NEWBURYPORT – Despite living in what he called “darken times,” John Feehan, executive director of the YWCA, told a large crowd last week that abandoning the mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all “is not an option.”
At the YWCA’s 15th annual Engaging Communities luncheon, the focus was on improving housing opportunities for low-income elderly.
Dr. Annmary Connor, executive director of Amesbury Housing Authority, was named the community champion for her dedication to expanding affordable housing and supporting the most vulnerable community members.
And Lizbeth Heyer, who has been helping improve the lives of lower income households for 30 years, was the featured speaker. She works with 2Life Communities that provides housing for lower income elderly households.
Massachusetts, Heyer said, has the nation’s highest rates of nursing home placements because of the state’s high cost of housing and senior health care. As a result, she said, there is too much homelessness among the elderly.
“We can do better. We must do better,” Heyer said.
Heyer drew a strong round of applause when she told the crowd of predominantly women that in Massachusetts, men have a life expectancy of 77 years, while women can expect to live 81 years.
But if you are low income, she said, take off seven years. If you are African American or Hispanic, reduce that life expectancy by another five years.
Established in 1883 to help young women learn to thrive in the increasingly industrial world, the YWCA today serves people regardless of age or gender. Major programs include affordable housing, preschool education and school-age childcare, wellness, cancer support, aquatics, youth leadership development and racial justice.
The YWCA offers affordable housing at the Residences at Salisbury Square, YWCA Market Street Apartments, The YWCA Women’s Residence, Roof Over Head Collaborative and the Housing Choice Coalition.
The YWCA’s latest project is a 48-unit senior affordable housing project that is expected to open this spring. Many of the tenants are currently homeless and seniors with disabilities.
This YWCA Residences at Ingalls Court at 14 Ingalls Court in Methuen is designed to serve low-income seniors 62 years and over.
On the first floor, Element Care will offer a Program of All-inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE). Tenants who choose PACE will receive primary care, behavioral health, physical therapy and social services. It is one of the first projects in the country to combine affordable housing with PACE services.
The new building will be highly energy efficient, including having 320 solar panels on the roof which will produce almost a third of the energy needed to operate the building.
For more information, visit www.ywcanewburyport.org. ♦
