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2009 Actions & Events
Expiring Use bill signed into law -
Mass Senior Action was a driving force behind making it happen!
November 24, 2009
 
For the past several years, MSAC members have campaigned tirelessly to save affordable housing in Massachusetts. In November 2009 we celebrated a major success in this campaign, when Governor Patrick signed into law "An Act to Preserve Affordable Public Housing", creating a process for private and public purchasers who agree to preserve affordability to purchase developments when and if they are for sale, and providing stronger tenant protections. Why is this so important?
·Tens of thousands of privately owned apartments in Massachusetts are made affordable through time-limited state and federal subsidies. They are known as “expiring use” buildings.
·Since 1998 more than 5,000 of these affordable apartments have been converted to market rate rents.
·In the next three years the subsidies could end for over 23,000 of these affordable homes.
·Approximately 85% of the residents in “expiring use” buildings are seniors or younger people with disabilities.
·Massachusetts’ communities cannot afford to permanently lose this important source of affordable housing.
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Representative Kevin Honan with Mass Senior Action Council (MSAC) members and other bill supporters on October 28th.
(Front row, left to right) Gloria Bittle (MSAC), Peggy Hurson (MSAC), Rep. Honan, Deloris V. Anderson (MSAC), Carolyn Villers (MSAC Executive Director), (Middle row, L to R) Geneva Harris (MSAC), Maryann Mulligan (Governmental Strategies), Kathy Brown (BTC), Sean Caron (CHAPA), Alison Staton (MACDC), Elizabeth Toulan (GBLS), (Back row, L to R) Susan Hegel (GBLS), Ann Jochnick (GBLS)
2009 Member Convention
Saturday, November 14, 2009
 
Over 160 MSAC members participated in our biennial convention, held at the beautiful Malden Senior Center in Malden, MA. (above left) Sandy Albright, Under-Secretary of Elder Affairs for the Commonwealth of MA, was our featured speaker. (above right)
Members attended six different lively and informative workshops, covering topics as diverse as Affordable Housing,National Health Care Reform, and How to Run a Successful Meeting. Our new statewide officers were sworn in for the two-year term of Nov 2009-Nov 2011. Eight Resolutions were presented and voted upon, representing the basic MSAC priorities for the next two years: Preserving Affordable Housing, Health Care, Home Care, Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement, Safe Staffing (Keeping Patients Safe), Safe Highways and Public Transportation, Prescription drug coverage, and Social Security.
The Convention ended on a high note, with members cheering on our campaign to restore Prescription Advantage funding.
We mourn the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy. We will always be grateful for his tireless efforts to make the world a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Senator Kennedy, may you rest in peace.
--Wednesday August 26, 2009
Keep Us Covered! Budget Cuts Protest at Grove Hall
Thursday July 9th - Dorchester
Over 60 Mass Senior Action members and supporters hit the street corners in Grove Hall for a short, energized outcry over the cuts made to Prescription Advantage and Home Care programs in the FY2010 state budget. Several members wore oversized buttocks peeking out behind a flapping hospital gown, demanding that the state “Keep Me Covered!”, and declaring that the funding cuts today will leave us all paying more in the future.
28th Anniversary & Awards Dinner
took place Friday May 29th at IBEW Local 103 Freeport Hall
Almost 350 seniors and supporters attended to hear Governor Deval Patrick and Congressman Barney Frank address the crowd; Michael Festa received a well-deserved Recognition Award; our Unsung Heroes were honored for their dedication; and so many wonderful contributors helped us to raise funds to keep our good work moving forward! Our thanks to all who supported and participated in the evening!
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank Governor Deval Patrick Michael Festa
Our 2009 Unsung Heroes: John Bennett (President), Joan Pingley (Bristol Chapter) , Ruby Woodbine (Betty Schmidt/Cambridge Chapter), Linda Moore (Boston Chapter), Dolores Walcott (North Shore Chapter), William Hawley (Worcester Chapter), Jo-An Barchard (Metro North Chapter), and Annie Mells accepting on behalf of Elisabeth Mesick (Springfield Chapter).
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors! (click here for the full Sponsor List)
Mass Senior Action welcomes new Executive Director
pictured: Carolyn Villers (MSAC Executive Director), Governor Deval Patrick, John Bennett (MSAC President)
In May 2009 Carolyn Villers took on the role of Executive Director of Mass Senior Action. During the previous three years Carolyn held the role of MSAC Community Organizer, and is an experienced professional with over ten years experience in community-based organizations whose missions were to improve the quality of individual's lives and to strengthen the community.
Senior Acti on Day at the State House
Tuesday May 12, 2009
Over 200 Mass Senior Action members raised our voices to restore funding for Prescription Advantage, preserve senior housing, end the waiting list for home care services, & more! We asked each representative to become a Senior Super Hero - Stop the Cuts - Raise the Revenue! We were even visited by our very own Senior Super Hero! Thank you for joining the rally, and visiting your elected representatives!
Raising Cane!
took place March 4th at the State House
Mass Senior Action marched on Governor Patrick, demanding that he restore the cuts to Prescription Advantage and Home Care programs. Click on the arrow above to see a news story by New England Cable News.
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