Hebrew SeniorLife's Power a Dream Helps Seniors Achieve Life Goals, One Dream at a Time

Thanks to donors, residents of affordable housing and hospice patients can have a meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Author: Jeanne Seltzer
A senior receives his wish of having a martini party through the Power a Dream program

Hebrew SeniorLife’s Power a Dream program took Sandy, a resident from Jack Satter House, into Boston to be pampered at Bella Santé Day Spa. She brought her favorite staff member with her, and was treated to a limo, spa services, lunch at Mooo, and her favorite flowers – pink roses. This all happened because Sandy was nominated for the Power a Dream program, which is celebrating its five-year anniversary. 

Launched in 2018, the Power a Dream program funds long-held or deeply meaningful dreams of the residents of Hebrew SeniorLife’s supportive senior living communities,  Jack Satter House in Revere, Center Communities of Brookline, and the Simon C. Fireman Community in Randolph, plus Hebrew SeniorLife hospice patients. Through the program, family members and staff can nominate residents or patients to receive the wish of a lifetime. Whether it be a night on the town or a new wheelchair, all that we ask is that the dream be personally significant. 

Power a Dream participants have enjoyed an array of activities like a martini party at a downtown restaurant, a private opera performance, a Red Sox or Patriots game, and a night at the symphony.

Shirley, a Satter House resident, fulfilled her dream of attending a Red Sox game.  “I developed a love for the game at the age of 10, at a time when girls were not allowed to play.” She attended a game with her late husband decades ago, but they sat in a faraway seat and “everybody down on the field looked like little sticks,” she says. Her goal has always been to go to another Sox game, and so appreciated the opportunity to attend the game now at age 93.

Judy and Jack, also Satter House residents, attended their first New England Patriots game. “It was incredible,” says Judy. “There were thousands of people there, and we were thrilled to be a part of it.”

Making these dreams a reality is integral to our values here at Hebrew SeniorLife. We believe that people can think, dream, and achieve at all phases of life and our programs strive to make that happen. In addition to fundraising to support the cost of each experience, we support the dreams by organizing the events and providing staff to help with transportation. We take great care when delivering a dream and rely entirely on donations to make them happen.

As a participant in the Power a Dream program, Helene received her first spa facial treatment, a luxury she said she couldn’t afford otherwise. “If I were a millionaire, and I had the money to put it in this program, I would do it!” she says.

To fulfill the dreams of seniors like Helene, Judy, Jack, Shirley, Sandy, and many more, donate to support Power a Dream today. Or for more information call 617-971-5791.

Hear directly from Power a Dream participants about what the program – and donor support – means to them, in this feature from WCVB-TV’s Chronicle.

 

Learn More

Power a Dream

Our Power a Dream program funds long-held dreams of the seniors in our care.

About Jeanne Seltzer

Development Communications Manager

Jeanne Seltzer is a Development Communications Manager at Hebrew SeniorLife, where she focuses on creating development and marketing communications. Jeanne has a background in journalism, fundraising communications, and marketing communications. She has written for American Public Television, WGBH, Boston Magazine...

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