The Bourne Council on Aging (COA), led by Director Debora Oliviere, serves residents aged 60 and above, a threshold tied to critical grant funding that supports many of their vital programs. Since assuming the director role in 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, Debbie has navigated significant changes, including a major flood and a shift in the population they serve.
“In 2024, we finally were getting back to who we were,” Debbie reflects, describing the post-pandemic evolution. She notes a significant shift from “the greatest generation” to a “heavy Boomer generation” utilizing their services, which has necessitated new marketing approaches and program offerings. The COA now provides popular therapeutic offerings like Reiki, drum circles, and chair yoga with sound meditation. Their chair yoga class alone draws around 50 participants twice a week, a testament to the community’s engagement.
Beyond popular classes, the COA offers a wide array of services including a working cafe, a respite program for caregivers, wellness clinics, fitness programs, and an extensive outreach department. This department, as Debbie describes, acts as the “eyes and ears to the community,” assisting with everything from SNAP applications and housing concerns to navigating complex benefits.
A key focus for the Bourne COA has been fostering inclusivity, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. “When I first started here, we didn’t have really any LGBTQ+ type of programming. In 2022, we made it a focus,” Debbie states. Their approach began with community roundtables, seeking direct feedback on what services and programs were desired. Debbie understood the specific needs of this community, noting, “This was a generation where individuals weren’t permitted to marry or openly raise children, leading many to age in isolation after their partners passed away. This history often meant they had specific needs and might not have felt welcome in municipal settings.” This understanding drove their commitment to change.
They started with a movie night, partnering with a neighboring town, Sandwich, to screen “Gen Silent,” a film about LGBTQ+ aging. Building on this, they’ve gradually developed a core group of 10-13 regular attendees for quarterly events, including their annual Pride luncheon.
Their initial efforts, like placing rainbow stickers on office doors and in the cafe, met with some resistance. “After a couple of months, we had some pushback, and it was really upsetting, very distressing,” Debbie recounts. One individual aggressively removed stickers and challenged staff. Debbie’s response was resolute: “For us, that sticker simply means, ‘Everyone is welcome here, no exceptions.’ It’s a universal message of inclusivity.” Despite the challenges, the COA persisted.
Debbie often shares a powerful personal anecdote to explain the vital importance of this work to those who question it. She recalls a time when a caregiver for an individual in their day program identified his partner as his “brother.” Debbie was unaware of their true relationship until the bus driver casually referred to him as his “partner.” Debbie reflects, “I felt awful that they didn’t feel comfortable enough to clue me in on that.” The profound impact came later: when the partner passed away, the surviving individual had to “go back in the closet” upon entering assisted living. Debbie emphatically states, “And that’s why we do this work.” She adds, “It’s the right human thing to do. This is a community that was marginalized for years and continues to be. And that’s why it’s important.”
While there have been political challenges and a climate of fear impacting many seeking assistance, Debbie notes that attendance at their inclusive programs has remained steady, with a core group appreciating the community and support.
Here are key takeaways for other Councils on Aging from Bourne’s experience:
Tips for Councils on Aging to Foster Inclusivity and Welcome
- Seek Community Feedback Actively: Don’t assume you know what a specific community needs. Start by engaging them in discussions to understand their desires and challenges.As Debbie advises, “You need community feedback, because every community is a little different.”
- Partner with Local Stakeholders: Identify individuals and organizations within the community who can help you understand, promote, and sustain inclusive programming. Debbie stresses, “You need stakeholders. You need people that are going to help you move this forward.”
- Be Visible and Unapologetic in Your Welcome: Displaying inclusive symbols like rainbow stickers clearly communicates your stance. Be prepar
ed forpotential pushback, and have a clear, principled response ready. Debbie’s firm stance was: “We made it clear that we would not be swayed by discriminatory views, as the Council on Aging is fully within its rights and mission to provide these programs.” - Start Slowly and Be Persistent: Building trust and engagement takes time. Begin with a few well-chosen programs and consistently offer them. Debbie describes their process: “We started off with a movie and got some more feedback from folks.”
- Leverage Personal Stories to Educate: Powerful personal narratives can effectively communicate the importance of inclusive work to those who don’t understandor are resistant. Debbie’s story of the couple who felt unable to be open truly transformed a critic: “I have no response. I have no rebuttal to that.”
- Network with Other COAs and Groups: Share resources, ideas, and even attendees with other Councils on Aging and community groupsalreadydoing this work. Debbie mentions, “We actively collaborate with the Yarmouth group, sending them our program information and receiving theirs in return.”
- Champion the Fundamental Human Right to Belong: Frame inclusivity not just as a program, but as a core value. As Debbie profoundly states, “We all deserve to age in place successfully. Everyone should feel welcome, and no one should be excluded as we go through the aging process.”
Bourne’s journey illustrates that while establishing an inclusive environment may face obstacles, the dedication to creating a safe and welcoming space for all members of the community is a deeply impactful and ultimately successful endeavor.
