Brookline, MA— Goddard House celebrated its 175th anniversary as a groundbreaking senior living organization and innovator in the creative aging field with a special event last week that brought together residents, staff, board members, community partners, and state and local officials to pay tribute to its rich history and enduring leadership – and to announce the exciting upcoming re-envisioning of the Goddard House campus.
During the celebration, special guests Massachusetts State Representative Tommy Vitolo, Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Jodi Breidel, Boston AgeStrong Commissioner, Emily Shea, and the Dean of Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UMass Boston, Bo Fernhall, each reflected on the organization’s extraordinary journey and meaningful impact on the field of healthy aging. Vitolo presented a citation to Candace Cramer, Goddard House President & CEO, from the MA House of Representatives, congratulating Goddard House on 175 years of dedicated service to caring for and supporting older adults.
Cramer spoke about Goddard House’s forward-thinking approach, emphasizing the importance of remaining a leader in the field of healthy aging. “Our Visioning Campaign will launch a major renovation project on our assisted living campus in 2025 that will not only enhance our physical environment but also strengthen our capacity to deliver exceptional, person-centered care and innovative programming within our senior living community and beyond,” she shared. “This is about building a future that honors our history while embracing the next generation of older adults.”
One of the event highlights was the recognition of Goddard House’s assisted living staff, several of whom have served the community for over 20 years. Goddard House is consistently ranked as a premier employer, including being named #2 on the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work and earning Great Place to Work® certification. Goddard House prioritizes staff recognition events and provides scholarships to support personal and professional growth, both within and beyond the assisted living community.
Also featured was Goddard House Community Initiatives (GHCI). Created in 2017 to share Goddard House’s creative energy, GHCI is an innovative and growing social enterprise that brings the joy and fellowship of the arts to under-resourced older adults living in Greater Boston. Through professionally taught creative aging programs in art, music, and other forms of creative expression, participants are empowered to thrive creatively while fostering social connections and building community.
Renowned for its high quality of care and innovative initiatives, Goddard House made history again in 2023 as the first senior living community in Massachusetts to achieve SAGECare LGBTQ+ Platinum Certification, underscoring its strong commitment to inclusivity and diverse community care.
Founded in 1849, Goddard House is the oldest elder care organization in Massachusetts and the third oldest in the nation. Named after Matilda Goddard, an industrious entrepreneur known for her philanthropy, the nonprofit remains true to its roots by continuing to serve its residents and the greater Boston community with compassion and creativity.
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Goddard House embraces the aging experience for seniors living in the Boston area by operating a high-quality assisted living community and by creating innovative creative aging programs which support our need for purpose, engagement, autonomy, and choice as we age. Learn more at www.GoddardHouse.org.
