May 30, 2024

Beth Chandler new director of community investments

Beth Chandler joins the Point32Health Foundation team as director of community investments on June 24. An experienced nonprofit and business leader, she has proven management, program and strategic expertise.

Beth has served as president and CEO of YW Boston since 2018, cultivating key stakeholder relationships and implementing new programs to advance the organization’s impact.

“I look forward to joining the team and working with community partners to advance equity in aging,” Beth said. “I appreciate the intentionality of embedding equity in all the work and the commitment to a trust-based approach that centers community.”

Read the press release

WEBINAR: Join today's info session on 2025 grantmaking

This afternoon, the team will host an info session to share where we are on our strategy. This includes supporting organizations addressing the root causes of health disparities and advocating to make systems work better for people who need them.

The webinar will include updates and time for participants' questions. The session will be recorded and shared on our website.

Join us today!

Date: Thursday, May 30

Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Foundation joins 100+ organizations to oppose Farm Bill SNAP cuts

The Foundation joined AARP, Community Servings, Disability Law Center, Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust, Project Bread and 100+ other organizations with a clear message to the Massachusetts congressional delegation: oppose the cuts proposed for the SNAP program.

The legislation, proposed by House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson, would cut SNAP over the next decade by preventing future science and evidence-based adjustments. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this would cut $30 billion from SNAP over 10 years—a $750 million cut to SNAP for Massachusetts families between FY2027 and FY2033.

Read the letter

Local input sought for age-friendly plan; state agency to be renamed

In collaboration with community partners, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs is co-hosting listening sessions to hear from local communities on how to strengthen Massachusetts’ age- and dementia-friendly work. Attend a session near you to share your thoughts on actions or policies to support aging well in the Commonwealth.

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs will become the Executive Office of Aging and Independence if proposed legislation filed by the Healey-Driscoll Administration passes. This new name was selected to better represent and reflect the values of older adults in Massachusetts.

The agency continues to expand its reach and ensure that older people throughout Massachusetts can access needed information, services and support through every stage of aging.

Mary Skelton Roberts to lead Philanthropy Massachusetts

Congratulations to Foundation Board Member Mary Skelton Roberts, the new CEO of Philanthropy Massachusetts!

As we know, Mary is an experienced philanthropy leader with a track record of developing multi-sector collaborations, public-private partnerships, and strategic communications throughout Massachusetts.

Read the full release.

GRANTEE STORIES

Conn. AgeWell Collaborative debuts book on ageism

After graduating from Connecticut AgeWell Collaborative's Community Leaders Fellowship, Lisa Bress, Teresa Gregory Hines and Cynthia Hyland, teamed up with collaborative staff to write A Kids Book About Ageism.

The book kickstarts important conversations about ageism, creating a world where we all truly belong, regardless of age or ability.

AgeSpan celebrates value and voices of older people

AgeSpan marked its 50th anniversary at an event celebrating 50 older adults who have made significant contributions to communities in Merrimack Valley and the North Shore of Mass.

The theme was 50 Years of Inspiring Aging: Celebrating the Power, Value and Voices of Older Adults. More than 430 community partners and supporters attended the event, which was sponsored by the Foundation.

Visit AgeSpan's Inspiring Aging webpage to view the 50 Over 60 List, a video showcasing different aging experiences and perspectives, and photos from the luncheon.

Seeding youth power for social change in New Hampshire

"We want the world we’re growing up in to be equitable. It was so cool to do that in this process where we could really prioritize youth and marginalized voices.”

The first report from the Shared Fund for Youth Organizing includes powerful testimonials from those involved in this New Hampshire social and racial justice effort that centers the voices of young people.

Part of a three-year $60,000 Foundation grant to the Resource Organizing Project, this work is being done in collaboration with Black Lives Matter N.H., Change for Concord, New Hampshire Youth Movemen t and Young Organizers United.

New program reshapes trajectories of new farmers of color

Keney Park Sustainability Project, 1 Freedom For All, African Alliance of Rhode Island and UConn Extension have partnered for three years to develop an intensive training experience for new and beginning farmers of color in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

The Venture Farming Institute is a cohort-based program that will feature trainers of color and give participants "tools to thrive (new networks, equitable access to resources and financial support)."

Made possible by a USDA grant, the program will feature 72 hours of online course training and eight farm field days.

Older adults make historic visit to Maine state house

I n Her Presence (IHP) supports immigrant families by cultivating connections, nurturing relationships, and providing learning opportunities essential for successful integration.

Earlier this year, the organization’s Senior Women and Senior Men groups toured the State House and the Governor's Mansion. The groups were led by John Bliss, an IHP volunteer, and Maine Senator Stacy Brenner.

It was the first time the groups had visited the Maine Senate and they shared information about the important work being done by the state’s immigrant community to advocate for statewide partnerships and opportunities.

These IHP groups and other programs support older adult immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, helping to combat isolation and ensure older Mainers can make connections through their wisdom, stories, and cultural knowledge.

Older Americans Act not keeping pace with today's older adults

The Foundation is supporting Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) and Grantmakers In Health (GIH) advocacy work to reauthorize and strengthen the Older Americans Act.

In a recent piece, Cara James, CEO of GIH, and Lindsay Goldman, CEO of GIA, ask, "Instead of just reauthorizing it, what if we modernize it to meet the needs of older Americans today?"

They outline a series of recommendations that include stronger programs for paid and unpaid caregivers and help for community-based organizations addressing social isolation, especially in rural communities.

RESOURCES

National resource center promotes social connection among older adults

engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults offers resources to increase the social engagement of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

The center identifies emerging trends and best practices and develops social engagement resources and strategies that can be customized for community organizations.

Get engAGED in the center's training, technical assistance opportunities, and outreach materials on their website.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP UPDATES

Community service at the heart of Volunteer Week

More than 1,650 Point32Health colleagues will serve together in community at 85+ projects in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island during this year's Volunteer Week—more than ever before.

Colleagues will volunteer at community organizations working to improve food security, support people experiencing homelessness, improve parks and public spaces, reduce social isolation, and address other social determinants of health.

Taking steps to support mental health awareness

Point32Health colleagues, friends and family members teamed up to build awareness and raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) during Mental Health Awareness Month.

The Point32Health team, along with a match from the Foundation, raised nearly $9,000 this year. More than 50 Point32Health team members walked in person at Boston Common on May 18, played in a 3v3 basketball tournament to support the cause, or participated in their own way.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, visit NAMI’s resource library or call the NAMI HelpLine, 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).