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Old Colony Elder Services employees hold drive to help those in need in Brockton and Plymouth

Avery Moore, Lenilda Carvalho, Mirchelle Ange-Laveus and Frank Faria from OCES’ Brockton office gathering personal care items for delivery to MainSpring House.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, are helping to support those who are experiencing homelessness this holiday season.

Led by OCES’ Protective Services (PS) and Money Management Program (MMP) team, OCES staff collected donations of socks and personal care items in an employee outreach drive held at OCES’ Brockton and Plymouth offices. The donations were delivered to MainSpring House shelter located at 54 North Main Street in Brockton and New Hope Chapel located at 89 Court Street in Plymouth.

“Each year, our Protective Services and Money Management Program team holds a drive to collect needed items for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community,” explained Teresa Kourtz, LSW, PS/MMP Director, who led the drive. “There are a number of people facing uncertain circumstances who are in need of emergency shelter. We strive to help by providing personal care necessities to those who don’t have ready access to these items.”

To learn more about MainSpring House, visit helpfbms.org. To learn more about Plymouth New Hope Chapel, visit www.newhopeplymouth.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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 247 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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“Music and More” Offered by Old Colony Elder Services. New Program Supports Local Memory Cafés

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth county and surrounding communities, has launched a “Music and More” program to support local Memory Cafés.

With a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA), OCES developed the “Music and More” program to support Memory Cafés, where individuals with dementia and their caregivers can go for socialization and relaxation in a safe, supportive environment. OCES is currently working with three Memory Cafés, which operate out of the Pembroke Council On Aging (COA), the Middleborough COA and Express Yourself! through Road to Responsibility in Marshfield.

As part of “Music and More”, OCES has partnered with Old Colony Hospice and South Shore Conservatory to provide music and habilitation therapy presentations at the three Memory Cafés. OCES also provides complimentary activity books and DVDs at each Memory Café as well as refreshments during the presentations.

“Memory Cafés provide a safe and welcoming environment for those with dementia and their caregivers to gather, connect with peers, and enjoy music and refreshments,” explained Chris McClaren, Community Programs Director at OCES.  “We are delighted that our Music and More program can enhance the visitors’ experience.”

The Pembroke, Middleborough and Marshfield Memory Cafés are held once a month and are free and open to the public.

For more information about a particular Memory Café, call the location directly: Pembroke COA 781-294-8220, Middleboro COA 508-946-2490 or Express Yourself! 781-536-4983.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Kerry Zingaro as Community Programs Assistant

Kerry Zingaro

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has appointed Kerry Zingaro as Community Programs Assistant. Mrs. Zingaro is a resident of Braintree, MA.

In her new role, Mrs. Zingaro will assist in the daily operation of OCES’ Community Programs, which encompass the Development, Nutrition, Healthy Living, Housing and Volunteer departments. She will be responsible for projects, reporting and outreach documentation and reports directly to OCES’ Assistant Executive Director, Nicole Long.

For eight years previous to OCES, Mrs. Zingaro was the Office Manager and Assistant Property Manager at Devon Wood Condo Association in Braintree. Prior to that, she worked at Zep Manufacturing in Brockton for eleven years, where she served as an Executive Assistant for six of those years. Mrs. Zingaro has completed additional coursework in social sciences, and has also completed nutrition based training courses at Coursera.org.

Additionally, Mrs. Zingaro is a volunteer in OCES’ Employee Volunteer Program and delivers Meals on Wheels to seniors and individuals with disabilities.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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 245 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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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Holiday Meals at Brockton, Easton & Wareham COAs

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, is offering special Holiday meals at partnering Council on Aging (COA) Community Dining sites in Brockton, Easton and Wareham.

OCES invites seniors and individuals with disabilities to gather together and enjoy fun activities and a delicious Holiday meal of Chicken Cordon Bleu, baked potato and sour cream, peas and mushrooms and a snowflake dinner roll followed by chocolate éclair dessert (or for those with dietary restrictions, diet white chocolate mousse with topping.)

The Holiday meal will be held at noon on the following dates:

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Wareham COA, 48 Marion Road, Wareham, MA 02571. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Wareham COA at 508-291-3130.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Easton COA, Frothingham Hall, 15 Barrows Street, North Easton, MA 02356. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Easton COA at 508-238-3160.

On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Brockton COA, Mary Cruise Kennedy Senior Center, 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton, MA 02301. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Brockton COA at 508-580-7811.

OCES’ Community Dining sites provide hot, nutritious noontime meals Monday through Friday which 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.

Community Dining 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 OCES’ website at www.ocesma.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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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Shop to Support Old Colony Elder Services this Holiday Season

OCES logoJust in time for the gift giving season, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has become part of the AmazonSmile program.

OCES is a registered charitable organization at AmazonSmile. Now, consumers can support OCES during the holiday season and beyond simply by shopping at  smile.amazon.com and selecting “Old Colony Elder Services” after signing in. A portion of the purchase price (0.5 percent of eligible AmazonSmile purchases) is automatically donated to OCES. Consumers may shop AmazonSmile, which has the same products, prices and services as Amazon, knowing that a portion of their purchase will help support OCES, and that there is no additional cost to them or to OCES.

For quick access to OCES’ AmazonSmile page, visit  www.ocesma.org/donations and simply click on the AmazonSmile icon.

“Now, consumers can easily support OCES’ Emergency Fund, Nutrition and other programs each time they shop with just a few clicks,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director.

OCES’ Donation Options

Anyone wishing to make an online donation directly to OCES may do so on their new website, www.ocesma.org. When making a donation, there is the option of designating it to a certain program (such as OCES’ Emergency Fund, Nutrition or other program) or dedicating it in honor of, or in memory of, an individual or organization.

About AmazonSmile 

The AmazonSmile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created by Amazon to administer the AmazonSmile program. For more information, visit https://smile.amazon.com.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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 245 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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Brockton Community Access Honors Old Colony Elder Services’ “Community Options” Show

Pat Foley and LeNay Harper of OCES
Pat Foley and LeNay Harper of OCES

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, was honored for their “Community Options” show by Brockton Community Access (BCA) during a recent Community Media Day celebration.

BCA and General Manager Mark Linde hosted a celebration of the 300th recording of their local interest show “One North Main Street” at the Brockton War Memorial Building on Community Media Day, which is celebrated on October 20th each year. Community Media Day is “an annual celebration of voices that brings awareness to the importance of free speech and accessible media for all individuals to have their voices heard” and more than 100 were in attendance for the celebration in Brockton.

During the event, BCA honored LeNay Harper, OCES’ Community Programs Manager and the producer of OCES’ “Community Options” show, along with host Pat Foley, OCES’ Protective Services Outreach Specialist. The “Community Options” show brings topics of interest ranging from domestic violence, the opioid crisis, and School on Wheels, to the Creating Connections project with the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton, Visiting Angels and the Brockton Council on Aging.

BCA also honored OCES’ partner, the Brockton Council on Aging and their volunteer camera operators.

“Through our ‘Community Options’ show, we strive to be the local ‘voice’ that delves into important topics impacting our community. We are delighted to receive this recognition from BCA,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

For more information about BCA, visit http://bcatv.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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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Old Colony Elder Services Offers Thanksgiving Meal at Brockton COA

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, will offer a special Thanksgiving meal at the Brockton Council on Aging (COA) Community Dining site on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at noon. The COA is located at the Mary Cruise Kennedy Senior Center, 10 Father Kenney Way, Brockton, MA 02301.

OCES’ Thanksgiving menu features roast turkey with giblet gravy, whipped potatoes, savory stuffing, cranberry sauce, seasoned peas, carrots and corn medley, wheat roll with butter, and apple pie (or for those with dietary restrictions, diet cinnamon baked apple slices) for dessert.

Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Brockton COA at 508-580-7811.

OCES’ Community Dining 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 include high sodium foods and no salt is added. Low-fat milk is provided.

“Our Community Dining 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. “It is our pleasure to invite seniors to gather together for a very special Thanksgiving meal.”

Community Dining information is published in COA newsletters and on OCES’ new website at www.ocesma.org. A sample menu may be requested by calling OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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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OCES Joins the #GivingTuesday Movement to Raise Money for Emergency Fund

OCES logoFor the second year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, will participate in the #GivingTuesday movement to raise money for their Emergency Fund program.

In the same way that Black Friday and Cyber Monday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday, which is Tuesday, November 29, 2016, kicks off the giving season. A global day dedicated to giving, #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 helps meet the needs of at-risk low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities who are in a crisis or emergency circumstance that threatens their health and/or living situation. All too frequently, these individuals encounter problems that can jeopardize their ability to maintain independence, dignity and well-being.

Each year the OCES fundraising goal is to add to the Emergency Fund’s capacity to make a critical difference in the lives of the consumers that are served. OCES’ Emergency Fund supports dozens of consumers throughout the year faced with unforeseen emergency events, answering urgent needs such as filling an empty fuel tank, repairing a broken furnace, replacing a mattress that has outlived its usefulness, or providing life-sustaining medications.

Online Donation Capability

To help address local challenges and raise money for the Emergency Fund, visit www.ocesma.org and click on #GivingTuesday. Donations may now be made on OCES’ secure online donation page managed by their online partner Network for Good. When making an online donation, simply select the option from the drop down menu to designate it to #GivingTuesday.

Donations may also be made by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

“By participating in the #GivingTuesday movement and making a donation to OCES, you can help heat a home, purchase food or medicine, or provide emergency assistance when someone faces an unexpected challenge,” said Diana DiGiorgi, OCES’ Executive Director. “#GivingTuesday proves that the holidays can be both giving and giving back, and we ask the community to join OCES’ #GivingTuesday initiative.”

A Day Dedicated to Giving Back

#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. To learn more, visit www.givingtuesday.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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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Old Colony Elder Services Launches New Website

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has announced the launch of their new website, www.ocesma.org.

The latest generation of OCES’ website was developed by Clearpoint Design of Brookline. The firm used responsive design to ensure that the site is viewable on any device, is easy to navigate and user-friendly. The new site’s design is targeted for seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers, as well as donors, volunteers, service providers, families and job seekers. Since it is a WordPress site, OCES will manage its own content to ensure that the site has the most current information available.

New and improved components of this well-organized site include a Home Page highlighting current events, as well as buttons for Community Dining Locations and the monthly Nutrition Menu. An About Us section offers news items, special reports and updates. A How We Can Help section serves as a starting point for site visitors and outlines OCES’ many services. The Opportunities page is tailored to service providers, job seekers, caregivers, volunteers and interns. The What You Can Do page is geared towards those who wish to donate or volunteer.

Online Donation Capability

By selecting the Donate option on OCES’ new website, visitors are now able to access OCES’ secure donation page managed by their online partner Network for Good. When making a donation, there is the option of designating it to a certain program (such as OCES’ Emergency Fund, Nutrition or other program) or of dedicating it in honor of, or in memory of, an individual or organization.

Once again this year, OCES is participating in the #GivingTuesday campaign. The national day dedicated to charitable giving is November 29th; donors are able to go directly to the OCES donations page to make their contributions.

“Our new site is very well thought-out to effectively communicate who we are and how we can help. Visitors to our website will be able to quickly and easily find the information they need,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director. “Our OCES Website Team and Clearpoint Design did an outstanding job and we’re very pleased with the end product.”

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 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 245 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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