BBH News: July 2018

On, July 25th, Governor Baker and Undersecretary Janelle Chan of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced their 2018 annual affordable rental housing funding awards and B’nai B’rith Housing’s Phase 2 of The Coolidge at Sudbury was one of the 19 funding recipients! We are incredibly honored and grateful to have this commitment from the state.

Funding from the DHCD is an exciting next step bringing BBH closer to breaking ground on Phase 2 of The Coolidge. The new development, which will be located next to the fully-occupied Phase 1 property, will include an additional 56 affordable units for seniors. The building will feature common spaces such as a meeting room, library, and fitness center. In keeping with BBH’s high quality, service-enriched housing model, residents will have access to an on-site resident service coordinator who will continue to partner closely with Sudbury area senior-service agencies to promote wellness, health, and educational programs for the all the residents of the building.

Many thanks to all of you who sent letters of support included in this funding application – we couldn’t have gotten here without you! And we also want to thank the Town of Sudbury for its ongoing commitment to providing a quality, affordable option to area seniors, many of whom have lived in the Sudbury area for their entire lives.

In the next few months we will be announcing when we will be breaking ground on Phase 2. Look for more updates soon and thank you again to all of our friends and supporters.

What separates BBH’s senior housing from other affordable housing models is its commitment to building a community for its residents. Providing on-site resident service coordinators, ensuring access to fitness facilities, and promoting health and wellness are priorities. But bringing our residents together is the key to fighting isolation and depression in older adults and this is why our the social events we host are so important. On Friday July 20th, the Covenant House properties hosted its annual Summer Barbeque. Staff members and their children, served Covenant House residents plates piled high with hot dogs, burgers, grilled chicken, potato salad and coleslaw. Tables were set up under shady umbrellas where everyone enjoyed listening to and dancing to live music by The New Wolverine Jazz Band. The Summer Barbeque is a festive and joyous celebration of the season and of the diverse community that calls the Covenant House properties home.

“Clone Julie & Peggy! They go out of their way to do things to help residents and make this place feel like home. They truly care about people.” ~ Resident, The Coolidge at Sudbury

At BBH, we pride ourselves on our award-winning service-enriched senior housing, but we couldn’t do it without our amazing on-site Resident Service Coordinators and property staff. This month, we are using the enews to say ‘thank you!’ to Peggy Golden and Julie Benoit, of our management and service staff from The Coolidge at Sudbury.

Peggy Golden, who came to The Coolidge with close to three decades of experience as a property manager, was immediately struck by the high quality facilities and friendly residents of The Coolidge. “It’s rewarding to be part of a place that invests in the quality of life of its residents and gives them a home they can take pride in.” Fostering camaraderie is paramount to Peggy’s work and she enjoys helping residents access the services they need to thrive.

Julie Benoit has taken to her role at The Coolidge like a fish to water! With a professional degree in social work and experience that includes being a recreation director at a large retirement community, Julie strives to help residents “live with their best quality of life possible.” Julie provides a listening ear and steadfast support for residents while always working to keep them engaged in the community by maintaining a robust fitness and activities calendar.

Everyone at BBH is so pleased that both Julie and Peggy find their work at The Coolidge fulfilling and are incredibly thankful to them for their contact efforts to improve the lives of residents at The Coolidge.