Annual Report 09 - Rogerson Communities

2009
r e p o r t o f t h e B o a r d C h a i r & P r e s i d e n t
Y O U N G & O L D
Rogerson Communities, One Florence Street, Boston, MA 02131 617.469.5800 www.rogerson.org
C O M E T O G E T H E R
to tell a S T O R Y about
how different T H E Y ’ R E N O T
I N A U G U S T O F 2 0 0 9,
the brainchild of Rogerson Overseer Erica Corsano,
Stuff Magazine’s Editorial Director and unceasing elder cheerleader, came
to life. The result was a unique ad campaign (and cousin video)
designed to tell the story of young and old, and how much common ground
they share. Elders living in Rogerson residences and young Boston
up-and-comers generously lent themselves to the project, and Stuff Magazine’s
Creative Director Mike Diskin volunteered his time and talent as the
OFFICERS
Paula Thier
Chair
Shelley M. Kaplan
Treasurer
Anne Marie Boursiquot King
Clerk
James F. Seagle, Jr.
President
DIRECTORS
Carolyn J. Campanelli
John E. Cupples
Lloyd C. Dahmen
Brit d’Arbeloff
John L. Hall, II
Ogden M. Hunnewell
Mary Joan Kakas
Shelley M. Kaplan
Gary P. Kearney, M.D.
Anne Marie Boursiquot King
Cecily O. Morse
Mary L. Ryan
Rulla Tamimi
Paula Thier
OVERSEERS
Nile L. Albright, M.D.
Daniel Bancroft
Patricia N. Burdick*
Robert D. Chellis
Lisa Clark
Christine F. Collins
Erica A. Corsano
Pat L. Cox*
Andrea d’Amato
Lawrence S. DiCara*
Paul S. Evans*
Ellen Feingold
Terry S. Field
John H. Finley, III*
Susan A. Flanagan, Ph.D.
Herbert P. Gleason*
Morris Gray*
Elizabeth M. Hanson
Sarah D. Hurlbut
Peter M. Keating*
Bonlyn A. McBride
Barbara J. McNeil, M.D., Ph.D.
Randace Rauscher Moore
Bettina A. Norton
Sarah B. Porter*
Joanne Prince
Rebekah Richardson*
Sarita Rogers
Jeffrey W. Sacks
Esther Schlorholtz
Joseph L. Serafini*
Robin E. Sherman
Gordon H. Silver
Merlin Southwick
William C. Stone*
Robert Tuchmann
Georgiana K. White
Peter Zane
*Former Director
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
James F. Seagle, Jr.
President
Michael J. Keller
Vice President, Finance
Michael Lerner
Vice President,
Real Estate Development
Sandra M. McWhirter
Vice President, Administration
Anne Morton Smith
Vice President,
Development &
Community Relations
Laurie N. Trilling
Vice President, Operations
PROGRAMS & PROPERTIES
UNDER MANAGEMENT
Beacon House
Carleton House
Community at Pond Meadow
Council Tower
The Dana Home
Elder Assistance Fund
Farnsworth House
Florence House
Hale Barnard Services
Hill House
Joy Street Residence
Longfellow House
Peter Faneuil House
Pond Home
Residences at Snow Place
Rogerson House
Rogerson House Day Program
Rogerson Brookline
Adult Day Health Program
Rogerson Egleston
Adult Day Health Program
Rogerson Roslindale
Adult Day Health Program
Rogerson Roslindale
Dementia Day Program
Rogerson Fitness FIRST SM
Roslindale House
Sophia Snow House
Spencer House
Springhouse
Walnut House
R O G E R S O N C O M M U N I T I E S
A N N U A L R E P O R T
L O O K I N G
B A C K ,
t h i n k i n g
A H E A D
2 0 0 9
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody’s help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I’m not so self-assured,
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors.
—Help, The Beatles
For over 149 years, Rogerson Communities’ goal – and passion – has been to offer
low-income elders the help they need, when they need it. Have we succeeded? 2009
was a challenging year, for us and others around the country, but success can be measured
in many ways. Although we have traditionally used this letter to recap Rogerson’s high
points of the past year in our own words, this year we’d like to use the words of those we
serve to tell a small part of the 2009 story:
“I now have a bit of my life back
every week. I can recharge and
take better care of my father.”
Roy, son of a day program participant
“I find peace here. I’m lonely at home,
but at Rogerson I’m not lonely.”
Mercilia, day program participant
“ We have a hall walking group now, and then
we do our stretching exercises together
in the community room.”
Anna, Roge rson resident
“My rent, utilities included, is $237
a month. I can afford that. Where else
in Boston can I live for that?”
John, Roge rson resident
“I am stronger, more balanced, and I walk better.”
Christopher, Roge rson Fitness FIRST SM participant
“At home I would be lying down
wishing I could do something, But
being here makes me feel bright.”
Margaret, day program participant
“If we didn’t have
a place to come to like
this, what would we do?”
Yolanda, Roge rson resident
Each day, our residents and day program participants are getting what they need: a safe
and affordable place to live, expert medical attention, daily support. Just as importantly,
they are getting what they didn’t know they needed: friendship, motivation, joy. More
so than any other tangible financial milestone, this is a mark of success for us.
For all you do to help low-income elders live with dignity, longevity, and vitality, we thank
you. We look forward to your support in 2010, as we continue our work into the future.
photographer. The black and white portraits on the highlights page of this report
form the foundation of the final ad campaign, which was cheekily titled
“We love old people!” Visit www.rogerson.org to see the entire
campaign and behind-the-scenes video.
Paula Thier
B O A R D C H A I R
James F. Seagle, Jr.
P R E S I D E N T
Special thanks to Greg Mailloux of gregshootsvideo.com
Models shown: Rita McDonald, Huicheng Qin, Lisa Pierpont, Jaqui Xu, and LINDA PIZZUTI HENRY

Photo: Patrice Flesch
2 0 0 9 h i g h l i g h t s
B y t h e N u m b e r s2009
We hired 1 Healthy Rogerson Program Manager. 10 more Rogerson Communities
H E A L T H Y
employees became certified Coach Trainers for the Healthy Rogerson A Matter of
Balance program. 20 elders in need were helped by Elder Assistance Fund
emergency grants. 61 elders graduated from the Healthy Rogerson A Matter of
Balance program. 74 is the average age of residents who live in Rogerson low-income
housing. The oldest Rogerson Fitness FIRST SM Participant is 90 years old.
Low-income elders pay an average of $250 a month in Rogerson housing.
277 people participated in Rogerson Fitness FIRST SM . Rogerson Communities
is developing 410 low- and middle-income elder apartments in Chinatown,
Jamaica Plain, Quincy, and Roxbury. 1,174 apartments are managed by
Rogerson Communities. Last year elders worked out for a total of 11,973
Rogerson Fitness FIRST SM sessions. 61,084 meals were served at congregate meal
sites at Beacon House, Farnsworth House, and our adult day health programs.
R O G E R S O N g e t s i n
S H A P E
Rogerson Communities has focused on improving the heath and wellness of elders
since its founding in 1860. 2009 saw the official implementation of the Healthy
Rogerson program—a comprehensive wellness initiative for Rogerson Communities’
residents, day program participants, and staff.
The Healthy Rogerson umbrella includes exercise, nutrition, six Rogerson Fitness
FIRST SM programs, and three evidence-based classes approved by the U.S.
Administration on Aging, in collaboration with the National Council on Aging—
A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls; Healthy Eating for Successful
Living in Older Adults; and Chronic Disease Self-Management.
With Healthy Rogers on, we are changing the lives
of elders, day by day, and the success stories are many:
After graduating from the A Matter of Balance class, a 90-year old woman talked about
how the simple act of consciously holding up her head while she walks has notably
improved her posture, and given her the confidence to venture out of the house more.
Following a regular yoga class offered by the organization, a group of Longfellow
House residents formed a hall walking group—and they augment their indoor cardio
routine by doing seated exercises together in the community room.
Rosa, at 74 years of age, has very limited mobility due to Parkinson’s disease. She has
worked diligently in Rogerson Fitness FIRST SM to increase her mobility. This past
summer, she was able to walk on her own at her grand-daughter’s wedding.
It’s impossible not to be inspired by these stories of renewed strength. Certainly,
it’s possible to measure—and achieve—quantifiable goals that we set when Healthy
Rogerson officially launched at the beginning of the year. But more important are the
less quantifiable results that we have seen and are continuing to see: a better quality
of life, a renewed sense of community, and a more optimistic disposition.
DAY PROGRAM
REVAMP
The Rogerson Roslindale
Dementia Day Program
was completely
refurbished, including
vibrant interior
decoration, new
furnishings, and a stateof-the-art
kitchen. The
overhaul also solidified
a partnership with
The Art Connection, a
non-profit organization
through which artists
may donate original
paintings, prints, and
sculpture to worthy nonprofits.
The community
was invited to a reception
and live artist demonstration
in the updated
program during
Roslindale Open Studios.
MOUNT
PLEASANT HOME
Rogerson Communities
helped to preserve a
valuable community
resource, Mt. Pleasant
Home – a residence for
low-income elders
located along the
Emerald Necklace in
Jamaica Plain. As its
new development
partner, Rogerson
executed a multipronged
management
and development plan
for Mt. Pleasant. A
successful fundraising
effort had raised just
under one million dollars
by year end, which
will help fund a muchneeded
renovation and a
LEED-certified building
expansion.
FINANCE
FOOTWORK
The purchase of Peter
Faneuil House and
refinance of Rogerson
House has helped secure
Rogerson Communities’
solid financial footing,
even during a time when
many other non-profits
are closing their doors or
consolidating resources.
Additionally, Rogerson
was awarded a new
contract for property
management at Hill
House on Beacon Hill.
Photo: Leslie Feagley
LEGISLATIVE
LEADERSHIP
The Legislative
Breakfast – attended
by elected officials
including Mayor
Menino, day program
participants, families,
and voters – Rogerson
hosted in February at
Spencer House kicked
off a year-long crusade
to successfully arrest the
downward trend of state
funding of adult day
health programs.
STIMULUS
SUCCESS
Rogerson also led the
charge for change by
helping create the
Task Force on Low-
Income Tax Credits,
which promoted – with
success – the allocation
of substantial funds
from the federal
stimulus bill.
Photo: Bob Kramer
HEALTHY
ROGERSON
Under the Healthy
Rogerson umbrella,
the physical fitness,
stability, and eating
habits of low-income
elder residents were
improved with the
addition of specialty
fitness and nutrition
programs and training,
including Rogerson
Fitness FIRST SM and
three evidenced-based
programs certified by
the National Council
on Aging.
Photo: Leslie Feagley
MY WAY VILLAGE
2009 welcomed the My
Way Village program
to Rogerson House as
a pilot site, connecting
residents and families
through user-friendly
Internet technology.
ARCHES
The formalization
of the progressive
expressive therapies
program “ARCHES” set
Rogerson House apart
in the field of assisted
living and day programs
for people with memory
loss. This unique
program engages and
involves participants
through Art, Recreation,
Community, Holistic,
Expressive, and
Spiritual activities that
improve their ability
to function with a truly
debilitating disease.
Financials
Rogerson Communities experienced a modest gain from operations during 2009
despite continued challenging economic circumstances. Rogerson added an
engagement for development management services for a construction and renovation
project in Jamaica Plain, with a groundbreaking anticipated in the spring of 2010.
Our adult day health programs exceeded census projections and managed expenses,
while responding to a significant community need.
REVENUES
Management and Consulting 2,849,440
Adult Day Health Programs 3,055,619
Contributions 909,453
Investment and Other Income 73,467
6,887,979
EXPENSES
Adult Day Health Programs 3,237,117
Healthy Rogerson and Fitness FIRST 207,978
Staff and Administration 3,353,464
6,798,559
NET ASSETS
End of Year 13,600,125
Editor: Anne Morton Smith writer/Production Editor: Jeanne O’Rourke Design: www.bradhamdesign.com Special thanks to Mike Diskin, for the cover photo and the five black and white portraits shown above