For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Town of Andover Receives Intergenerational Collaborative Grant for Youth and Seniors

ANDOVER – Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan is pleased to announce that the Town of Andover has received a $17,940 grant from the Andover Home for Aged People to establish new programs aimed at connecting youth and seniors in Andover through various activities.

“We are extremely grateful to the Andover Home for Aged People for their willingness to support the Department of Community Services,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “We look forward to forming collaborative programs that benefit residents of all ages in Andover.”

The grant, spearheaded by Department of Community Services Divisions Director Joseph Connelly, Elder Services Director Annmarie Connor, and Youth Services Director Bill Fahey, will allow the department to provide additional services and enhance existing ones to the youth and senior citizens of Andover in an effort to forge community bonds between the two groups.

The following list of programs that Andover will implement with this grant are held both on-site at the Cormier Youth Center and off-site at various locations:

• Co-aged exercise classes

• Co-aged walking program

• Group activities

• “Brown Bag” food distribution program

• Home safety initiatives

• Outdoor adventures

“These new initiatives have been carefully designed to appeal to all ages and personalities, with an emphasis on physical fitness, overall health and wellness.” Director Connelly said. “I encourage all members of our youth and senior centers to take advantage of these programs once they launch.”

Programs starting up in November include:

WALK THE GYM: THE CORMIER YOUTH CENTER
Beginning Nov. 1 and running through Dec. 22., every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the gym will be open for seniors to exercise.

BROWN BAG
This program, which provides groceries for low income seniors, is free to those 60 and over with incomes of $21,978 (single) or $29,637 (couple), or on Mass Health, chap 115, food stamps, fuel assistance. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 22, seniors can pick up a grocery bag in front of the Cormier Youth Center between the hours of 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. The program is made possible with assistance from the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Boston Food Bank, and Center at Punchard. Contact Annmary Connor or Kristine Havemeyer at 978-623-8321 to sign up or see if you are eligible.

Other program information will be available online at andoverseniorcenter.org

###