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OCES Holds Food Drive for Three Charities

OCES staff Rose Lynch, Tremeda Martin, Charlie Mills, Kerry Phelan, Vicky Rateau and Cathy Whitney organize food donations for distribution.
OCES staff Rose Lynch, Tremeda Martin, Charlie Mills, Kerry Phelan, Vicky Rateau and Cathy Whitney organize food donations for distribution.

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, recently held a Food Drive for three charities in their service area – My Brothers Keeper in Easton, Father Bill’s & Mainspring in Brockton, and Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless in Kingston.

OCES’ Food Drive was held among their 235 employees the week before Christmas. More than 300 non-perishable food items were collected and distributed among the three charities.

Every year, OCES holds a holiday food drive for a different organization in an effort to provide support to those most in need. Last year, OCES’ donated more than 140 pounds of food to South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC) in Plymouth.

To learn more about the three charities, visit their websites at www.plymouthareacoalition.org, helpfbms.org, and www.mybrotherskeeper.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Visits Belair Towers in Brockton

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, welcomed Alice Bonner, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to Belair Towers in Brockton on December 8, 2015.

Secretary Bonner has been touring agencies caring for older adults across the state to learn firsthand about local efforts supporting older adults in the community. During her visit at Belair Towers she met with the Belair Tenants Association and approximately 40 residents, along with Thomas Thibeault, Executive Director of Brockton Housing Authority; Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director; and other staff members from these agencies.

A round table question and answer session provided Secretary Bonner an opportunity to hear about the access to services provided by OCES at Belair Towers, which includes supportive housing, regular and Caribbean congregate meals and the English as a Second Language program. Belair residents were also able to share their concerns about personal safety and building security in light of recent national and world events.

“We had a tremendous turnout and were able to garner very good feedback about access to our programs during the Belair round table session,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Visits Belair Towers in BrocktonRead More

OCES’ Emergency Fund Grows on #GivingTuesday. Campaign continues throughout December.

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services’ (OCES) Emergency Fund received a boost on #GivingTuesday, the day dedicated to giving back. The non-profit agency serving older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, received $2,320 in donations to their Emergency Fund on #GivingTuesday December 1st.

OCES’ Emergency Fund is intended to help low-income older adults and people with disabilities whose needs cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource. All too often, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being. The Emergency Fund is used to assist with fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and other needs.

Last year, OCES helped several hundred low-income older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. For instance, OCES’ Emergency Fund assisted a 79-year-old widow living in her own home with her disabled daughter. She requested assistance to purchase heating oil because she had been out of oil for two days. The Emergency Fund also helped a widow with the purchase of a life-sustaining medication. She stated, “Thank you very much for the help. I was worried about being able to get my heart medication”.

“We are grateful for the tremendous support we received on #GivingTuesday, as those donations will help provide such things as heat, food, and life-sustaining medications to older adults and people with disabilities,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director.

She continued, “We anticipate the number of older adults and people with disabilities in our communities to significantly increase this year, and in light of that, our giving campaign will continue throughout December. Help spread the word, tell a neighbor, friend or family member how they can support people in need right in their community through our #GivingTuesday campaign.”

If you did not get a chance to give on December 1st, you still have time to make a difference in others’ lives! The #GivingTuesday campaign will end December 31st. Please see www.ocesma.org for more information on how to make a donation.

A Day Dedicated to Giving Back

Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday is observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, #GivingTuesday connects individuals, communities and organizations around the world and provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents. Visit www.givingtuesday.org to learn more.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES’ Emergency Fund Grows on #GivingTuesday. Campaign continues throughout December.Read More

OCES Joins the #GivingTuesday Movement

image006Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit agency that serves older adults and people with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has joined the #GivingTuesday movement to raise money for their Emergency Fund program. The fund helps meet needs of low income older adults and people with disabilities who are at-risk, in a crisis or emergency circumstance that threatens their health and/or living situation.

In the same way that Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday (December 1, 2015) kicks off the giving season. #GivingTuesday inspires people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.

OCES’ Emergency Fund is intended to meet the needs of low-income older adults and people with disabilities. All too often, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being. The emergency fund is OCES’ primary resource used to assist with fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and other needs.

“The number of older adults and people with disabilities in our communities continues increasing. Their needs cannot be addressed through the use of any other resource, which is why our emergency fund is critical,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. “Your help will provide such things as heat, food, and life sustaining medications to older adults and people with disabilities. #GivingTuesday proves that the holidays can be both giving and giving back. We ask the community to join OCES’ #GivingTuesday initiative.”

To help address local challenges and raise money for the Emergency Fund, visit www.ocesma.org and click on #GivingTuesday. Help spread the word, tell a neighbor, friend or family member how they can support people in need right in their community.

A Day Dedicated to Giving Back

#GivingTuesday is observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and is now in its fourth year. Fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, #GivingTuesday connects individuals, communities and organizations around the world and provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents. To learn more, visit www.givingtuesday.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES Joins the #GivingTuesday MovementRead More

OCES Announces Special Thanksgiving Meals at Congregate Meal Sites

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, will offer special Thanksgiving meals at partnering Council on Aging (COA) congregate meal sites on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at noon.

OCES’ Thanksgiving menu features roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, baby carrots, and whole-wheat rolls, with pumpkin mousse for dessert. Reservations are required and can be made by calling your local COA.

In addition to serving this Thanksgiving feast on the 18th, the COAs of Brockton, East Bridgewater and Kingston will be serving Thanksgiving meals with slightly different menus on additional days. Please call these COAs for more information.

OCES’ congregate meal sites provide hot, nutritious noontime meals Monday through Friday to adults age 60+ and individuals with disabilities under the age of 60. Meals are planned by a Nutritionist and meet one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. The meals do not feature high sodium foods and no salt is added. Low-fat milk is provided.

“Our congregate meal sites provide older adults with healthy, nutritious and delicious meals on a daily basis, along with the chance to socialize and enjoy fun activities,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Congregate meal menus are published in local newspapers and in COA newsletters. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561 or visiting the website at www.ocesma.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Regina Izmaylova Appointed CFO at OCES

Regina Izmaylova
Regina Izmaylova

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has appointed Regina Izmaylova as Chief Financial Officer.

In her new role, Ms. Izmaylova will oversee the Finance Department including all contracts and budgets. She will also be responsible for overseeing funding sources and communications with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Previous to OCES, Ms. Izmaylova was the Director of Finance for two years at a non-profit health center in Dorchester, MA. For seven years prior to that, Ms. Izmaylova worked primarily in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from University of Massachusetts Boston and an MBA from New England College of Business and Finance in Boston.

Ms. Izmaylova is a resident of Stoughton, MA.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

Regina Izmaylova Appointed CFO at OCESRead More

OCES Awarded the George E. Curtis Charitable Trust Grant

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has received a $25,000 grant from the George E. Curtis Charitable Trust (Curtis Trust) for their Emergency Fund.

This Fund is specifically intended to meet the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities who are in crisis or emergency situations that threaten their health or living status. The emergency fund is OCES’ primary resource available to assist with these needs. Funding from the Curtis Trust will enable OCES to provide fuel assistance, medication dispensers, hearing aid assistance and more. Last year, OCES was able to help 40 people in need with these funds. This year, OCES expects the number of people needing fuel as well as hearing aid assistance to increase.

“The Emergency Fund enables us to provide assistance for fuel, utilities, short-term emergency shelter, medical transport, medications, hot water heaters, food and more. We are very grateful to the Curtis Trust for this award so we may continue to help people in crisis situations who would have no other means of assistance,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

The George E. Curtis Charitable Trust

The mission of the Curtis Trust is to assist low-income elderly persons to remain in their homes and to experience an improved quality of life. To learn more about the Trust, visit http://www.curtistrust.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES Awarded the George E. Curtis Charitable Trust GrantRead More

OCES’ Mayflower RSVP Honors Troops for September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, continued the tradition of writing letters to the troops for September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. OCES’ Mayflower Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) had over 60 volunteers write more than 100 letters that were included in care packages for service members overseas.

OCES’ Mayflower RSVP partnered with the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund to provide letters for care packages which were assembled on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on September 11, 2015. Volunteers from various agencies and businesses built 1000 care packages for our troops serving overseas and local veterans in need. Letter writing events were held with OCES partner agencies including local Councils on Aging in Halifax, Hanover, Pembroke, Plymouth, and Lakeville; the Bridgewater, Brockton, and Stoughton Housing Authorities; Cornerstone Assisted Living in Canton; plus OCES staff & their families. Volunteers included children and grandchildren, which made it a multi-generational event.

“This is the third year that our volunteers have embraced this meaningful activity,” said Darcy Lee, OCES’ Volunteer Program Manager/RSVP Project Director.

In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) with supporting this effort across the country. CNCS provides tools and resources for organizations and individuals to become engaged in service activities, including grants to organizations to support volunteer projects.

“September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to honor and thank our troops who serve and protect us. By writing letters to troops overseas, we express our gratitude and continued support for them, and create meaningful connections,”said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 225 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508 584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES’ Mayflower RSVP Honors Troops for September 11 National Day of Service and RemembranceRead More

OCES Announces Key Staff Promotions

Christine McLaren
Christine McLaren

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has recently promoted two senior staff members.

Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW, who has a decade of tenure with OCES, has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director, and will work alongside Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director on strategic and operational areas. In her new role, Ms. Long will oversee Housing, Nutrition, Healthy Living and Volunteer Programs, the Ethics Committee, Social Work supervision and Development Department.

Ms. Long began her career at OCES in the Family Caregiver Support Program and has been promoted several times. For the past two years, she held the position of Community Programs Director. She holds a Master of Social Work from Bridgewater State University and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Ms. Long also serves as a Commissioner on the Board of Directors for the Plymouth Housing Authority.

Christine McLaren has been promoted to Community Programs Director and will report to Ms. Long, Assistant Executive Director. Ms. McLaren will continue to manage OCES’ Nutrition and Healthy Living Programs and will chair the OCES Cultural Competency Committee. She will also assist the Assistant Executive Director in developing strategic planning initiatives. Ms. McLaren has served OCES for the past six years, and most recently held the position of Community Programs Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Middlebury College and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 communities in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 224 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508 584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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