Ben_Labonte

About six weeks ago, I started working 10 hours a week for Elder Services of Worcester (MA) as an LGBT peer worker. The job is funded under a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Most of my time has been spent getting a gay elder network up and running. Now we're beginning to get into outreach to isolated gay elders and their caregivers to connect them to services they have a right to but may be afraid to ask for. We will also be setting up some cultural competency trainings... (continue reading)

I have been accepted for a voluntary retirement/buyout offer by my employer. Now that it is public, I can post the results of that process here. The severance package includes a year's pay and a year's medical coverage, plus a 10 percent bonus. That allows me to get within a few months of full Social Security benefits and several months past when I reach full company pension benefits. I have spent 39 years with this employer, under three different owners. I have been in my present position for... (continue reading)

You may be wondering what Charley and I are doing holding two newborns in the picture I posted earlier this week. They certainly aren't ours. They are the twin babies of a couple we know who have accepted our offer to become honorary local grandpas. The couple's own parents and siblings live too far away to visit very often or to help out with child care or errands. So, once the babies get past the newborn stage, we'll be pitching in, giving mom and dad a break now and then. I'm holding Walter... (continue reading)