MCOA 2025 Spring Symposium Countdown Begins!
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🌸 Spring Into Learning at the 2025 MCOA Spring Symposium!Â
Join us on May 7th at the Hogan Campus Center for a day packed with inspiration, innovation, and connection! Whether you’re looking for fresh programming ideas, grant funding opportunities, or hands-on marketing skills, we’ve got you covered.
✨ Keynote Speaker: Cheryl Jones will guide us through “The Power of Stillness,” helping COA leaders reduce stress and enhance resilience.
📸 Workshops Include: Phone photography & video for COA events, transportation solutions, dementia risk reduction, LGBTQ+ older adult engagement, and more!
🤝 Panel Discussion: Learn how COAs are strengthening end-of-life conversations with “Let’s Talk About It!”
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain new insights, network with peers, and take your work to the next level! Register today! 🎟️
Cheryl Jones, Owner & CEO, Thrive55+ Wellness
The Power of Stillness: Cultivating Clarity, Resilience, and Well-Being for Senior Center Leaders
Discover the power of stillness to reduce stress, enhance clarity, and prevent burnout. Learn simple mindfulness practices to recharge, lead with ease, and foster well-being.
As a senior center leader, you give so much to others—but how often do you pause for yourself? This session is an opportunity to reset, recharge, and explore the transformative power of stillness.
You will:
🌿 Learn simple mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
🌿 Discover how intentional pauses enhance focus, decision-making, and resilience.
🌿 Explore practices that restore energy and bring more ease into your leadership.
🌿 Connect with fellow leaders to share strategies for well-being and balance.
Prioritizing your own well-being creates a ripple effect—benefiting you, your team, and the community you serve. Give yourself the gift of presence and lead with greater clarity and ease.
Biography
Cheryl Jones, M.Ed., is a wellness expert dedicated to helping individuals and businesses create sustainable workplace environments that align with their values and strategic priorities. With over 40 years of experience, Cheryl specializes in seamlessly integrating mindfulness into the workday to develop leadership skills, improve workflows, strengthen engagement, and cultivate resilience.
She holds a master’s degree in allied health and exercise science from the University of Connecticut and has studied health and spirituality at the University of Saint Joseph. Cheryl is also trained in Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s renowned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.
As the former Director of Mindfulness at Aetna, Cheryl played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the company’s Healthy Lifestyle Coaching program, impacting millions of members. She has worked with distinguished clients, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Caroline Kennedy.
Her contributions to the field have earned her recognition as one of the 12 Most Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement by Mindful magazine, along with the prestigious Norman Vincent Peale Award for making exceptional humanitarian contributions to society,
A lifelong educator and the author of two books on mindful living and exercise, Cheryl also hosts the Thrive55+ podcast, where she shares valuable insights on fostering well-being at every stage of life.
 Spring Symposium Schedule
2025 Spring Symposium, College of Holy Cross
Hogan Campus CenterÂ
May 7, 2025
| Schedule of Activities | |
| 9:00 – 9:30 am |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 9:30 – 10:15 am |
Welcome & Introductions |
|  | Elizabeth Connell, Executive Director, Massachusetts Councils on Aging  |
|  | Emily Shea, Commissioner, Age Strong Commission, MCOA Board President |
| AGE | |
| Â | Susan Flanagan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield |
| 10:30 –11:30 am |
Workshop Session IÂ |
| Â | Fresh Programming for Older AdultsÂ
Discover fresh programming ideas that will enrich the lives and well-being of older adults in your community. Leave with new ways to create impactful and engaging programs for your senior center. This workshop will provide an overview of dementia risk factors, as well as showcase resources to help create a personalized action plan aimed at promoting health brain and cognitive aging. Alicia Mattsson-Boze, Program and Volunteer Coordinator, East Longmeadow Council on Aging |
| Â | SIG Overview: How to Apply for a Field Demonstration Project Grant
Learn about the SIG process that provides funding to COAs, including how to complete and submit a Field Demonstration Project proposal and an introduction to MCOA’s new online grant platform. Maddie Noonan, Assistant Director, Massachusetts Councils on Aging |
| Â |
Panel Discussion: MCOA’s Let’s Talk About It! Strengthening End-of-Life Conversations Initiative Join this panel discussion to learn how several COAs/Senior Centers have attended one of our Let’s Talk About it! regional trainings and have begun implementing programs . . . and how you can begin! Cheryl Botieri, End-of-Life Educator, Aging with Grit, Grace, and Dignity LLC |
| 11:45 – 1:00 pm |
Lunch & Keynote Speaker |
| Â |
The Power of Stillness: Cultivating Clarity, Resilience, and Well-Being for Senior Center Leaders Discover the power of stillness to reduce stress, enhance clarity, and prevent burnout. Learn simple mindfulness practices to recharge, lead with ease, and foster well-being. Cheryl Jones, Owner & CEO, Thrive 55+ Wellness |
| 1:15 – 2:15 pm |
Workshop Session IIÂ |
| Â |
Hands-On Phone Photography & Video for COA Events & Marketing This interactive session is designed for Council on Aging staff who want to enhance their event marketing and storytelling through high-quality phone photography and video. Paula Hersey, Digital Communications & Marketing Manager, Massachusetts Councils on Aging |
| Â |
Hot Summers – Cool Humans: Extreme Heat Preparedness for Older Adults and Caregivers This interactive workshop will share steps and tools that older adults and their caregivers can use to protect older adults during hot days. Elisha Goodman, Special Projects Manager and Emergency Management Lead, Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) |
| Â | Transportation Opportunities & Challenges
Hear updates on MassDOT’s initiatives to expand transportation for older adults – including the kickoff for our statewide mobility management pilot – and share your own transportation updates & ideas! Rachel Fichtenbaum, Manager of Grant Programs & Mobility Management, MassDOT Rail & Transit |
| 2:30 – 3:30 pm |
Workshop Session IIIÂ |
| Â |
Meeting the Unique Social Needs of Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Older Adults Social Isolation and Loneliness are associated with poor health outcomes; learn about work being done to meet the unique social needs of Massachusetts LGBTQ+ older adults. Jenn Knight, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Outstanding Life |
| Â |
Small Additions, Big Impact: The Power of ADUÂ Curious about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)? Join us to explore ADUs, understand their advantages, and clear up any misconceptions, making these small homes a valuable addition for expanding housing. Antron Watson, Age-Friendly Director, AARP Massachusetts |
| Â |
Exploring and Activating New Healthy Aging Data and Community Voices This workshop will provide an overview of the new Healthy Aging Data Reports and Community Profiles and their use supporting age/dementia friendly initiatives, grant applications and advocacy. Jason Molony, Age & Dementia Friendly Program Director, LifePath |
Map & Directions
1 College St, Worcester, MA 01610