The grant’s primary goal is to enhance remote participation, particularly for seniors who experience physical or mental health barriers that prevent them from attending in-person events. The plan includes integrating Zoom capabilities by the end of the year, allowing seniors to interact with instructors and participate in real time, thereby replicating the in-person experience as closely as possible. Instructors and community volunteers have been pivotal in expanding programming without additional financial burden, as many are willing to offer their services for free. This volunteer engagement has alleviated budgetary pressures, enabling a broader range of activities like music classes and fitness programs.

However, the hiring of instructors and interns for the tech initiative faced initial challenges, particularly with the onboarding process. To meet the grant’s spending deadline of March 31st, the council strategically reallocated funds from personnel to equipment purchases, allowing for immediate procurement of high-definition cameras and remote-control technology necessary for dynamic classes like yoga and fitness. The adjustments received timely approval, facilitating swift purchase order generation and ensuring the equipment’s prompt delivery.

The council also reported on the expansion of its social media outreach, noting significant traction with over 37,000 views and robust engagement metrics. This digital engagement complements their tech grant efforts, providing another platform for connecting with both registered seniors and the wider community. The center’s email newsletter has seen increased interest, with over 22 new subscribers and a substantial open rate.

In addition to digital initiatives, the meeting detailed the Gardner Senior Center’s extensive outreach efforts. The center received over 9,500 inbound and outbound calls, including Robo calls and individual outreach efforts totaling approximately 30,000 calls for 2024. These efforts aim to maintain strong connections with seniors, particularly those who have not visited the center recently. Outreach teams are tasked with contacting seniors who have been absent for two years or more, assessing their well-being, and identifying any challenges they may face, such as mobility or transportation barriers.

The Lifeline program’s transition from AOL Hospital to the senior center was another update. This program, crucial for providing emergency response services, is now managed by the center with support from the AAL Rotary Club. The collaboration includes troubleshooting and maintenance for subscribers. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in responder duties, which generally involve simple tasks like battery changes or device reconnections. While the council does not assume legal liability for the service, they ensure immediate response and support, contrasting with longer response times from external providers.

The meeting also touched on future planning, with discussions on upcoming events, budget processes, and program sustainability. The council is preparing for budget submissions to the mayor, with a structured timeline for approvals and recommendations. Concerns about the tech program’s sustainability post-grant were addressed, highlighting that the grant provides two years of funding for operational costs. Plans are in place to maintain and update Chromebooks, with each center equipped to manage ten devices.