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Agency Profile

Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Asian elderly since 1972. A comprehensive network of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate programs and services is available to accommodate the needs of the elders so that they can maintain their independence and wellness at home in the community.

Our Mission

The Mission of Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center is to promote the general welfare of Asian elders.  It is committed to advocate on behalf of Chinese-speaking Asian seniors and enable them to access its comprehensive network of culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate programs and services and enhance their quality of life.

History

Origins

Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center (GBCGAC) traces it origins to 1971 when neighborhood activists, including members of community organizations, seniors, merchants, professionals, students and leaders, recognized the lack of services to the Chinese-speaking elders. After much lobbying, the City’s Boston Redevelopment Authority allowed the use of a storefront a 239 Harrison Avenue to establish a drop-in center. Even though there were no funds available, the center happened because hours of labor went into cleaning and painting to create a place where elderly could socialize. Boston’s Commission on Affairs of the elderly supported the center by providing part-time staff to cook and serve Chinese-style meals to approximately 40 participants daily. Furniture and kitchen equipment were donated by friends, local institutions and merchants.

Establishment

In January 1972, the Chinese Golden Age Center was formally created and received qualification as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. The enactment of the federal Older Americans Act provided funds to serve the social needs of the elderly. In 1973, the Golden Age Center received its start-up grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. These funds along with foundation grants and contributions enabled the Golden Age Center to plan for programs and services for the elderly.

Highlights

1970s

  • The Executive Office of Elder Affairs awarded a Title III start-up grant.
  • The Center secured a Community Development Block Grant from the City as well as a protective Services Contract.
  • The elderly nutrition program started to receive funding.
  • The Center relocated to its Quincy Tower site at 5 Oak Street West in Boston and greatly expanded its space.
  • The Center’s first adult day health program started.

1980s

  • Hong Lok House located at 25-31 Essex Street in Chinatown, the Center sponsored and HUD funded 28-unit elderly housing development, opened in January 1982.
  • In 1985, Brighton House at 677 Cambridge Street near Brighton Center, was purchased, renovated and began operation as a satellite center for the growing number of Chinese-speaking elders living in the Allston/Brighton area.
  • Lifeline, medical emergency response service, received funding.
  • Adult day health programs expanded to all three sites, and began to successfully serve frail elders.
  • The City began to fund Title III-B drop-in social service grants every year.

1990s

  • Mystic Valley Elder Services, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, South Shore Elder Services, and West Suburban Elder Services (now Springwell), being Area Agencies on Aging began to award federal Title III Community Outreach and Social Service grants.
  • New England Medical Center (now Tufts Medical Center) awarded health promotion grants through its Asian Health Initiative.
  • Through a subcontract with National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, the Agency became a provider of employment and training opportunities through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
  • The Agency gained the use of three additional service and outreach sites. These include the Wollaston Senior Center in Quincy, Malden Council on Aging and Cambridge Council on Aging.
  • The State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) certified the Agency as minority non-profit organization.
  • The agency collaborated with Harvard University Medical School, Brandeis University, Wellesley College, and Boston University on several research projects related to Asian elderly issues.

2000-2005

  • Collaborated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Hebrew Senior Life on Asian health education.
  • Established an outreach site at the Brookline Council on Aging.
  • Continuation of Title III-B social services grants and Title III-D health education and promotion grants with addition of Title III-E caregivers grants and Title III-D medication management grant.
  • SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) program started.  It is a State Health Insurance Assistance program supported by MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
  • Continued Boston Neighbor Walk partially funded by Boston the Boston Public Health Commission to improve the health of Boston residences through regular walking.
  • Partnered with Boston Housing Authority to implement Resident Service Coordination program
  • A new Hong Lok House was planned to expand from 28 units to 75 units of affordable housing with a new adult day health center and a senior center.

2006-2010

  • Three congregate meal sites were established in Quincy.
  • Continuation of social service IIIB Grants, IIID Health Promotion and Education Grants with Medication Management
  • Evidence based healthy aging programs started.  They included but were not limited to: Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, A Matter of Balance, TaiChi, Moving for Better Balance.
  • Work at the new Hong Lok House was underway.
  • Elderly nutrition program expanded to include nutrition education, outreach and counseling in homes by a registered dietician funded by Boston’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly
  • Collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital ADRC and Hebrew Senior Life on Asian health education
  • Expanded services to two outreach sites; Belmont Council on Aging and Needham Council on Aging Senior Centers.

2011-2015

  • New Hong Lok House ground breaking took place in August 2011.  It re-opened in October 2015, with 75 units of affordable housing, a new Adult Day Health Center and a new senior activity center/congregate meal site.
  • Elderly nutrition program added a new central kitchen in Somerville to provide over 3000 Chinese hot lunches per day for both congregate and home-delivered meals.  Shelf-stable meals and weekend meals are also delivered.  The existing Quincy Tower kitchen continues to prepare breakfast, as well as meals for the adult day health program.
  • Received funding from Mass. Department of Transportation to purchase two fully accessible vans for senior participants.
  • Started home delivered meal service in Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Belmont, Watertown, Newton and Brookline. The service is funded by Suburban Boston Consortium.
  • Received funding from Boston Foundation to support Asian Elder Drop-In Service in GBCGAC’s senior centers.
  • Elderly nutrition program started annual Senior Famer’s Market Nutrition Program funded by MA Department of Agricultural Resources.

2016-Present

  • Started Memory Café for Asian Seniors, a bilingual program that supports seniors with memory loss.
  • The Giving Tree was set up in Hong Lok House.  It is a donor’s board to recognize those who support GBCGAC’s eldercare services.
  • Partnered with Central Boston Elder Services to continue to implement Boston Housing Authority’s Resident Service Coordination program.
  • Started wellness nurse service at Quincy Tower building funded by Beacon Residential Management Limited Partnership.
  • Elderly nutrition program added two congregate meal sites in Boston’s South End and Dorchester.
  • Started the planning of adding a much-needed elevator at Brighton House, one of GBCGAC’s senior centers.