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Plymouth

Robert C. Miller named Field Operations Manager for Plymouth Solar Energy.

Robert (Bobby) C. Miller, a North Falmouth, MA resident, has been Field Operations Manager

of Plymouth Solar Energy.  In his role, Miller acts as the liaison and point person between the customer, solar installers and solar equipment suppliers. He also assists with determining the configuration of each solar energy system and participates in service/maintenance calls for existing solar systems.

Plymouth Solar (PlymouthSolarEnergy.com ) is a regional leader in the installation and maintenance of commercial and residential solar and battery systems.

Miller is a Coast Guard veteran and held the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.  His eight-year service included maintenance of buoys and island-based communication and lighting. He also assisted with search and rescue. He is a native of Tehachapi, California.

Plymouth Solar (PlymouthSolarEnergy.com ) is a regional leader in the installation and maintenance of commercial and residential solar and battery systems. The company boasts over 200 installed and on-line monitored solar systems within 50 miles of Plymouth.

Plymouth Solar Energy is located at 18 Main Street Extension, Plymouth, MA. There are now 10 full and part-time staffers at the growing entity.

For more info visit www.PlymouthSolarEnergy.com . For a complimentary Solar Feasibility Study or questions, call (508) 746-5430 or email info@plymouthsolarenergy.com.

Robert C. Miller named Field Operations Manager for Plymouth Solar Energy.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services Honored with Three Community Service Awards

(L to R) Diane Clinton, Maria Janvier, Miriam Monteiro, Marthe Ultimo-Alcindor, Betty DosSantos, Glenda DeVincentis of OCES’ Senior Care Options team. Photo courtesy Janet Trask, CSGB

Community Services of Greater Brockton (CSGB) has honored Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, with three awards acknowledging the work that they do in the community and for their consumers.

One of OCES’ key programs and two OCES team members were honored with awards during CSGB’s Annual Award Dinner in June.

OCES’ Senior Care Options (SCO) program was honored with the “Outstanding Human Services” award. Glenda DeVincentis, LSW, MassHealth Community Programs Director for OCES, presented the award to Betty DosSantos, OCES’ SCO Program Manager, who represented SCO’s 30 team members. The SCO program seeks to ensure that older adult participants can remain living safely in the community as long as possible. Special note was made of OCES’ emphasis on cultural competency, interpreter and language skills availability and their focus on wellness.

The “Excellence in Volunteer Services” award was presented to Sandy Ivers, Nutrition Supervisor at OCES (and Brockton resident) for her 16-year commitment in the production of Community Options, OCES’ cable show. Community Options is volunteer-led and provides information about programs and services available to the community in the greater Brockton area.

The “Excellence in Leadership” award was presented to Lynn Smith, Development Manager at OCES (and Brockton resident) for her efforts to bring community organizations together to work cooperatively and establish new events and programs that benefit the whole community, such as the Little Free Library Program, the Stride Toward Freedom History Path in the Frederick Douglass Community Garden, and her founding of the Keith Park Neighborhood Association.

“OCES is delighted and humbled by this recognition of our commitment to our consumers and our community,” said Nicole Long, CEO.

For more information about OCES and all the services provided to the community, visit 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 232 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 Announces “Buried in Treasures” Facilitated Support Groups In Brockton and Plymouth

Is clutter affecting you at home, at work or in your relationships? Does the clutter create safety issues or embarrass you?

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, with partner agencies in the Greater Brockton Area Hoarding Task Force (GBAH) and with Plymouth Networking Group (PNG) are offering two 16-week “Buried in Treasures” facilitated support groups for individuals with hoarding issues.

Hoarding is when individuals continue to accumulate items, such as clothes, newspapers and food, and then have persistent difficulty discarding possessions. Individuals with hoarding behaviors often face health issues related to falls, as well as run the risk of losing their homes.

Buried in Treasures will be offered once a week at the following locations:

In Brockton, at South Bay Community Services, located at 103 Commercial Street, on Tuesdays, February 7 to May 23, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. For more information or to register for the Brockton support group, contact Meagan Noah 508-436-4432 or Kelly Mules 508-580-4691.

In Plymouth, at the Center for Active Living (formerly the Plymouth Council On Aging), located at 44 Nook Road, on Thursdays, March 2 to June 15, 2017 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up for the Plymouth support group, contact Deana Andrade at OCES, 508-584-1561 ext. 232.

Buried in Treasures is offered to people of all ages throughout greater Plymouth county and surrounding communities. There is no cost to attend either of these confidential support groups. All attendees will receive a complimentary workbook. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

“Buried in Treasures will help individuals work through what might be clutter and what might be hoarding in a judgment-free setting. It is an action-oriented, peer-led treatment group,” explained Teresa Kourtz, OCES’ Protective Services Director. “During each session, we will focus on a chapter in the workbook and will deal with acquisition, discarding, and disorganization.”

Buried in Treasures is sponsored by GBAH, Mass Housing, PNG and OCES. It is coordinated and facilitated by OCES in partnership with South Bay Community Services.

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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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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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Krista Walker as Nutrition Program Supervisor

Krista Walker
Krista Walker

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 Krista Walker as Nutrition Program Supervisor.

In her role at OCES, Ms. Walker will supervise OCES’ nutrition sites, managers and drivers throughout the greater Plymouth area to ensure daily meal delivery fulfillment. Ms. Walker is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Bridgewater State University, and a Master’s degree in Nutrition Education from Framingham State University.

Previous to OCES, Ms. Walker worked as a receptionist and also provided nutrition education consultations at Cape Cod Rehab Physical Therapy and Fitness in Osterville. For one year prior to that, she was a membership coordinator at Cape Cod YMCA.

A native of Abington, Ms. Walker resides in Falmouth.

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.

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Krista Walker as Nutrition Program SupervisorRead More

OCES Holds Award-Winning Program at The Pinehills in Plymouth

OCES logoMany older adults experience concerns about falling and as a result restrict their activities. In response, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, recently presented “A Matter of Balance”, an award-winning program at The Pinehills in Plymouth.

Donna-Marie Forand, Healthy Living Coordinator at OCES organized A Matter of Balance, an eight-session program designed to help participants minimize the impact of falls and increase activity levels, at the Pinehills. OCES’ Matter of Balance coaches, Chrisline Denis and Primma-Latise Murry led the well-received program.

A Matter of Balance program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Older adults participating in the program learned how to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.

“This program is ideal for anyone who has fallen in the past, restricted their activities, or is concerned about falls, and interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength,” explained Ms. Forand.

To learn more about A Matter of Balance programs, including how you can schedule a presentation for your organization, visit www.ocesma.org or contact 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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Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Eileen Murphy to Lead Options Counseling Program Outreach

Old Colony Elder ServicesOCES Murphy Eileen (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has appointed Eileen Murphy to lead the marketing of their Options Counseling Program.

Ms. Murphy was promoted from Case Manager to Intake & Referral (I&R) Manager several months ago. Among Ms. Murphy’s many responsibilities, she will spearhead marketing of OCES’ Options Counseling Program, which provides assistance with planning for long-term care needs. The Options Counseling Program is a free service offered by OCES; Ms. Murphy and her staff work directly with hospitals, nursing facilities, and Councils on Aging in an effort to provide guidance to those looking to live independently in the community.

With 17 years of Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) experience, Ms. Murphy oversees OCES’ I&R department staff including Options Counselors, Benefit Advisors, the Department Supervisor and I&R Specialists. She reports to Susan Willis, OCES’ ASAP Programs Director.

Ms. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Southeastern Massachusetts University (which is now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth). She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Social Worker and is a lifelong resident of Fairhaven, MA.

About the Options Counseling Program

The Options Counseling (OC) Program serves seniors age 60 and over, persons of any age with a disability, family members and caregivers. OCES’ Options Counselors can visit consumers at home, or in a hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation facility to present important information needed to make informed decisions, develop a long-term care plan, and connect to resources, services and supports that help them remain in the community. OC is a core function of the Aging and Disability Resource Consortium of Southeastern and Southern Massachusetts, of which OCES is a member.

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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Local Artist and Veteran to Design Old Colony Elder Services’ Lobster for the Plymouth Lobster Crawl

Nicole Long, Assistant Executive Director at OCES and local artist Samantha Shields were on hand to watch the lobsters as they were "released" from their trailer on the Plymouth Waterfront on July 15th
Nicole Long, Assistant Executive Director at OCES and local artist Samantha Shields were on hand to watch the lobsters as they were “released” from their trailer on the Plymouth Waterfront on July 15th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, is a proud sponsor of one of the 29 lobsters that will be showcased in Plymouth’s Lobster Crawl, the major public arts event that will be on display throughout the waterfront, downtown and Plymouth community.

OCES’ lobster will greet visitors at Nelson Park on the Plymouth waterfront and will be custom designed and hand painted by local artist and Plymouth resident, Samantha Shields.

With a passion for art, Ms. Shields is a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studies architecture and painting. She is also a Veteran of the United States Air Force, having served for four years as an Arabic Linguist.

The Lobster Crawl was an enticing opportunity for Ms. Shields to get her work out in public for the first time. She has already completed the design on OCES’ five-foot tall fiberglass structure and will be painting it using acrylic paints. According to Ms. Shields, she hopes to one day have paintings in galleries and no matter where her architecture and design career takes her, will always make her artwork a priority.

“Samantha’s illustrations on our delightful and whimsical OCES lobster beautifully reflect our vision and mission,” said Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director. “We are excited to be working with such a talented artist.”

Stay Tuned 

OCES is currently holding a lobster-naming contest with their staff and will soon reveal the winning entry. More information about the celebration and unveiling of OCES’ lobster will be announced on their website at www.ocesma.org.

About Plymouth Lobster Crawl

The Plymouth Lobster Crawl is a major public arts event that will be on display throughout the waterfront, downtown and Plymouth Community. The Lobster Crawl will feature 29 unique structures measuring five feet tall. The fiberglass structures are sponsored by local businesses and organizations; each is custom designed and hand painted by local artists. When visiting each Lobster you are encouraged to post your photos on your social media channels using #PlymouthLobsterCrawl. This FREE art exhibit is presented by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.  Visit www.plymouthchamber.com/lobster for more information.

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.

Local Artist and Veteran to Design Old Colony Elder Services’ Lobster for the Plymouth Lobster CrawlRead More