THANK YOU TO JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

AT SWAMPSCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL

For the past 5 years, the National Junior Honor Society at Swampscott Middle School has created lovely Thanksgiving cards for drivers to deliver with Meals on Wheels. This year, 37 students participated. Nick Anander, GLSS' Community Programs Manager (above, far left), attends every year and gives a presentation to the students about the importance of the Meals on Wheels program.

"My sincere thanks to Sabrina Clopton, Assistant Director/Outreach Social Worker at the Swampscott Senior Center, for organizing the event, and Matt Moran, who is a teacher at the Middle School and oversees the Junior Honor Society," Nick said. "Dottie Albert, a volunteer from the Swampscott Senior Center and a big fan of art, also helped out. We were also excited that Rep. Jennifer Armini stopped by."

SALVATION ARMY ANGELS

GLSS staff participated again this year in the Salvation Army Angels program

to provide toys and other donations for families and children in need.

THANK YOU, ROCKLAND TRUST!

Thank you to Rockland Trust Bank for making fleece blankets for GLSS consumers this holiday season. Above, Pattyanne Lyons, GLSS' Director of Development, with Jeff Rathkamp, Rockland Trust's Vice President, Commercial Lending.

THANKSGIVING MEAL DELIVERIES

Thanks to GLSS' Nutrition Department for organizing the delivery of 215

hot turkey dinners on Thanksgiving Day. A total of 215 meals were delivered by

40 staff and community volunteers. Above, volunteers, including Kathryn Burns,

GLSS' CEO (center), get meals ready to go. Below, Senior Director of Consumer Services Holly Jarrell-Marcinelli with Matthew and Sophie Marcinelli.

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THE LEGACY BY DONATING BELOW

GLSS' annual appeal in support of The Lique Lique Living Legacy Fund is underway, and you can be a part of it by making a donation below. Established in 2004 by Vince and Kathy Lique, this emergency fund allows GLSS case managers to provide quick, meaningful assistance to clients needing a helping hand with unusual or unexpected expenses. Quite simply, The Lique Fund provides for things like a new pair of eyeglasses, new mattresses and bedding, an air conditioner, or mobility equipment.

Vince served as the agency's Executive Director for almost 25 years; the fund was renamed in his memory in 2006. His legacy lives on through you and others who are committed, as he was, to helping older adults and people with disabilities live independently, safely and with dignity.

GLSS RECEIVES SAGECARE CREDENTIAL

FOR WORK WITH LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

“Becoming SAGECare credentialed supports GLSS' commitment to being an inclusive provider and employer,” said Kathryn C. Burns, GLSS’s CEO. “In order to achieve the certification, at least 50 percent of our staff needed to complete a training module offered by SAGECare, and I am pleased to note that we exceeded that number by quite a bit.”

GLSS’ Rainbow Alliance Committee is proud to announce that the Agency has achieved the prestigious SAGECare credential. The certification from SAGE signifies that GLSS’ employees have completed training in LGBTQ+ cultural competency for providing care to older adults and a commitment to creating a respectful, affirming, and inclusive environment for all.

Holly Jarrell-Marcinelli, Senior Director of Consumer Services at GLSS, notes that many individuals may not have children or may be estranged from family members, and, as a result, may be more reliant on services and supports from organizations like GLSS to help them remain safe and independent as they age.

FOOD AND THOUGHT PROGRAM OFFERS

HYDROPONIC GARDENING TO AREA RESIDENTS

Lynn O'Neal's Food and Thought Program (part of GLSS' Phoenix Food Hub initiative) is gaining traction with a core group of participants. At a recent meeting, she distributed hydroponic gardens, seeds, and instructions thanks to a grant

from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

"We all need to be focused on the concept of Food as Medicine, and that is exactly what is happening with the Food and Thought program," said Valerie Parker Callahan, Senior Director of Population Health Initiatives. "What people eat and its relationship to their overall health and well-being cannot be understated."

You can view Lynn's most recent Food for Thought newsletter here.

WHAT'S ON GLSS TV THIS MONTH?

On the December episode of GLSS TV, we’ll learn how to make a flavorful dish called Laap. Giving up the keys is never easy, but we’ll look at how planning ahead can help ease the transition when the time comes. We’ll also highlight a vital GLSS program that protects older community members at risk. That and more on GLSS TV!

GLSS RECEIVES GRANT TO DEVELOP VOLUNTEER

WORKFORCE TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS

GLSS recently received a $100,000 grant from the Healey-Driscoll Administration through the Executive Office of Aging and Independence to help caregivers in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott. The funding will be used to develop a volunteer workforce that will be available to assist family caregivers, specifically around the challenges of dementia care.

The funds were made available through a federal grant of more than $400,000 given to five community-based organizations that will support the economic security of family caregivers across Massachusetts. GLSS is partnering with Senior Care, Inc., Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, and Positive Approach, LLC.

“Family caregivers work incredibly hard – often holding a full-time job in addition to supporting a loved one,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We know many caregivers struggle with balancing their own work and finances, as well as their loved ones,’ and these grants will help provide family caregivers with the support they need to pay the bills.”

AARP estimates the average caregiver pays more than $7,200 annually in out-of-pocket costs for transportation and other needs. In total, family caregivers provide an estimated 36 billion hours of care for older parents, spouses, and other family members and friends.

GLSS’ Family Caregiver Support Program provides free assistance—including education, counseling, training, and support groups—to caregivers in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott, with a special focus on serving families and individuals who are caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or memory loss. To learn more, visit www.glss.net, or call Michele Parr, Family Caregiver Support Specialist, at 781-586-8635 or email mparr@glss.net.

SAVE THE DATE

REIMAGINIING JUSTICE:

LEADING WITH CARE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026 — 1:00–2:30 P.M.

The helping professions are uniquely positioned to model approaches to justice that are trauma-informed, community-centered, and equity-driven. Through critical reflection and engagement with current events, attendees will be challenged to think expansively about the future of their work and their role in shaping it. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for leading with integrity and compassion across practice settings, organizations, and communities.

PRESENTER:

Gary Bailey, Ph.D., Professor and Program Director at

the School of Social Work, Simmons University in Boston

MASS OPTIONS ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE

MassOptions—the official Massachusetts resource hub connecting older adults, people with diabilities, and caregivers to vital support services—recently

launched a new and refreshed website. The state reports that:

"This has been a major cross-agency effort to modernize our digital front door and make it easier for older adults, people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and profession to quickly find the right supports. The updated site features clearer navigation, more intuitive resource pages, improved accessibility, and content that reflects the full breadth of community-based programs across the Commonwealth."

GLSS is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

More exciting news to come!