SAVE THE DATE – VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM
On Monday, November 10 from 1:00-2:00 pm, join Bill McGroarty of Brookline’s Veteran’s Services for this informational talk. Please register at 617-730-2770.
The Brookline Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no food or transportation services available that day.
If you have ever called or walked into the Brookline Senior Center, you most likely have interacted with one of our 19 Reception Desk or Information and Resource (I&R) Desk volunteers. This dedicated group of volunteers is truly the backbone of our daily operations, providing nearly 80 hours of coverage every week to keep the Senior Center running smoothly.
At the Reception Desk, volunteers greet visitors, provide directions, and register participants for a multitude of programs and events. The beginning of each month brings a flurry of activity, with volunteers fielding hundreds of program registration calls and walk-ins. They also assist folks picking up or dropping off medical equipment and they keep seniors company while they wait for transportation.
Upstairs at the I&R Desk, volunteers handle an equally busy workload. They schedule appointments for one-on-one technology assistance, SHINE, taxes and podiatry. They also triage calls for social workers, make important reminder calls and ensure that every question gets answered.
Our Desk volunteers consistently go above and beyond. They assist with special projects and step in wherever needed. Their efforts ensure our seniors receive excellent service and stay connected to all available programs and resources. Their dedication is invaluable. We simply could not run the Brookline Senior Center as effectively without them, and we are so grateful for all that they do!
If you have a special interest area or expertise that you would like to share, please reach out to Valerie Graf, the Volunteer Coordinator, at 617‐730‐2743 or vgraf@brooklinema.gov and learn about volunteer opportunities at the Brookline Senior Center.
We are proud to introduce our newly published booklet, Valued Volunteers of the Brookline Senior Center. This publication highlights nearly a decade of our amazing volunteers, a sampling of hundreds of our volunteers, both past and present. You can stop by the Brookline Senior Center to get your copy. If you know someone who should be featured for our ongoing Valued Volunteer articles, please reach out to Valerie Graf, Volunteer Coordinator, at vgraf@brooklinema.gov or 617-730-2743.
The SHOP (Students Helping Older People) Program, a collaboration between the Brookline Senior Center and the Brookline High School (BHS), has been a community service club at BHS for over 25 years. Students are paired with seniors to assist with grocery shopping throughout the school year. In addition to providing practical support for seniors, this program also offers high school students valuable life skills. Not only do they hone their grocery shopping skills, it creates opportunities for students and seniors to exchange stories and life experiences, fostering rich intergenerational conversations. These connections often evolve into meaningful, long-lasting relationships, benefiting both the students and seniors involved.
There is currently a waitlist for the SHOP program. If you are a senior who would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact Valerie, Volunteer Coordinator, at 617-730-2743 or vgraf@brooklinema.gov
If you are a student who would like to become a SHOP volunteer, please contact Valerie, Volunteer Coordinator, at 617-730-2743 or vgraf@brooklinema.gov
CLICK HERE to watch a video to learn more about the S.H.O.P program and how it benefits both students and seniors.
The REAP program is designed for Brookline residents aged 60 and older who wish to remain engaged and active in the community while in retirement or partial retirement. Limited additional program opportunities may also be available for individuals aged 55-60. The goal of this program is to enhance the retirement experience by connecting participants with either part-time paid or volunteer work in the community or at the Brookline Senior Center (BSC).
To enroll or for more information, call 617-730-2767 or email Vivian Williams at vwilliams@brooklinema.gov.at vwilliams@brooklinema.gov.
If you have a special interest area or expertise that you would like to share with the Senior Center, please reach out to Valerie Graf, the Volunteer Coordinator, at 617-730-2743 or vgraf@brooklinema.gov to learn more about creating and facilitating a new program at the Senior Center.
If you’re looking for something and can’t find it, or think there’s something missing here, please let us know!