Please join us in welcoming Gina to the MCC team! Gina started in November and we are very happy to have her on board as Administrative Assistant. Here's a little bit about her:

Gina was born in the Azores on the island of São Jorge and came to the U.S. when she was eight years old. She has two sons and is newly married to her husband, Daniel. She loves to read and goes to the beach in her free time. Gina also does a lot of volunteering, specifically around the holidays when she and a group get together to make cards for the local nursing homes and veterans.

This week is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (HHAW). Across the U.S., fundraising efforts will take place to raise awareness and to benefit a variety of programs aimed at tackling this problem. Our community, like many in the United States, is reporting an increasing number of individuals seeking out assistance through local programs. According to this recent article in the Salem News, the increased need could be due to a variety of unprecedented circumstances, including but not limited to record breaking inflation levels.

Luckily, there are local non-profit organizations like ‘Making Ends Meet’ that are working hard to assist families in need. The social services department at the Marblehead Counseling Center partners with this organization and others to identify families and to counteract hunger and homelessness within our community.

Our short list of resources for food is below. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please seek out these programs or reach out to our social services department (info@marbleheadcounseling.org). If you’re not currently in need of assistance, these facilities always need new volunteers.

• Marblehead Food Pantry - contact jfparker@gmail.com for more information
• The Salem Pantry - The Market (No income/residency restrictions)
• Haven from Hunger
• Project Bread
• Food Jewish Family Services
• Community Meals (LifeBridge)

Amongst the joys of the season, this time of the year can be harder for those already struggling with their mental health. Loneliness around the holidays can negatively impact all of us, but especially those in the elderly population (generally recognized as 60 and over). MCC clinician, Elizabeth Cochran, LICSW shares some insight and tips based on her wealth of experience working in the community.

For older people, the holidays can mean facing a multitude of different factors that have changed since days passed. Cochran says that for those experiencing loneliness this holiday season, there are small ways to combat it. Her suggestion is to keep in mind what matters, but be open to new ways to get there. For instance, cook one of your favorite dishes if cooking them all is overwhelming. See if you can meet with family members in smaller groups, which can be less overwhelming. Have friends over for a festive potluck lunch. Attend Temple over Zoom instead of making the journey in person. Whatever it is that captures the spirit of the tradition but makes it far less overwhelming is a good work around.

Cochran imparts a few final words to the families of those with aging relatives. She shares that it’s important to keep in mind people’s capabilities and desires. Work around what feels good for your older family members and remember to communicate. Ask what traditions are important that they see continue and focus on welcoming them for those smaller celebrations/moments. Finally, we all want to see traditions we love continue in our family, so honor those requests and try your best to incorporate or keep those specific ones alive. After all, the season is all about love, appreciation, giving and joy.