THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 14, 2023 Page 11 Malden legislators address urgent homecare issues at MVES event Legislative Breakfast features lawmakers, mayors from around the region T he annual Legislative Breakfast of Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) focused on budget and policy while putting a human face on homecare issues. Dozens of legislators, mayors and community members gathered on March 28, 2023, at MVES’ headquarters in Malden. Speakers and attendees at the event included Massachusetts Legislature members Senator Jason Lewis (cohost), Representative Paul Donato (cohost) as well as Senators Sal DiDomenico and Pat Jehlen, Representatives Christine Barber, Michael Day, Richard Haggerty, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Joseph McGonagle; and Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. Key staff from the offices of Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Bradley Jones and Representative Steve Ultrino were also in attendance. These elected officials were joined by MVES Board members, MVES staff and stakeholders from community programs across the region. Malden resident Larry Pruitt (at right) described the assistance he receives from Mystic Valley Elder Services, including support from MVES Resident Service Coordinator Kerry Kisiel (left). Representative Donato explained that he had two reasons for speaking: to urge his fellow lawmakers to support the legislative agenda laid out by MVES and to thank MVES for its efforts. “The real workers, the ones who are in the trenches doing the daily, daily work for the seniors in the community,” he said. MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone highlighted three FY24 state budget priorities to fund critical programs that support older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. The first request Vincent Cali (at right) discussed how Mystic Valley Elder Services has helped his father Frank Cali (at left), a 98-yearold Malden resident, to remain living at home. would provide $4.7 million in additional funding for statewide Elder Supportive Housing. MVES is an Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) in Massachusetts that receives funding through the Elder Supportive Housing initiative to work in partnership with local housing authorities to embed Resident Service Coordinators within housing sites. “Our Resident Service Coordinator staff plan events and programming, and provide Case Management support. We also offer meals at those sites,” GurPictured from left to right: Representative Michael Day, Representative Joseph McGonagle, Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur, MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone, Representative Christine Barber, Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Sen. Jason Lewis and Representative Richard Haggerty at Mystic Valley Elder Services’ Legislative Breakfast. gone explained. “It’s such a wonderful opportunity for residents to come together as a community and access services that help them to age in place.” The lawmakers heard an example of this program in action from Larry Pruitt, who lives at a Malden Housing Authority building. Pruitt explained how MVES staff help him coordinate transportation to medical appointments and he also receives Meals on Wheels twice a week. He relishes the sense of community that MVES programs bring to the building. “It’s been such a joy living in Malden and taking advantage of Mystic Valley. They’ve been so much help,” Pruitt said. Vincent Cali described his experience working with MVES to ensure care for his father, Frank, MVES | SEE PAGE 17
12 Publizr Home