During its Annual Program Grant Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, the Board of Directors of the Marshall Home Fund (MHF) along with town and local officials celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the foundation that supports the needs of Watertown residents, age 55 and older. Over the past decade, MHF has given out $450,000 in program and individual grants to benefit Watertown older adults. Outgoing President Will Twombly who ushered the fund into existence in 2005 was duly honored during the ceremony. Representative Jon Hecht offered congratulatory remarks and shared citations from the Senate and House of Representatives, and Town Councilman Tony Palomba delivered a proclamation from the town.
This spring, the Board of Directors pledged more than $50,000 to a record 16 local organizations. The Board is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2015- 2016 program grant awards. These include:
- Arsenal Center for the Arts: The Open Door Project will encourage a variety of art activities for older adults and help launch a new Senior Fun Day.
- Beaverbrook STEP: End of Life Planning: A Training Project for Elders will educate elders with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside in Watertown and their care providers and family members about the new Guardianship/Conservator services available from Beaverbrook STEP.
- Care Dimensions: Complementary Therapies for Watertown Hospice Patients aims to provide aromatherapy, art and music therapy, massage, and Reiki to improve the well-being of Watertown residents who are receiving hospice care.
- CASCAP: This grant to CASCAP, the agency that manages Marshall Place Apartments, will fund resident activities and/or furnishings for the common spaces at this elder housing facility.
- Live Well Watertown: In collaboration with the Watertown Recreation Department, Live Well Watertown will offer a series of wellness, social, and cultural activities for Watertown residents 55 and over.
- MetroWest Collaborative Development: The Ready Renter Program provides information and referrals to Watertown residents who are struggling to find affordable housing.
- New Rep Theater: The Classic Repertory Company will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Watertown Senior Center.
- Perkins School for the Blind: Thriving with Vision Loss aims to provide older adults in Watertown with access to the resources of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library. Patrons will feel more self-confident and socially engaged as a result of their participation.
- Project Literacy: This program will provide English Language instruction and support for Project Literacy’s older adult learners.
- Sacred Threads Center: Exploring the Inner Doors of Our Hearts will include a series of monthly spiritual conversations for Watertown’s older adult population offered Tuesday mornings and evenings at Watertown Public Library.
- UCP: The Creative Arts Program provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to explore a variety of classes and programs with the necessary adaptative equipment and assistive technology.
- Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center: The Supplemental Transportation Program pays for the emergency transportation of hundreds of low-income Watertown seniors each year.
- Watertown Family Network: Music with Shannon is an intergenerational program for elders and families who attend WFN programming; this grant covers the weekly cost of paying the project’s entertainer/musician. The Grandparent Program is a new endeavor to support grandparents who have a major role in caring for their grandchildren.
- Watertown Health Department: Compassionate Connections V provides continued funding for a project that aims to address the problem of hoarding through a supportive case management model.
- Watertown Prosperity: Following a successful first year pilot, Watertown middle school students will be matched with their older adult neighbors who are in need of snow shoveling services.
- Windsor House: Windsor House Adult Day Health Services Scholarship Fund provides services for at risk elders with low incomes and respite for their families.