State Funds Program to Bring Services To Seniors in Their Neighborhoods
Last week, Governor Deval Patrick signed the fiscal year 2008 budget that included $75,000 funding for a new North Shore Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), owned and operated by Jewish Family Service of the North Shore. Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations advocated extensively for this program throughout the budget process. The NORC allows seniors to age in place by providing services to them in their community or neighborhood.
James Shainker, President of MAJF, said, "I am thrilled that both the legislature and the governor agree on how important it is to fund these programs that service seniors."
The neighborhoods that extend from the "Diamond District" of Lynn and into the Vinnin Square section of Swampscott on the North Shore house a predominantly elderly population, but do not offer many of the services and assistance that seniors increasingly require as they age. The Front Porch NORC program fills that void by addressing primary causes of preventable institutionalization without duplicating existing senior services. By connecting isolated seniors with community resources, Front Porch fosters an environment in which residents can support one another and remain comfortably in their homes.
The programs already exist in Brookline, Malden and Framingham, but this is the first time the state will fund this program in Lynn. The exact boundaries of the neighborhoods to be included have not been finalized. Representative Douglas Petersen and Senator Thomas McGee sponsored the amendments in the House and Senate Budgets which allowed for the funding.
"We are very grateful to Senator McGee and Representative Petersen for their efforts to secure funding for this brand new NORC program that will serve and meet the needs of so many seniors in the North Shore," said Jon Firger, executive director of the Jewish Family Service of the North Shore.
JFS also gives credit to the seniors of the Summit Estates who enjoyed this program its first time around and worked hard to get Senator McGee and Representative Petersen on their side. The seniors called in and collected signatures.
JFS wants seniors' input in planning and designing the specific groups, lectures and classes. Interested parties should contact Susan Berliner of the Positive Aging Foundation at 978-564-0766.
