By Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW,
CEO of Old Colony Elder Services
In June, we celebrate Pride Month and commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which served as a catalyst for the global movement for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) rights.
Join Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) in remembering this important time in history. OCES supports everyone without exception!
As the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Plymouth County and surrounding areas, OCES aspires to be a culturally diverse and inclusive agency that removes barriers, creating equity for all by empowering individuals and communities to thrive, age in place, and reach their highest potential.
OCES is pleased to support the Plymouth Pride Festival on Sunday, June 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth. This is a wonderful regional event featuring music, entertainers, food trucks, a pet contest, many craft and retail vendors, resources and more.
To read about the Plymouth Pride Festival, visit www.plymouthprideinc.com.
Did you know that one of the programs OCES offers is a monthly LGBTQIA+ Senior Lunch in Bridgewater? The LGBTQIA+ Senior Lunch, which launched last year, offers more than just a wonderful and nutritious meal; it also provides an opportunity to socialize. The LGBTQIA+ Senior Lunch often features SINGO, an exciting game that is similar to bingo but with a musical spin. The lunch is held at noon every first Thursday of the month at the community dining meal site at Bridgewater Senior Center, 10 Wally Krueger Way.
All LGBTQIA+ older adults and allies are welcome. Lunch and entertainment are complimentary, but reservations are required and may be made by calling the Bridgewater Senior Center at 508-697-0929.
The LGBTQIA+ Senior Lunch is part of OCES’ comprehensive nutrition program, which includes community dining and home delivered (Meals on Wheels) meals. Community dining sites (such as the Bridgewater Senior Center) are located throughout OCES’s service area; meals are available Monday through Friday. All older adults are invited to attend any community dining program.
OCES is dedicated to creating better futures for everyone we serve and communities at large.
To learn more about OCES’s programs, services, and events, visit ocesma.org.
About the Author: Nicole Long is the Chief Executive Officer of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES). Founded in 1974, OCES is a private, non-profit organization proudly serving greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.