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Plymouth county

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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OCES Announces CARES Program, an Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Group

Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director
Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, recently announced that they will be hosting the “CARES” Program, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group facilitated by Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services.

The CARES program is for people with memory impairment and their care partners. The program begins Friday, September 11, 2015 and will be held on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton.

CARES provides two separate support groups held at the same time, which provide information, guidance, and respite to care partners, and conversation and socialization for those with memory impairment. The caregiver support group is led by Alan Johnson, LICSW, Director of Community and Family Outreach at Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services. The support group for loved ones with memory impairment will be facilitated by Blue Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center.

“What makes this a special opportunity is that a separate group for loved ones with dementia will be held at the same time, providing respite while caregivers attend the support group,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

OCES co-sponsors the program with Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services and Blue Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center. CARES is funded by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required. To register or for more information, call (508) 775-5656.

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 217 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 Appoints Gregg Smith as Technology Director

Gregg Smith
Gregg Smith

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional agency serving older adults, people with disabilities, families and caregivers throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has appointed Gregg Smith as Technology Director.

In his new role, Mr. Smith will be responsible for implementing new technology and ideas to facilitate the agency’s future growth. He will also oversee the negotiation and acquisition of hardware and software.

Mr. Smith served as an IT Consultant to OCES for two and a half years while employed as the Lead IT Consultant at Unitel, an IT consulting company in Easton, MA. Mr. Smith studied Information Systems at Framingham State University and has Microsoft Certifications in Microsoft Server, Exchange, and SQL.

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 located 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 individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 217 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 Receives Pet Food Distribution Grant From Banfield Charitable Trust

OCES logoOld Colony Elder Services‘ (OCES), a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has recently received a Pet Food Distribution Grant from Banfield Charitable Trust.

Low-income seniors are among America’s millions struggling with hunger and food insecurity.   Many seniors and individuals with disabilities receive nutritious daily meals through OCES’ Meals On Wheels program.  In an effort to keep seniors and their beloved pets well nourished, OCES now also provides nutrition support for their pets.

For nearly a decade, Banfield Charitable Trust has been working to keep pets and their people together. The Banfield Grant enables OCES to purchase pet food and distribute to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, so that they can continue to care for their pets in their home.  Essentially, OCES’ Meals On Wheels recipients are assured nutritious daily meals AND now their pets can receive nutritional support.

“What we have found is that elders will often feed their pets before they feed themselves.  We’re working to identify and meet the needs of low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who have pets,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To learn more about the program, contact OCES’ Nutrition Department at (508) 584-1561.

About Banfield Charitable Trust

Banfield Charitable Trust provides grants to nonprofit organizations and nonprofit hospices to support their efforts to keep pets and people together.  Pet food distribution program grants provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and Meals On Wheels Associations of America (MOWAA) members to fund expenses associated with starting or maintaining a pet food distribution program.  For more information, visit www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton.  OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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