Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 26, 2024 Mass. Senior Action Council tackles affordable housing, transportation and accessible bus stops in Malden, Everett and Revere By Tara Vocino T he Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) improves quality of life for seniors in Malden, Everett and Revere. Advocating for seniors independently of their local senior center, Mass. Senior Action Council members work on critical issues, such as aff ordable housing and transportation, including a bench for a bus stop. “It is all driven by the partnerships that we have developed over the years, most notably, with Mass Senior Action Council (MSAC), who I continue to meet with on a monthly basis,” Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said on Friday. “These meetings have resulted in our focus on a host of topics including affordable housing, transportation, and accessible bus stops.” According to Christenson, their advocacy is contagious, as organizations, like Housing Families and the Asian Community Development Corporation, have joined with MSAC to advocate for more affordable housing. This priority is coming to fruition with three noteworthy aff ordable housing developments in the works, and the Chinese Progressive Association and our own Disability Commission have been instrumental in advocating for accessible bus stops and more transportation options, which are coming as well with the MBTA’s Better Bus Network and a dozen or so new bus shelters. “They’re not building federal housing, like 630 Salem St., right now,” Metro North Community Organizer Jake Taber said. “We’re hoping the bond bill will pass at the state level, which will allow us to raise money.” According to MSAC Metro North Chapter Vice President/State Vice President Karen Lynch, vacant properties can be rented out to become affordable housing. Metro North chapter Treasurer Cindy Harris added there are three vacant properties along Cross Street. Secretary of the MSAC Metro North chapter/State Board Treasurer Martha London said the council advocates for low Ride fares. For instance, it used to cost $3.70 each way, and it’s now $1.70 when seniors travel within three-quarters of a mile – either to their starting point or reaching their destination. “Transportation is an important issue,” London said. “We also participate in meetings with the T.” London said Metro North is the only chapter that meets with a mayor monthly. Statewide, the council has 1,000 members and Bilingual Storytime: The Real Cinco de Mayo Story Wednesday, May 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m. T Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) staff at the Malden Senior Center, shown from left to right: Metro North chapter Vice President/State Vice President Karen Lynch, Metro North Chapter Secretary/State Board Treasurer Martha London, Metro North Chapter Treasurer Cindy Harris and Metro North and Somerville-Cambridge Community Organizer Jake Taber. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) 120 members locally. Harris said the council learned during one of the meetings that the bus stops that seniors use frequently aren’t always easy to get to. “Seniors have to travel down the block to get there,” Harris said. “There’s not always a bench at each bus stop.” Some seniors can’t get out much, and they want to help them. Taber said the council has advocated for six more bus shelters, especially at 557 Pleasant St. and 630 Salem St. Another issue that they’re tackling is a water leak at 557 Pleasant St., which, like the others, is an elderly/disabled building. Harris estimated that 30 apartments out of 180 apartments become fl ooded from a leaking roof when it rains. “Malden Housing Authority is aware of the problem and working to fi x it, but we have been working with some members in the building to push our elected offi cials for more resources/ help to get repairs moving forward faster,” Taber said. “This is because the longer we have to wait until a full repair, the more fl ooding events that will happen, the greater opportunity for damage and mold.” For instance, last week, 15 members from 557 Pleasant St. visited U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark’s district offi ce to tell their stories of serious fl ooding incidents. “As prices go up and seniors’ income remains the same, their quality-of-life decreases,” Harris said. Lynch added that they’re working on a Medicare savings plan for employees once they’re retired. The 2024 income limit is $2,844 for an individual and $3,853 for a married couple. The council’s mission statement is that they’re a democratic, grassroots, senior-run organization committed to empowering seniors to collectively promote the rights and well-being of all people, particularly those of vulnerable seniors. The council meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. Dues are $10 yearly or $50 for a lifetime membership. For a limited time, until June 30, 2024, annual dues for new members joining us will be $5. For more information, contact Taber at Jake@ masenioraction.org. What three photos are you bringing to the Mass. Memories Road Show? he Mass. Memories Road Show is here! The event will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Malden Senior/Teen Community Center. All communiCinco de Mayo (Photo courtesy of the Malden Public Library) C inco de Mayo – the 5th of May! Is this the date when Mexico celebrates independence? Learn the true history behind this often-misunderstood holiday. What does Cinco de Mayo mean to Mexicans and to the United States? When did the celebration start? This three-part program, which will be presented in both English and Spanish, is designed to be fun, energetic and interactive, with storytelling, a craft, and a dynamic activity – appropriate for ages fi ve to eight. This program is supported by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. ty members – past or present – are invited to come and bring up to three photos to submit to a statewide digital archive that will provide a “snapshot” of the Malden community for future generations. Whether you’ve lived in Malden your whole life or you just arrived a month ago, your story is important to the history of this city. The Mass. Memories Road Show is a free, event-based, participatory archiving program that documents people, places and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. Archivists and public historians from UMass Boston’s Jospeh P. Healey Library collaborate with local planning teams to put on these events. The collected photographs and stories are included in a digital archive at openarchives.umb.edu. How do I participate? Decide what photographs you would like to bring and think about why these three photos are important to you. Your photos can be old or new, digital or print, submitted as a hard copy or on a cellphone or fl ash drive. The photos will be scanned and returned to you at the event. You will be asked to describe the photographs in your own words for inclusion in the archive. You’ll also have the option to share the story behind the photos on video, receive your own keepsake photo of the event and receive advice from professional archivists and historians on dating and caring for your family photos. Arrive anytime between 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. and plan to spend at least 30 to 60 minutes. There will be other fun activities and a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. This event is part of Malden’s 375th anniversary year celebration. Urban Media Arts (UMA) will be screening the Filmbuilding Malden series in the auditorium that day, so you can also catch a short locally made fi lm while you’re there! The local planning team for Malden includes the City of Malden, Malden Reads, UMA and the Malden Public Library. For complete information about this event and to see more samples of photos already in the Malden archive, visit urbanmediaarts.org/malden-mass-memories-road-show/. Email maldenreads@gmail.com if you have questions!
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