD, MA… The idea of tots, pre-K, and kindergarten kids learning Irish Step dance, sculpting, drumming, painting and acro-dancing seems far-fetched. But at the Hot Shots Creativity Club this winter, that’s exactly what the 2-7 year-olds will be doing.
The new program at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield features instructors from five major South Shore arts organizations: the South Shore Art Center, the South Shore Conservatory, the Pembroke School of Performing Arts, the Dunleavy Boyle Academy of Irish Dance, and the Jesse Stiglich Music School. They are assisted by a team of middle and high school coaches.
Program Now Open to Boys
With the launch of the winter Hot Shots Creativity Club, director John Wilpers said it was finally time to invite boys to join the fun and learning. After almost 30 years and 5,000 girl graduates, Hot Shots is now open to boys ages 2-7.
For years, parents of young boys have been asking for a Hot Shots program for boys. They heard about the program’s dedication to building tots’ and pre-K girls’ self-esteem, athletic skills, love of reading, parental bonds, and public speaking skills, and they wanted it for their sons.
All the classes feature 100 percent parent participation, a weekly story time, five books to take home every Sunday, and public speaking (kids introducing themselves) — all aimed at learning, having fun, and building each child’s parental bonds, love of reading, and self-esteem.
The Creativity Club will run for 10 Sundays, from January 21 through March 24, 2024 (including both weekends of the February vacation week) at the Boys & Girls Club at 37 Proprietors Drive in Marshfield.
Each Sunday has a theme:
Jan. 21: Polar bear sculpting
Jan. 28: Acro-Dance
Feb. 4: Ballet
Feb. 11: Hip-Hop
Feb. 18: Making music with shakers, scarves and snuggle dust
Feb. 25: Painting kitty portraits with rhinestone collars
Mar. 3: Drumming
Mar. 10: Irish Step Dancing
Mar. 17: A kiddy orchestra
Mar. 24: Graduation
There are three sessions each Sunday: 9, 10 and 11 AM. Each session is open to all ages.
All children ages 2-7 from any town on the South Shore may enroll.
Registration is at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield website (bgcmarshfield.org). More information can be obtained by emailing Wilpers at john@bgcmarshfield.org or texting/calling him at 617-688-0137.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.
Honoria DaSilva Kilgore, Personal College Counseling, Inc.
Go to the head of the class. Everything you need to know about college admissions but were too overwhelmed to ask.
What is the most expensive decision you’ll ever make? The most critical decision for your life trajectory?
College!
Our guest for this segment is Attorney Honoria DaSilva-Kilgore. She founded Personal College Counseling on the belief that a college education is one of the most important tools that can be utilized for success and that all college-bound students deserve to get good advice about where they should consider going and how to get there, to have the best shot at achieving their dreams.
Personal College Counseling looks at schools all over the U.S. Attorney Honoria DaSilva-Kilgore has personally visited over 40 universities throughout the U.S. She manages all important deadlines for testing, applications and forms. Personal College Counseling targets which universities offer the best possible merit-based scholarships and financial aid for each student.
To contact Honoria, call 508-622-5850. For further information, visit:
Website – https://www.personalcollegecounseling.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/personal_college_counseling/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/personal-college-counseling-inc/
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