Marshall Home Fund
Marshall Home Fund

Recent Grants

 
2022 Program Grants: Marshall Home Fund surpasses $1 million granted with 2022 awards
 
The Board of Directors of the Marshall Home Fund is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2022 round of program grant awards. This spring, the Board of Directors pledged $75,600 to local organizations that benefit residents of Watertown who are aged 55 and older through programs that provide group services or emergency individual assistance. In awarding its 2022 grants, the MHF exceeds a total of $1 million awarded over a 17-year period for the benefit of older adults in Watertown.
The 2022 grant recipients include:

Carroll Center for the Blind: Services for Seniors with Low Vision or Blindness provides evaluation, recommendations, and training on independent living to older adults in Watertown with vision loss.

Mass. Assoc. for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Wraparound Vision and Rehabilitation Services will assist residents of Watertown 55+ with low vision or blindness in their access and use of technology.

MetroWest Collaborative Development: Funding will support residents of St. Joseph’s of Watertown 55+ during disruption caused by a construction project to replace an elevator.

Mosesian Center for the Arts: The Aging Creatively Project will provide a number of opportunities for older adult residents of Watertown to participate in visual, performing, and literary arts programming.

Perkins School for the Blind: Thriving with Vision Loss ensures that seniors in Watertown who are visually impaired have access to literacy opportunities and can engage with Perkins staff and each other to reduce social isolation.

Project Literacy: English Language Instruction provides instruction in English, support and socialization for senior immigrant residents 55+.

Springwell: The Elder Independence and Safety Fund provides direct grants to Watertown seniors who need small items or assistance that can help them maintain their independence.

Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center administers two grants: The Supplemental Transportation Program provides subsidized taxi rides for seniors 60+ to local medical appointments and in emergency situations in absence of other transportation options. The Emergency Assistance Block Grant provides immediate money to vendors for emergency issues that are affecting personal health, home, transit, or well-being of older Watertown residents.

Watertown Families Together/Church of the Good Shepherd: Generations Together offers activities that foster camaraderie, friendship, creativity and joy among the residents of two Assisted Living Homes.

Watertown Health Department: Compassionate Connections addresses problems of cluttering and hoarding through a supportive case management model.

Watertown Recreation Department: The Neighborhood Shoveling Assistance Program assists older adults and people with disabilities to safely leave their homes after a snowfall, by removing snow and ice from their sidewalks, driveways, and stairs.

Watertown Fire Department: Fire and Life Safety Educational Programs educate seniors on valuable life safety information and highlight Fire Department operations in a fun, safe and engaging manner.

Watertown Veterans’ Services: The Veterans’ Outreach Initiative creates and distributes materials for veterans providing information on benefits for which they may be eligible.

 
2021 Program Grants: Making Watertown an Age-Friendly Community
 
An Age-Friendly Community is one where older residents can be healthy and productive. The World Health Organization and the AARP have established specific goals for a community seeking to be age friendly.  Grantees of the Marshall Home Fund provide programs and services that address many of these goals, as summarized below.
 
Social Participation
4 MHF grantees provide groups of older adults with accessible, affordable, engaging activities.
Ballroom in Boston: Line Dancing Classes  Free weekly lessons for older adults and/or free or reduced pricing for other dance opportunities.
Church of the Good Shepherd: Watertown Families Together-Together Is Better A companionship program that brings together young families and Brigham House residents for the educational and recreational benefit of all. 
Council on Aging: Summer Supper Program  Grab and Go suppers provided by local restaurants, available outside the Senior Center.
Mosesian Center for Arts: Aging Creatively  An opportunity to participate in visual, performing and literary arts programming through an incentivized volunteering program; art making; and free ticket distribution. 

Health and Social Services 
4 MHF grantees deliver direct health, mental health, and social services to vulnerable individuals.
Springwell: Elder Independence & Safety Fund  Direct grants to Watertown seniors who are in need of small items or assistance in maintaining their independence.
Watertown Council on Aging: Emergency Assistance Block Grant  Small direct grants for housing and health needs of older adults.
Watertown Community  Development and Planning: Watertown Farmers’ Market SNAP Match and Volunteer Programs  Programs that enable older adults to access fresh, healthy, and affordable foods at the Farmer's Market
Wayside Multi-Service Center: Block Grant  Emergency grants for residents 55-60 years old who are facing a financial crisis.  
 
Housing and Transportation
5 MHF-funded projects address housing and transportation needs of older residents.
Cascap: Installation of new front doors at Marshall Place Provide a welcome and accessible entrance to this residence for older adults. 
Metrowest Collaborative Development, Inc: Ready Renter Program and Affordable Housing How-to Workshops  Workshops for older adults  on downsizing and finding affordable housing. Weekly online housing clinics.
Watertown Fire Department: Fire and Life Safety Educational Series for Older Adults  Workshops held in various community locations to provide valuable fire and life safety information, while highlighting fire department operations in a fun, engaging way.
Watertown CoA: Supplemental Transportation Program  Subsidized taxi program for residents 60+ to local medical appointments and in emergency situations, in absence of other transportation options.
Watertown Recreation Department:  Neighborhood Snow Shoveling Assistance  Local students remove snow from sidewalks, driveways and stairs of older adults, so they can safely leave their homes by foot or car after a snowfall.

 

Respect and Social Inclusion
4 MHF grantees provide groups of potentially isolated older adults with tools to help them integrate into the community.
Carroll Center: Essential Skills Training and Low Vision Presentations  Training for Watertown seniors w/ vision loss on completing daily living tasks easily with a few modifications/ Three Low Vision workshops.
Mass Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Technology Training for Seniors with Sight Loss  Training to enable individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access technology--increasing independence, community engagement and wellness.
Perkins: Thriving with Vision Loss  Older adults can access the resources of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library, increasing self-confidence and social engagement. 
Project Literacy: English Language Instruction for Ages 55+ Twice-weekly classes for older immigrants alongside their peers of all generations, taught by professional English language instructors.
 
 2020 Special Grants to Address Social Isolation 
 
The social isolation imposed on everyone due to Covid-19 has been particularly difficult for older adults. In December, MHF provided minigrants to several of our program grantees to enhance their capacity to reach  isolated, vulnerable older adults. 

Mass Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Using targeted advertisements to reach older Watertown residents who are blind or visually impaired and encourage them to access  MABVI services that most directly address social isolation—technology training, volunteer matching, and mental health support.
Project Literacy: Funding Master Trainers who provide workshops for Project Literacy's volunteer teachers, facilitators and tutors, with a focus on strategies for delivering services in a remote learning environment.
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Previous Grants 
 
Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2020
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 Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2019
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• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2018
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• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2017
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• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2016
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• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants May 2015
   Download press release here
• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants 2014
   Download press release here 
• Marshall Home Fund Program Grants May 2013
   Download press release here

Marshall Home Fund

Contact Info
Marshall Home Fund
120 Mt. Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472
info@MarshallHomeFund.org

Marshall Home Fund