Celebrate, connect, and grow at the EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium—where older adults, care-partners, and curious minds come together for a day of inspiration, learning, and community.
Here's what you can expect:
Let us know you’re coming by RSVPing—it guarantees your free lunch ticket and helps us prepare for the day! Walk-ins are still welcome, but seating and lunch will be first come, first served. We’ll also have a fun prize opportunity for those who take time to connect with our event partners at the resource fair—stay tuned for how to join in!
Here's what you can expect:
- Inspiring Featured Speaker: Discover the power of connection and resilience with Val Walker, a nationally recognized speaker, rehabilitation consultant, and Psychology Today blogger.
- Interactive Workshops: Engaging, practical, and people-focused—these sessions offer fresh ideas, expert insights, and real tools to support your goals and well-being
- Community Connections: Meet AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and local organizations sharing resources, services, and ways to get involved—all over a light lunch.
Let us know you’re coming by RSVPing—it guarantees your free lunch ticket and helps us prepare for the day! Walk-ins are still welcome, but seating and lunch will be first come, first served. We’ll also have a fun prize opportunity for those who take time to connect with our event partners at the resource fair—stay tuned for how to join in!
Location
Pentucket Regional
Middle-High School
24 Main Street
West Newbury
MA 01985
**A golf-car ride will be available to assist, as needed, from the parking lot to the school entrance.
Middle-High School
24 Main Street
West Newbury
MA 01985
**A golf-car ride will be available to assist, as needed, from the parking lot to the school entrance.
Date & Time
May 17, 2025
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Featured Speaker
Val Walker
Val Walker is a rehabilitation consultant, educator, and a contributing blogger for Psychology Today. She is the author of The Art of Comforting, which won the Nautilus Gold Book Award and was recommended by the Boston Public Health Commission as a guide for families impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing. She is also the author of 400 Friends and No One to Call and speaks nationwide on building community and support after loss and major life changes. She has a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and has led support groups for twenty-five years for people living with illness, grief, and trauma. Based in Boston, she hosts storytelling events and facilitates workshops for recovery and grief support organizations, healthcare centers, and Councils on Aging centers. Catch up with Val at ValWalkerAuthor.com.
Reaching Out:10 Ways to Build Community
In uncertain times, many of us are asking: “How do I make new connections?”
We can build connections by being active in our local community: by volunteering, taking classes, joining events at senior centers or faith-based communities, or meeting in support groups—and so much more. Join us to share ideas and real-life success stories of how we can expand and enrich our social life.
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Schedule
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Registration and Welcome Refreshments
Doors open at 9:30am and volunteers will be at the registration desk to assist. Light refreshments will be served.
10:00 AM - 10:15 Am
Welcome Message
Join us for opening remarks and a warm welcome to all participants.
10:15 AM - 11:15 am
Interactive Workshop Sessions
Start the day with interactive sessions focused on advocacy, financial planning, real estate, and legal considerations. Learn practical tips, get inspired, and connect with others—no matter where you are on your journey.
Workshops will include a conversation led by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC)—a statewide, grassroots, senior-led organization that empowers its members to use their voices to influence public policy and address key issues affecting their health and well-being—as well as a panel on life transitions.
**View detailed workshop descriptions here!**
Workshops will include a conversation led by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC)—a statewide, grassroots, senior-led organization that empowers its members to use their voices to influence public policy and address key issues affecting their health and well-being—as well as a panel on life transitions.
**View detailed workshop descriptions here!**
11:30 AM - 12:30 pm
Featured Speaker: Val Walker
Reaching Out: 10 Ways to Build Community
Join Val Walker, author of The Art of Comforting and 400 Friends and No One to Call, as she shares practical ways to form meaningful connections, expand social circles, and build community through volunteering, local events, and support networks. Together, we’ll explore real-life success stories and strategies to stay connected, even in uncertain times. Learn more about Val here.
Join Val Walker, author of The Art of Comforting and 400 Friends and No One to Call, as she shares practical ways to form meaningful connections, expand social circles, and build community through volunteering, local events, and support networks. Together, we’ll explore real-life success stories and strategies to stay connected, even in uncertain times. Learn more about Val here.
12:30pM - 1:00 pm
Resource Fair - Dedicated Time
We know how overwhelming it can be—in the best way—to have so many valuable resources at your fingertips. That’s why we’ve carved out dedicated time just for you. Enjoy 30 minutes to explore our wide range of resource tables at your own pace. From trusted organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, to local gems like Georgetown Massage, community clubs, and knowledgeable professionals like Fairway Home Mortgage, this is your chance to connect, ask questions, and discover something new.
.**Plan your visit—see who’ll be at our Resource Tables and make the most of your time! Click here for the current list.
.**Plan your visit—see who’ll be at our Resource Tables and make the most of your time! Click here for the current list.
1:00pM - 1:45 pm
Lunch + Resource Fair Continues
Join us for a light lunch gathering where you can connect with fellow community members. Explore a diverse array of resources, services, and volunteer opportunities available in our community at the resource fair.
2:00 pM - 3:00 PM
Interactive Workshop Sessions
Our afternoon sessions keep the momentum going with practical, empowering workshops. Hear from AARP on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—compact housing built on residential lots—and from the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership on resources to support your mental and emotional well-being—plus other meaningful topics designed to inform and inspire.
Resource tables will remain open throughout the afternoon for those who prefer to explore community offerings instead of attending a session.
**View detailed workshop descriptions here!**
Resource tables will remain open throughout the afternoon for those who prefer to explore community offerings instead of attending a session.
**View detailed workshop descriptions here!**
3:00 pm
Closing & Prize Entry
As we wrap up the day, we’ll be collecting completed tickets from our Resource Table Game. If you visited tables and participated, make sure to drop off your ticket by 3:00 PM for a chance to win a prize!
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With Gratitude to Our Event Sponsors
We’re grateful to our generous sponsors, Nichols Village (Title Sponsor) and Bethany Communities (Premier Sponsor), for helping bring this celebration to life—and for their ongoing commitment to supporting older adults and building a more connected community.
Title Sponsor
We’re proud to welcome Nichols Village as our Title Sponsor for the EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium. Nestled on a scenic hilltop in Groveland, Nichols Village offers independent living for active adults 62+, with beautifully designed apartments and cottages surrounded by 90 acres of woodlands and fields.
With wellness programs, social activities, and dining options, Nichols Village fosters a vibrant, supportive community. Learn more at www.nichols-village.com. We’re grateful for their generous support.
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Premier Sponsor
Bethany Communities joins us as a Premier Sponsor for this year’s EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium. They provide safe, affordable independent and assisted living options for older adults of all backgrounds, helping residents age in place with grace and dignity in a supportive community.
With a wide range of activities, wellness and mental health care, personal assistance, transportation, and meals, Bethany Communities empowers residents to live well, engage, and thrive. Learn more at www.bethanycommunities.org.
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Keystone Sponsor
We’re pleased to recognize Fairway Home Mortgage as our Keystone Sponsor for the EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium. With a focus on delivering practical solutions, Fairway helps older adults achieve financial freedom in retirement through tailored options that support aging in place comfortably. Their team is committed to seamless collaboration and delivering exceptional results.
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Community Sponsors
We’re grateful for the support of our Community Sponsors—local businesses that help make the EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium possible. Their generosity reflects a shared commitment to community connection and well-being.
Interested in joining as a sponsor? We’d love to connect—sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Contact Us
Have questions about the EngAGEment Celebration and Symposium? We're here to help! Please feel free to reach out to the Groveland COA by using the contact form to your right, or give us a call at (978) 372-1101 or email us at [email protected].
We value your feedback and inquiries, and we'll do our best to assist you promptly.
We value your feedback and inquiries, and we'll do our best to assist you promptly.
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