Many of you have been reading this column every week for more years than you can imagine. Betty Berry has served as a community expert and a vital source of advice and guidance. For those of you that follow Betty, she has recently had a transition in her life. Betty has officially retired from her job of 26 years at Senior Concerns and has moved to be near family in New Jersey. After so many years working in our community as a Senior Advocate and authoring this weekly column, Betty feels like family to many of us. She will be missed as she leaves a legacy of caring, knowledge and strength for our senior community.
I have worked with Betty closely over the past few years and learned a lot from her. I know no one can fill her shoes, but I hope that I can take over the role of penning this column with my expertise in a way that honors the legacy Betty has built.
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Martha Shapiro and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. After earning my Master’s degree in Social Welfare from UCLA, I have been working in the field of senior services for over a decade. As the current Director for Programs at Senior Concerns, my daily responsibilities include managing the Senior Advocacy Services, Caregiver Resource Center and the Adult Day Program. I work with people and families every day who are navigating the complex issues that come with aging and caregiving. It is my goal to make their lives a little bit easier and a little less stressful, by providing the information and resources to support them in their daily lives.
I look forward to using this column to provide greater reach into our community and share the information that I have learned through my training and daily work. Please contact me with the questions you want answered and provide me feedback as I navigate this new role. I will be relying on you and your valuable input to help me shape this column to be as meaningful and useful as it can be.
I can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org. Thank you for trusting me to carry on this column. Thank you to Betty Berry for all she has provided to our community. Her imprint will carry on in all our hearts.
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Happenings:
Adult Coloring: Winter Theme
December 20, 2019 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA Relax with friends and other coloring enthusiasts on in Materials are provided.
Oxnard Senior Services Holiday Party
Friday, December 20th 10am – 2:00pm
South Oxnard Center: 200 East Bard Road, Oxnard, CA
Tickets are $12. There Will be a raffle, DJ, dancing and lunch. For more information call 805-385-8019
Free Community Holiday Dinner at Temple Adat Elohim Thousand Oaks
Wednesday, December 25, 11:30am – 2:00pm
Temple Adat Elohim: 2420 E Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Temple Adat Elohim invites the community to help spread the word about its 25th annual Christmas dinner. Free and all are welcome.
