| Secretary Festa's visit was part of his newly | | | | ensure that we are all on the same page in |
| established "Community Connections Across the | | | | our dedication to ensuring comprehensive, |
| Commonwealth" initiative which is focused on | | | | high quality services for elders." |
| obtaining feedback and gathering concerns | | | | |
| from agencies in the elder services network. | | | | OCES serves the towns of Abington, Avon, |
| Secretary Festa toured OCES, held a question | | | | Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East |
| and answer session and spent a lot of time | | | | Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, |
| speaking with the staff and gathering | | | | Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, |
| information. | | | | Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, |
| | | | Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West |
| The event was attended by area Councils on | | | | Bridgewater and Whitman. |
| Aging as well as staff and board members from | | | | |
| two other ASAPs (HESSCO and South Shore Elder | | | | About Old Colony Elderly Services |
| Services). Representatives Geraldine Creedon | | | | |
| and Thomas Kennedy also attended the event | | | | Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly |
| and offered theirsupport for the new | | | | Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, |
| Secretary. | | | | non-profit Aging Services Access Points |
| | | | (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
| According to Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive | | | | |
| Director of OCES, "We strongly support | | | | The organization's mission is to provide |
| Secretary Festa's 'Community Connections | | | | services which will support the dignity and |
| Across the Commonwealth' initiative, as it | | | | independence of elders by helping them |
| enhances communication between elder service | | | | maximize their quality of life; live safely |
| agencies and the Executive Office of Elder | | | | and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary |
| Affairs. Moving forward, it will help to | | | | or premature institutionalization. |