Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) will hold several events throughout the year to honor our past and empower our future – some to include senior/ community centers, family caregivers, Food and Thought programs, staff recognition luncheon, and a special 50th event on Thursday, April 30, at Mission on the Bay in Swampscott – to name just a few!

Each year, GLSS touches the lives of more than 10,000 individuals and families through critical health and social service supports, not only in our five-town catchment of Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott, but throughout the North Shore and Merrimack Valley region. 

Celebrate GLSS for its legacy of providing critical services to families and individuals of all ages and fulfilling our fundamental mission of promoting community livability for all.

GLSS RECEIVES NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR AWARD

FROM THE GREATER LYNN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) was honored to receive the Non-Profit of the Year Award at the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Excellence Awards meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

“We were proud to be recognized in the non-profit category, given how many worthy organizations there are in our Greater Lynn area," said CEO Kathryn C. Burns. "This award is especially meaningful to us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this spring."

Seen in picture above, Naomi Dreeben, GLSS Board of Directors; Holly Jarrell-Marcinelli, Senior Director of Consumer Services; Mary Magner, GLSS Board of Directors; Ambiorix Montano, Director of Managed Care Programs; and Pattyanne Lyons, Director of Development, accepted the award at the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting and Business Excellence Awards Dinner held at Kowloon Restaurant on March 26.

U.S. REP. JIM MCGOVERN GIVES "SHOUT OUT"

TO GLSS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ON MARCH 19

As reported last month, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, along with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, stopped by GLSS on Thursday, February 19, to observe a healthy cooking class (led by UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program funded by SNAP-Ed and off campus from UMass Amherst). The visit was part of McGovern's "End Hunger Now" campaign. When he spoke on the House floor in Washington, D.C., on March 19. McGovern mentioned GLSS, Phoenix Food Hub, and CEO Kathy Burns.

GLSS CELEBRATES MILESTONE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 

JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

GLSS will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring with a festive party on April 30 at Mission on the Bay! You can buy tickets and sponsor the event below.

“I am truly humbled to be at the helm of this agency to celebrate this milestone anniversary,” said Kathryn Burns, GLSS’ CEO. “Over the years, I have witnessed the transformation of this organization from a senior services agency to one that now serves all."

THANK YOU GLSS SOCIAL WORKERS

During March, we celebrated the more than 800,000 Social Workers in the U.S. who work to help individuals and families meet their essential social and emotional needs, while also advocating to change systems and reduce barriers to wellness and quality of life.

At GLSS we especially celebrated our own colleagues and interns—numbering nearly 30—who have achieved a social work degree and/or license, including some who are currently in school studying to become social workers.



Congratulations to all!

RAINBOW ALLIANCE COOKING CLASS

Local chef and food safety expert Michel Chamsarian led this event on

March 26 for people age 50 and older who identify as LGBTQ+. Participants and significant others, family members, friends, and allies joined together in

Phoenix Food Hub to make an Italian-themed meal and dessert.

To learn more about upcoming activities sponsored by GLSS' Rainbow Alliance Committee, contact mgilligan@glss.net or call 781-586-8615.

VOLUNTEERS—ESPECIALLY BILINGUAL—NEEDED

TO ASSIST IN CARE PARTNER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Caregivers are vital to our families and communities. The Family Caregiver

Support Program at GLSS is looking for volunteers—especially English/Spanish

bilingual speaking—for its Care Partner Support Program. This program will train you in the skills needed to assist and encourage people who are caring for

individuals living with dementia or memory loss.

To volunteer or to learn more, contact Phoebe Bakeman

(781-586-8619) or email volunteer@glss.net.

GLSS HOSTING WINTER FARMERS MARKETS

GLSS continues to host the Winter Farmers Markets in conjunction with

The Food Project. The markets are open to all residents. The markets, which are

held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from February-June,

feature fresh produce and local food items. Upcoming market dates are:

April 25; May 9 and 23; and June 13 and 27

The Food Project accepts SNAP/HIP/EBT/Cash and Credit Cards.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO THE LIQUE HUMAN

SERVICES SCHOLARSHIP EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 17

Do you know a high school senior in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, or Swampscott? A total of $10,000 will be awarded to up to five students who have an interest in or are considering a career in human services and

have made an impact through community service

Applications are due on or before Friday, April 17, 2026.

PHOENIX FOOD HUB UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

DIET AND ARTHRITIS

With Ellen Goldman, GLSS Nutritionist

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 12:00 Noon

RSVP to egoldman@glss.net or 781-586-8688

THE BENEFITS OF HYDROPONIC GROWING FOR

PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GROWING FRESH PRODUCE

With Lynn O'Neal, LMHC, Food and Thought Program Coordinator

Tuesdays, April 14 and 28, from 11:00 A.M.–12:00 Noon.

(Participants will receive a hydroponic garden and seeds to get started)

RSVP to elopez@glss.net or 781-248-6195

"KITCHEN FOR ALL" WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AGE 4-12

A Collaboration with the Lynn Disability Network and

Led by Michel Chamsarian, Chef and Food Safety Expert

Monday, April 6, from 11:00 A.M.–12:00 Noon.

RSVP to elopez@glss.net or 781-248-6195

COOKING CLASSES

Led by Michel Chamsarian, Chef and Food Safety Expert

Tuesdays through June 23 (except April 21), 10:30 A.M.

RSVP to cvillegas@glss.net or 781-200-3924

Details of all workshops and activities can be

found on the Phoenix Food Hub Facebook page.

RISING RISK FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

IN MASSACHUSETTS: POLICY SHIFTS,

ICE ACTIVITY, AND PROVIDER RESPONSES

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026

1:00–3:00 P.M.

Earn 2 CEUs

Recent federal immigration directives have increased the risk of detention and enforcement for many immigrants and refugees living in Massachusetts, including people who are lawfully present and engaged in everyday activities such as work, school, and healthcare. New federal guidance and broad enforcement changes have expanded ICE activity in community settings. For social workers, these overlapping federal actions mean that clients may experience heightened fear, service avoidance, family disruption, and trauma even with changes in their personal circumstances..

Join us on Tuesday, April 14. as we explore this important topic

with Alexandra Weber, Chief Advancement Officer and Senior Vice President

at the International Institute of New England (IINE).

CEUs available for Social Work, LMHC, LADC, and Nursing.

WHAT'S ON GLSS TV THIS MONTH?

The April episode of GLSS TV features:

• A visit to Phoenix Food Hub to see a hands-on hydroponics growing workshop using indoor, compact gardening systems.

• Revisit the 2024 coverage of the Khmer New Year celebration, just in time for this year's festivities on Saturday, April 25.

All that and more on GLSS TV!