Senior Center Staff

Senior Center Programs Team

Tara pic
Tara Donnelly, Receptionist, joined the Senior Center in 2001. Tara is the person you are most likely to see when you walk in the lobby or when you call the Senior Center's main number. With her long history here and great care for seniors, Tara knows hundreds of seniors well and makes all feel welcome. Tara is a great source of information about the Senior Center and can help you sign up for appointments or classes. You can reach Tara at the front desk: 978-674-4131.
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Dee Leon Santiago, Program Assistant joined the Senior Center in 2021 through Operation ABLE. She assists visitors at the front desk and helps to record our program attendance. You may find her giving a tour, helping someone with vaccine sign-up, or serving lunch at special events. Dee also speaks Spanish. You can reach her at 978-674-4131.

Joe and Karl

Joe Wilkins and Karl Correa prepare breakfast and lunch weekdays at the Senior Center, plan menus, keep the kitchen clean and stocked, and appreciate all the volunteers who make our dining room table service possible! We serve about 20 breakfasts and 70 lunches a day, including dine-in and takeout. Special monthly offerings include Veterans Breakfasts (first Tuesday of each month at 8am) and Dinner Dances (usually the 3rd Friday of each month Sept - May). Joe joined the senior center as Chef in 2019. Karl has worked at the senior center since 1994.

Aurora Erickson, Director of Programs

Aurora Erickson, Director of Programs is new at the Senior Center in 2021. She previously worked for Coalition for a Better Acre doing voter education, and as a seasonal ranger at Lowell National Historic Park. She lives in Lowell and loves being active in the community here. Her job is to organize trips, classes, programs and events. Call Aurora at 978-674-1169 to talk about ideas for classes or new programs. 

Kimberly Gagnon

Kimberly Gagnon, Council on Aging Director is the new COA Director., starting in December 2022 She has a passion for working with seniors and using a hands-on approach to building relationships. For the past 10 years, she has been working in the assisted living industry, having spent the last 2 years as Executive Director. Kimberly grew up locally in Chelmsford and attended UMass Lowell, where she received her degree in Business Administration. She looks forward to getting acclimated to her new role and working with everyone!


Liane Harvey

Liane Harvey started working at the Senior Center as a Bookkeeper in November 2022. She retired from her full time job as an administrator in 2021 after many years, and was happy to return to work part time paying the bills and other administrative duties for the Senior Center. Currently living in Dracut, but lived in Lowell for many years.

Roger Fortin

Roger Fortin and Luann Fitzpatrick (not pictured) began working at the senior center in 2005 as bus driver / custodians. You are likely to see Roger on day trips to area attractions and beaches, as well as driving our members from home to the senior center and taking care of our building. Luann offers trips from home to the senior center in addition to taking care of our building.

Ray Destrempe

Ray Destrempe, Maintenance Custodian transferred to the senior center in 2019 from the Pollard Memorial Library. He is here weekdays keeping our spaces clean, setting up for activities, keeping supplies stocked and coordinating maintenance for our 20,000 sqft building.

Lowell Senior Outreach Team

Alicia Page, Outreach Receptionist

Alicia Page, Outreach Receptionist joins us through a federal program called Operation Able. She helps the Outreach Team members schedule appointments to meet with seniors to discuss concerns such as Housing, Health Insurance, Fuel Assistance, Food Stamps (SNAP) and more. She is also working with our wonderful volunteers and monitoring the Resource Room. She works Monday through Thursday, 9-2. Alicia has enjoyed living in the heart of downtown Lowell since 2004 and has worked and volunteered for several nonprofit organizations throughout the City. She looks forward to welcoming you in the upstairs lobby to see how the Outreach Team can be of assistance.  You can reach her at 978-674-1166.

 

Seila Chuop

Sovannseila (Seila) Chuop, Bilingual Human Services Coordinator, works part-time at the Senior Outreach Team. She grew up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She moved to South Korea to pursue a first Master of Laws (L.LM) in Seoul, and then moved to Washington D.C to pursue a second L.LM. Now she lives in Lowell and is a graduate student at GW Law School. She has a background in International Law and International Relations, and is also passionate about social work. In her role, she listens to the needs and stresses of seniors and helps them find benefits and services. Seila speaks Khmer, English, and Korean. Please call her at 978-735-9247, or the Outreach Team office at 978-674-1166.

Jenny Khweiss

Augam (Jenny) Khweiss, Bilingual Human Services Coordinator, joined the Senior Center in 2022. She previously worked at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network for 21 years, offering group workshops and case management including access to Mental Health services, public housing and translation. Jenny is also certified in Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Youth. She was born in Venezuela and speak Spanish and Arabic, understands Portuguese and Italian. She works at the Senior Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call Jenny at 978-674-1178, or the Outreach Team office at 978-674-1166. 


Amy photo

Amy Medina Leal, Outreach Worker, joined the Senior Center in 2005. She is a first point of contact for seniors needing assistance with health, housing, or financial issues. Amy works closely with AgeSpan, Community Teamwork, and other agencies to connect you with the services you need. She helps low-income seniors apply for public assistance including MassHealth, Fuel Assistance and Food Stamps. She also speaks Portuguese and Spanish, and together with the SHINE program she helps Portuguese and Spanish speakers with Medicare and choosing health insurance plans. Please call Amy at 978-674-1167, or the Outreach Team office at 978-674-1166.

Glady Rosa

Glady Rosa, Outreach Worker, joined the Senior Center in 2019 as a part-time Volunteer Coordinator and became an Outreach Worker in 2021. She works closely with Community Teamwork and Senior Center staff to meet with and follow-up with older adults who need assistance. Glady also speaks Spanish. Please call Glady at 978-674-1168, or the Outreach Team office at 978-674-1166.