Special to the Record
Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) recently celebrated five decades of partnership with the City of Chelsea. To commemorate its 50th anniversary this year, MVES is hosting special events in each of the 11 communities it serves. The non-profit agency hosted festivities at the Chelsea Senior Center on August 21.
About 75 residents enjoyed a barbecue lunch and dessert, raffle drawings and giveaway items including tote bags, color-changing cups and cookies. Attendees also perused tables sharing some of the services and resources available to them through MVES. The event culminated with a dance party, with guests joined on the dance floor by members of the MVES team.
Mystic Valley Elder Services CEO Lisa Gurgone thanked the City of Chelsea and its Council on Elder Affairs for their ongoing collaboration and commitment to building an age-friendly city. Gurgone also noted that MVES has grown because of its partnerships — the non-profit began in 1975 with a handful of staff and now serves over 20,000 people in 11 communities with a staff of over 300.
Mystic Valley Elder Services offers many programs at the Senior Center, making them more accessible to Chelsea residents. These include technology education courses, insurance guidance and Healthy Aging classes. MVES also organizes and serves the daily lunches that help the Senior Center serve as a community gathering place for the city’s older adults. (For more about programs and supports through MVES, call 781-324-7705 or visit www.mves.org.)
The Senior Center staff play a critical role in ensuring older adults and people with disabilities are aware of the support available to them. They frequently refer individuals to MVES for services such as Meals on Wheels and Home Care.
MVES would like to thank Director of Chelsea Elder Services Geraldine Portillo and her dedicated team, Guardian Angel Senior Care which sponsored the event, and the residents of Chelsea.
Nominate a Community All-Star or attend Legacy50
Mystic Valley Elder Services’ event series with local Councils on Aging is just one way the agency is marking its 50th anniversary. MVES invites residents to nominate an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to aging in the community. Nominees for the MVES Community All-Star Award can be any age, as long as they have contributed to supporting older adults in one of the 11 communities MVES serves.
Additionally, MVES will host a gala event in Spring 2026, the Legacy50 Summit, which will include a nationally recognized anti-ageism leader as keynote speaker. To nominate someone for the MVES Community All-Star Award or learn more about upcoming 50th events, visit www.mves.org/mves50. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Questions may also be directed to the MVES Development Department at 781-388-4802 or [email protected].