Leadership in Action: Meet 2026 Director of the Year Michelle Kelleher
Lexington’s Senior Services Director demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to inclusion can strengthen an entire community.
Great leadership isn’t always measured by the number of programs offered or events organized. Sometimes, it’s measured by the relationships built, the barriers removed, and the opportunities created for others.
For Michelle Kelleher, Senior Services Director for the Town of Lexington, that philosophy is at the heart of everything she does.
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is proud to recognize Michelle as its 2026 Director of the Year, honoring her exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to improving the lives of older adults.
MCOA’s Unwavering Commitment to Professional Development: Empowering COA Staff and Directors
The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is deeply committed to ensuring that Council on Aging (COA) staff and directors across the Commonwealth have access to the best possible professional development. This dedication is especially...
Flip the Script on Aging: Celebrating Older Americans Month 2025
Each May, we observe Older Americans Month (OAM) to honor the invaluable contributions of older adults in our communities. The 2025 theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," encourages us to challenge outdated stereotypes and embrace the diverse...
Your Voice Matters: Join Us for Older Adult Lobby Day to Advocate for Older Americans Month
At the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA), we believe advocacy is a year-round commitment—but there’s one day that truly unites our voices on Beacon Hill: Older Adult Lobby Day. This powerful day of action brings together older adults...
The Importance of Community Connection
On a showery and windswept day last fall, while on vacation in Ireland, I had the privilege to meet Paddy, Sean and Seamus and was invited into their Men’s Shed on Achill Island in County Mayo. This was on my “Bucket List”, and you may...
Hayley Wood: Championing the Well-being of Older Adults
In a world often focused on challenges, it's refreshing to hear stories of dedication, compassion, and the profound rewards of serving others. Hayley Wood, MCOA's Economic Security and Outreach Manager, offers a unique perspective, shaped...
The Heartbeat of Community: Uplifting Lives Through Council on Aging Social Services
In the bustling heart of any community, there lies a network of support, a lifeline for those navigating the complexities of aging and life's challenges. At the Council on Aging (COA), social services play a pivotal role, weaving together...
From Corporate Calls to Community Champion: Randy’s Second Act
In the heart of Framingham, Massachusetts, amidst the bustling activity of the Callahan Center, a story of transformation unfolded. Randy Aylsworth, a seasoned professional with a background in the corporate world, found himself drawn to...
Bridging Theory and Practice: How Social Work Interns Make a Difference at the COA
For Andrew Sylvia, an advanced standing Master of Social Work Student at Bridgewater State, the path to social work felt like a "calling." His experiences working with children with behavioral disorders and his close relationship with his...
From Garden to Table: Cultivating Community and Healthy Aging at the Chicopee River Mills Senior Center
At the Chicopee River Mills Senior Center, food is more than just sustenance; it's a catalyst for connection, a tool for empowerment, and a cornerstone of healthy aging. Sherry Manyak, the center's director, and her staff have cultivated...
Discovering Healthy Aging at MCOA: Empowering Older Adults in Massachusetts
Want to know the secret to a thriving community of older adults? In Massachusetts, the answer lies in empowerment. The Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is dedicated to equipping local Councils on Aging (COAs) with everything they...
MCOA Leads Dementia Friendly MA, Offering Resources and Grants
MCOA is the state lead for the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts (DFM) initiative, a community-based, grassroots movement to grow awareness, services, and infrastructure to support the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Communities often choose to merge DFM goals with corresponding and overlapping goals for network membership in the Age-Friendly Massachusetts movement, which is steered by AARP-MA.
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Advocacy Needed to Protect Meals on Wheels
Mass Aging Access, the membership and advocacy organization for Aging Services Access Points in MA, has issued an advocacy alert to protect Meals on Wheels. If you're concerned about the future of this program, which uses combined federal and state funding, visit...
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Every June the Alzheimer's Association provides new opportunities to learn about habits that enhance brain health. Their many resources encourage us to be proactive and take action in a number of ways: advocating for legislation to increase access to testing...
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Federal Funding Update
On December 19, Judge Mary S. McElroy of the Rhode Island District Court ruled in favor of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (plaintiff) in a hearing challenging HUD’s recent actions regarding the most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY 2025...