by Marty Blanchard
ROWLEY – As the new appointed Director of the Council on Aging, I have many hopes and aspirations for the COA. Older adults in Rowley make up a third of the town. With that being said, the Council on Aging should be a place that provides a plethora of resources. As new Director, I hope to expand the services and resources available through the COA, including connecting older adults with programs, educational opportunities, social activities, health and wellness resources, transportation assistance and other services that can help them live healthy, fulfilling and independent lives.
My goal for the Rowley COA is for it to be a place where every older adult feels welcome, heard, valued and supported. Our future is exciting. I look forward to listening to our community, learning what our older adults want and need and working with my staff to make the COA an even stronger resource for everyone.
For the past five years I served as Program Coordinator for the COA. I am a Rowley girl through and through. Although not considered a townie, I would say I come pretty close. My family moved to Rowley from Saugus in 1976. I was five and arrived just in time to start kindergarten at the Center School, now the Town Annex, where the COA is located. As new Director this is a true full circle moment for me. I can look out the windows of the Annex conference room and see the home I grew up in with my five sisters and brothers and my office is in the very room where I started my schooling. It is a dream come true.
I am proud and honored to continue to serve Rowley as Director for the Council on Aging. ♦
