Thursday, February 26, 2026, 10 a.m. (Boston time), Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
Hearing on Docket #0287
Committee: Human Services Committee
The Human Services Committee, chaired by Councilor Murphy, held a hearing on Docket 0287 regarding senior programming and services across Boston, sponsored by Councilors Murphy and Flynn. Age Strong Commissioner Emily Shea and Deputy Commissioner Corinne Corrado presented on the growth of the older adult population, new programming sites, grantmaking, and partnerships, while BCYF Director of Operations Eddie McGuire reported increased older adult participation at community centers. Councilors asked about gaps in senior centers across districts, scams targeting elders, outreach to communities of color and public housing residents, fuel assistance, snow removal, and data on equitable access. No votes were taken; the matter was discussed and the docket was adjourned.
7:21 Good morning everyone.
7:23 Um, for the record my name is
7:25 Erin Murphy, at-large city
7:26 councilor and I am the chair
7:27 of the City Council committee
7:29 on human services formerly
7:31 known as strong women families
7:32 and communities.
7:35 Today is February 26th, 2026
7:38 and the exact time is 10:07
7:39 a.m..
7:40 This hearing is being recorded
7:40 .
7:43 It is also being live
7:44 streamed@boston.gov backslash
7:47 City Council dash tv and
7:48 broadcast on xfinity channel
7:52 eight, rcn channel 82 fios
7:53 channel 964.
7:56 Written comments May be sent to
8:00 the committee email at c c h
8:01 dhs@boston.gov and will be made
8:03 part of the record and
8:04 available to all councilors.
8:06 Public testimony will be taken
8:08 at the end of this hearing.
8:09 Individuals will be called on
8:11 in the order in which they
8:12 signed up and we'll have two
8:13 minutes to testify.
8:15 If you are interested in
8:17 testifying in person, please
8:18 add your name to the sign up
8:20 sheet near the door of the
8:22 chamber and if you are tuning
8:24 in and looking to testify
8:26 virtually, you can email
8:27 central staff liaison megan
8:32 kavanaugh that is meg
8:34 anchorvale and a boston.gov.
8:37 For the link in your name will
8:38 be added to the list.
8:42 So today's hearing is on docket
8:44 0287 order for a hearing
8:46 regarding senior programing and
8:48 services across Boston.
8:51 This matter was sponsored by
8:53 myself and councilor Flynn and
8:55 was referred to the committee
8:58 of human services on February
8:59 4th 2024.
9:01 We are joined today by
9:07 councilor Flynn and we have um
9:09 before we introduce the panel,
9:11 um, if you would like
9:12 councilor Flynn to start with
9:12 an opening statement.
9:17 Thank you.
9:18 Councilor councilor Murphy,
9:22 chair Murphy for bringing this
9:23 important hearing forward.
9:27 I want to also thank the panel
9:29 for being here and for their
9:32 work, um, throughout the city
9:35 on supporting seniors and
9:36 ensuring equal access for
9:38 seniors across across Boston
9:39 across massachusetts as well.
9:42 Really um, have respect for all
9:44 three of these people I know
9:45 you'll informally introduce
9:46 them in a second.
9:50 Um, Boston as we all know, is
9:52 home to a large population
9:54 of older adults who rely on
9:57 city services, community based
9:59 programing, trusted partners to
10:01 remain healthy, connected and
10:04 able to age in place in the
10:06 city provides exceptional
10:07 senior focused programing and
10:09 services through the age strong
10:10 commission that used to be
10:11 called the elderly commission.
10:16 Um effectively managed um by
10:18 emily show does a tremendous
10:20 job um but her her team
10:23 provides education wellness
10:24 programing, social engagement
10:27 and support services for older
10:28 residents.
10:32 Um program is also delivered
10:33 through the Boston center for
10:34 youth and families.
10:36 Uh they play a critical role
10:38 throughout throughout the city
10:39 as well.
10:41 Um I had a chance to talk
10:43 briefly this morning to chief
10:45 now so I want to recognize the
10:46 bc wife team.
10:50 Um, for for all their important
10:52 work and and to recognize Ed
10:54 mcguire and the work he does
10:55 throughout the city as well.
10:57 Um, through community centers,
10:58 neighborhood based facilities
11:00 that serve as important access
11:02 points for older adults.
11:07 Um, again, I'm here to learn
11:09 from you and how we can support
11:13 ,um, our seniors including my
11:16 elderly parents that, um, are
11:18 still active but they're in
11:19 their late 80s but they love
11:21 going to the south Boston
11:23 public library and interacting
11:25 with the library staff and
11:26 their neighbors in south
11:26 Boston.
11:29 But seniors are, um, a want
11:30 seniors want to be part of the
11:31 community.
11:32 They are part of the community.
11:34 Many of them are veterans as
11:34 well.
11:35 Many of disabled.
11:38 Um, but Boston is a home for a
11:40 large number of seniors and we
11:41 we respect them.
11:44 We respect their contributions.
11:47 Um, also seniors and public
11:48 housing developments
11:50 developments are important to
11:50 me.
11:53 I represent the largest number
11:54 of residents living in public
11:56 housing of any district
11:56 council.
11:59 So I have a strong focus and
12:01 um, identification with public
12:02 housing tenants.
12:04 Um, but again want to say thank
12:07 you to the um to the bc wife
12:10 team, the eight strong team and
12:12 ethos I know ethos plays an
12:13 incredible role as well
12:13 throughout the city.
12:15 Um, Madam chair, thank you for
12:17 giving me an extra minute to,
12:18 um, talk about, um, what's
12:19 important to me.
12:20 Thank you.
12:23 And thank you for always
12:25 advocating for our seniors.
12:28 Many of us see your parents.
12:30 You must eddie in the
12:31 neighborhood still active when
12:33 reminding us I think my own
12:34 parents one of the reasons I
12:36 filed this hearing order um,
12:37 like council at Flynn, my
12:41 parents are no older and the
12:43 need for, um, you know,
12:45 connection and services is so
12:47 important and this is my fifth
12:48 year here on the council.
12:50 I have filed and held similar
12:52 hearing orders but last year we
12:54 did file a hearing order on,
12:55 you know, kind of gaps across
12:57 the city specifically that
12:58 because lots of neighborhoods
13:00 want to have like a building,
13:02 you know a senior center.
13:05 We know you know brighton
13:07 charlestown has one but we know
13:09 that those singular buildings
13:10 aren't the only place where our
13:13 seniors find services and also
13:14 your department.
13:16 Although you work you have to
13:17 work closely with so many other
13:18 city departments.
13:18 Right.
13:20 So thank you eddie for being
13:22 here from you know, dcf.
13:25 But last week council Flynn and
13:26 I were at a hearing with david
13:28 leonard in the library and one
13:30 positive thing many positive
13:31 things came out of it.
13:32 But one good thing was how
13:34 they've added a staff to really
13:36 address senior programing and a
13:38 staff person who's addressing,
13:39 you know, youth and family
13:40 programing across all of our
13:42 branches because as you know
13:43 people go to community centers,
13:45 our residents go to our
13:46 libraries, go to our senior
13:48 centers if there's one in their
13:48 community.
13:50 But we do hear you know, that
13:51 there are gaps across the city.
13:54 So how are we leaning on other
13:56 city departments to make sure
13:58 that all communities have it?
13:59 And the hearing we held last
14:00 year and I know I spoke
14:02 directly with to you about this
14:06 emily is it was it was held um
14:09 in west roxbury which wonderful
14:10 strong senior community that's
14:12 been advocating a lot for you
14:14 know, their need for a senior
14:14 center.
14:16 But I didn't want it to just be
14:17 focused on one neighborhood
14:19 because the bigger story is
14:20 like where where do we have
14:20 gaps?
14:22 Where where do we need to fill
14:22 in?
14:24 So looking forward to that.
14:26 You know, information from both
14:27 of you on how we can make sure
14:30 that every neighborhood, every
14:31 senior feels like they can you
14:33 know, is it ten minutes walk to
14:35 or you know, just have some
14:37 sense of equal opportunities
14:39 .
14:39 for our seniors across the city
14:40 So thank you for being here.
14:42 I'll formally first I'll um
14:44 introduce and say we've been
14:45 joined by councilor FitzGerald
14:46 .
14:47 So we're just starting with
14:48 opening statements if you'd
14:49 like to go council fisher.
14:51 Uh, no.
14:52 Thank you.
14:53 I apologize for the tardiness.
14:55 Uh, thank you all for being
14:55 here.
14:57 Uh, commissioner shea, I
14:58 understand we all want to hear
14:59 that sometimes too, so I hope
15:01 it wasn't too hard.
15:04 Um, but well worth it.
15:05 Uh, look forward to the
15:05 conversation.
15:06 Thank you.
15:06 Chair.
15:07 Thank you.
15:09 So today we've been joined
15:11 by emily shea, the commissioner
15:13 of the strong commission.
15:14 Corinne corrado.
15:18 Corrado I'm not sure your title
15:20 um, the deputy commissioner
15:21 deputy commissioner should know
15:21 that.
15:23 So the deputy and the
15:24 commissioner from a strong
15:25 thank you for both being here
15:27 and also eddie mcguire who is
15:29 bcp.
15:29 the director of operations for
15:31 So if you'd like to start with
15:32 some opening statements and
15:34 then we'll ask some questions
15:34 that be great.
15:35 Sure.
15:35 Great.
15:38 Um, so uh, thank you so much
15:39 for having us here and
15:41 councilor Flynn, I'll just say
15:42 that I saw your dad last time I
15:43 was in the south Boston
15:44 library.
15:46 there.
15:46 So he does like to to hang out
15:47 Um, but good morning.
15:50 council.
15:50 Uh, Madam chair, members of the
15:51 Um, thank you for the
15:53 opportunity to be here today
15:55 and thank you for highlighting
15:56 this important issue.
15:58 My name is emily shea and I
16:00 serve as a strong commissioner
16:01 and I have corinne with me.
16:03 Corinne credo who's our deputy
16:03 commissioner.
16:06 of her.
16:06 Um, corinne, uh, as part
16:10 Role oversees, um, uh, our
16:11 events and programs team which
16:13 is led by tyisha jones horner.
16:15 Um, it's an amazing team and
16:17 they're doing so many different
16:17 things.
16:18 So corinne is here.
16:21 Um, uh, just if there are, uh,
16:23 kind of detailed questions that
16:25 that I don't know um, hopefully
16:26 one of us can answer all
16:27 of your questions.
16:30 Um, but, uh, boston's older
16:32 adult population is growing
16:34 rapidly as I know you all know
16:36 from 88,000 residents over the
16:41 age of 60 in 2010 to more than
16:42 130,000 today an increase
16:45 of just 48 of an increase
16:47 of 48% in just 15 years.
16:49 And um, it's continuing to grow
16:50 as well.
16:52 Um, it should be growing
16:53 through at least 2050.
16:56 And this demographic shift
16:57 underscores the urgency
16:58 of expanding resources and
17:00 services so that older adults
17:02 can age with dignity, security
17:03 and opportunity.
17:05 Well, there are many pieces to
17:07 the puzzle of healthy aging.
17:09 Staying active and socially
17:10 connected is an important part
17:10 of the picture.
17:13 This is not only supported by
17:16 data but also what we hear loud
17:18 and clear from older residents
17:19 across Boston neighborhoods.
17:21 And I know that you all hear
17:21 this too.
17:24 Um, that is why the city's goal
17:26 is to ensure that every older
17:28 adult in Boston has access to
17:30 welcoming inclusive spaces that
17:33 promote physical health, social
17:34 connection, artistic
17:35 expression, lifelong learning
17:36 and overall wellness.
17:39 H strong uses a multi-pronged
17:41 approach towards programing
17:43 that include senior centers,
17:45 citywide programing, signature
17:47 events, partnerships and
17:49 grantmaking and I'm proud to
17:50 share that this past year has
17:53 been especially exciting for
17:54 advancing our programing goals.
17:57 I want to personally thank you
17:59 all and City Council for adding
18:03 an additional $200,000 to our
18:05 um to our budget last year as
18:06 an eight strong investment in
18:07 the final f y 26 budget.
18:10 We've used that specifically
18:11 for programing.
18:15 Um, this funding allowed us to
18:16 significantly expand
18:18 opportunities for older adults
18:19 to stay engaged and connected
18:21 in the community on an ongoing
18:21 basis.
18:25 In 2025 we activated five new
18:27 eight strong operated
18:29 programing spaces across the
18:29 city.
18:31 Um I think you've heard this
18:33 before but just to to tell them
18:35 uh, the do it center in roxbury
18:37 spontaneous celebrations in jp
18:39 the holland community center
18:41 and commons square library in
18:43 dorchester and union church in
18:44 the south end.
18:46 So we picked those because
18:47 they're kind of filling some
18:49 of the gaps that we see in the
18:51 city each offer and they're
18:53 each offering now two days
18:54 of programing every week.
18:57 Um we're also grateful to have
19:01 received um, $325,000 in state
19:03 earmarks, um, from our fabulous
19:05 state representatives.
19:07 Which has which have allowed us
19:09 to expand programing in already
19:12 active activated sites and also
19:14 in additional neighborhoods.
19:16 In addition, h strong operates
19:17 two senior centers in brighton
19:19 and east Boston that are
19:21 thriving active spaces.
19:23 I know you've all been to those
19:25 and um uh, councilor Murphy,
19:26 you were uh, dancing away there
19:27 at our mardi gras celebration
19:29 in brighton the other day.
19:31 Um, these centers remain
19:33 cornerstones of engagement and
19:34 community for older adults.
19:36 In fact, our vision is to
19:38 create that, um, type of space
19:40 in all Boston neighborhoods.
19:42 Together through these efforts
19:43 we have been able to provide
19:46 over 6000 hours of programing
19:47 at eight strong operated sites
19:49 across the city in this past
19:50 year.
19:52 And your investment helped to
19:53 ensure our ability to do this
19:53 work.
19:55 But our efforts go beyond
19:57 programing at eight strong
19:58 operated sites.
20:00 We continue to support special
20:02 programs at bc wyeth libraries
20:04 and other community
20:05 organizations while also
20:06 launching innovative
20:07 partnerships that introduce new
20:09 and enriching experiences to
20:10 older adults across the city.
20:13 These partnerships include
20:14 organizations like improv
20:16 asylum and Boston harbor
20:16 islands.
20:18 We are especially grateful to
20:20 partners like goddard house um
20:23 ,which since 2018 has made a
20:25 sustained investment in
20:26 sustaining creative aging
20:27 programs and expanding
20:28 meaningful cultural
20:30 opportunities for older older
20:31 people.
20:33 Through this partnership in
20:35 2025 we expanded our pool
20:37 of partners committed to
20:39 creative aging principles,
20:41 training an additional 25
20:43 teaching artists and 15 new
20:45 community based organizations.
20:47 These partners are now grown
20:49 equipped with tools to design
20:50 and deliver inclusive,
20:52 culturally grounded experiences
20:54 to older adults and we plan to
20:56 train another cohort next month
20:58 ,further expanding our reach
21:00 across boston's arts community.
21:02 Through this initiative, we've
21:04 also built strong partnerships
21:05 with leading cultural
21:06 institutions to bring high
21:08 quality, enriching experiences
21:10 to older adults from
21:12 storytelling classes hosted at
21:14 the mfa to art gallery exhibits
21:17 and hands on classes at the ica
21:20 and access to performances such
21:21 as the Boston pops and black
21:22 nativity.
21:24 These opportunities deepen
21:26 cultural engagement and expand