An apartment building which recently opened at 108 Centre Street includes 54 affordable units for seniors, and some of them are still available. The building, built and operated by the housing nonprofit Hebrew SeniorLife as part of its broader Center Communities of Brookline complex, opened earlier this year. It features 54 one-bedroom apartments designed specifically… Continue reading New affordable senior housing building opens on Centre Street, with apartments still available
Category: Seniors
On board the MBTA’s 51 bus, riders find community and convenience, with room to grow
On a 39 degree evening, Gang Zheng waits for the MBTA’s 51 bus at the Reservoir terminal. She is on her way home to Brookline from her job as a researcher at a pharmaceutical company in Cambridge. It is the final leg of her journey home, after first taking the Red Line and Green Line… Continue reading On board the MBTA’s 51 bus, riders find community and convenience, with room to grow
See inside the Newbury of Brookline, a new high-end senior living development on Fisher Hill
The Newbury of Brookline is now open. The new senior living community run by the company Kisco, on the former site of Newbury College, held a grand opening ceremony on its 190,000 square foot campus last week. Its 160 units, which start at $10,000 a month and include apartments for independent living, assisted living and… Continue reading See inside the Newbury of Brookline, a new high-end senior living development on Fisher Hill
News in brief: New rental assistance available, town gets $100k for climate plan, Goddard House plans an upgrade
The local nonprofit Brookline Community Development Corporation has brought back its emergency rental assistance program. For the second round of the program, which first launched in late 2023, BCDC will provide one-time payments of up to $5,000 directly to landlords on behalf of eligible renters who are behind on rent. The goal of the program… Continue reading News in brief: New rental assistance available, town gets $100k for climate plan, Goddard House plans an upgrade
News in brief: Town hires new Senior Center director, calls for students to design next voting sticker
The town has hired Emily Williams as the new director of its Council on Aging and Senior Center. Williams, who currently leads the Department of Elder Affairs in the town of Bridgewater, will start in the position on March 24. She is coming in to replace Ruthann Dobek, who retired this year after 22 years… Continue reading News in brief: Town hires new Senior Center director, calls for students to design next voting sticker
School Committee approves new literacy curriculum for K-5 students
The Public Schools of Brookline will adopt a new literacy curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grades, following a unanimous School Committee vote in favor of a recommendation made by the district’s educators. Fishtank Learning, which meets all nine Massachusetts criteria for “high quality instructional materials,” will replace outdated curriculum in grades three, four and five… Continue reading School Committee approves new literacy curriculum for K-5 students
By grocery shopping for seniors, Brookline teens bridge a generational gap
Approaching the deli counter at Stop & Shop on Harvard Street, Alaina Bodine, 16, asks for the “usual.” The quarter-pounds of turkey and cheese are not for herself or her family. They’re for Miriam Bronstein, 66, a Brookline senior for whom she grocery shops every week. Along with classmates Meeka Dagieli and Priscila Hill, also… Continue reading By grocery shopping for seniors, Brookline teens bridge a generational gap
Town Meeting preview: Zoning changes aim to curb demolitions, increase housing
When Brookline’s Town Meeting begins on Nov. 19, elected members will consider several proposals that could change zoning rules for large portions of the town. Wondering what Town Meeting even is? Start here: our new guide to Brookline town government. Article 7, put forth by Brookline’s Planning and Community Development Department, proposes to set a… Continue reading Town Meeting preview: Zoning changes aim to curb demolitions, increase housing
Blessing of the F(l)eet honors mobility and community
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters took center stage at an event in Brookline last week, a “Blessing of the F(l)eet” that celebrated the mobility devices that help people get around. The lobby was festive with chatter and laughter as attendees entered, each moving at his or her own pace. A few rows of chairs were… Continue reading Blessing of the F(l)eet honors mobility and community
In new animated film, Alex Salsberg highlights multigenerational friendships in Brookline
When 70-year-old Diane Klein met 23-year-old Caroline Dugan, they “just clicked” as friends, according to Klein. “The generational gap didn’t seem to matter at all,” Klein said, noting that she now has a relationship with Dugan’s fiancé as well as her mom, who lives in California. “It’s kind of brought me a new family, which… Continue reading In new animated film, Alex Salsberg highlights multigenerational friendships in Brookline
‘An irreplaceable jewel’: Ruthann Dobek plans to retire after four decades advocating for Brookline’s seniors
When Ruthann Dobek announced her retirement at a May meeting at Town Hall, she was greeted with a standing ovation. The 64-year-old Dobek has spent the past 41 years working and advocating for Brookline’s senior population, first as a social worker for the Council on Aging and for the past 22 years as director of… Continue reading ‘An irreplaceable jewel’: Ruthann Dobek plans to retire after four decades advocating for Brookline’s seniors
News in brief: Lottery for senior affordable housing, town seeks input on brand
Lottery for senior affordable housing units on Centre Street Hebrew SeniorLife, a senior healthcare and community living nonprofit, announced that it will be holding a lottery for 54 affordable units at its new development at 108 Centre Street in Brookline, which is expected to open this winter. Applicants or a member of their household must… Continue reading News in brief: Lottery for senior affordable housing, town seeks input on brand
Senior living project on former Newbury College site changes hands
A senior living development in the works on the former Newbury College site has been taken over by a new company, Kisco Senior Living. Balfour Senior Living, which had been set to manage the new community once construction finishes next year, is becoming an affiliate of Kisco, according to a recent press release from the… Continue reading Senior living project on former Newbury College site changes hands