Seniors Foster ‘Community Connections’ through CATH

May 22, 2025
• The Center at the Heights revamped a pre-pandemic program aimed at providing local seniors company and assistance.

Older adults in Needham seeking an extra helping hand or simply companionship now have a new program that facilitates both. Community Connections, which launched in January, aims to meet seniors’ needs by sending out volunteers for specific services, such as grocery runs, errands or other odd jobs.

The program revamps the CATH’s old Friendly Visitor program, a pre-pandemic service that paired volunteers with seniors for weekly meetings.

Seniors’ current needs have broadened in recent years, with more residents seeking “one-off supports” that social workers can’t always address, said Jessica Moss, the CATH’s assistant director of counseling and volunteers. Technology provides alternative forms of connection, Moss said, but some work must be in-person.

“There’s no remote way to change a light bulb. There’s no remote way to walk a dog when someone had a hip replacement, things like that,” Moss said. “Certain things are always going to be in person, and we want our community members to know each other and have a way to support each other, and that’s kind of where this was born.”

The program’s roll-out has been slow — they now have about five consistent volunteers — but the need appears to be great, CATH social worker and program facilitator Jess Rice said. Volunteers can meet with local residents regularly, and others are called upon when needed, Rice said.

A friendly smile or familiar face goes a long way to making seniors feel less isolated, Rice said. The program also provides companionship both for older residents and for their younger counterparts, who may not have an older adult in their life.

“I think that companionship has become something that’s really, really essential in our community, connecting neighbors with neighbors,” Rice said. “When a volunteer wants to go help someone, it makes them feel really good, and when someone has a visitor who’s really a positive experience, that’s really good.”

Rice said seniors have already shared their gratitude for the program, with one writing in part, “My heart is so full I can’t even begin to tell you how elated I am that your volunteer came to help us out.”

The CATH welcomes 250-300 daily visitors, Moss said, and through Community Connections, they strive to engage more residents that may not be able to physically visit the center.

Community Connections volunteers range in age and aren’t required to live in Needham, but program recipients must be Needham residents.

Pam Glass makes weekly visits with a Needham senior, sitting with her or taking short walks in the neighborhood. A therapist by training, Glass said socialization and making friends extends your lifespan, and coming off the pandemic, it’s important to help those who may be lonely.

“The senior told me that she spends most of her day just watching TV and not moving out of her chair if she didn’t have someone to visit with her, or to walk with her, or family members who come and see her,” Glass said. “So I think it’s really healthy overall to have someone to walk with or do something with.”

John Haydon is often called upon to change a light bulb, fix a leaky faucet, mow a lawn, mount a shelf and many things in between. The 82-year-old Needham resident, now retired, wanted to expand his social bubble by applying his skills to those in the community who need it, joining Community Connections to do so.

Haydon, who learned much of his handiwork prowess from his father, said helping his neighbors doesn’t feel like a chore.

“If you enjoy something, it’s never work,” Haydon said. “I think it’s very important, as we get older, to keep busy, and I think it’s equally as important to give back, and so something like this fits me to a T.”

Moss spoke to the benefits for both the seniors and the volunteers, who range in age. “Giving back and keeping busy” contribute to healthy aging, she said.

The CATH’s social work department also offers free eight-week mental health counseling, as well as case management and other logistical complications, such as receiving medication from the pharmacy and hailing rides.

As they expand their participants, Moss said they hope to create a self-perpetuating program run by the residents themselves.

“Our goal is for this program to eventually not be needed, because neighbors know each other. Instead of having to call a social worker, they can call the person next door or another member of the community to help them,” Moss said. “It’s a win-win, because I think Needham has a strong culture of volunteerism. I think it’s really a priority in this town among residents, and people want to know their neighbors, and they want to help.”