Cambridge Neighbors

09/11/2026

You don't want to miss this! We have partnered with the Cambridge Public Library to deliver this important topic. Hope you can make it!

09/11/2026

olo Aging Series (Virtual) Online

Join Marni Blank, founder of Begin with the End, for a three-part series designed to give solo agers and those preparing for that possibility the practical tools, emotional support, and community connection they need to plan with confidence.

Session 1 (September 17): Building Your Support System
Who shows up when life changes? Take an honest look at your current support circle, identify gaps, and understand why the right people in the right roles matters more than we think.
Session 2 (October 1): Practical Tools for Planning Ahead
This session walks through what documents, decisions and systems to have in place, how to choose the right support and how to organize your financial and digital life so someone can step in if needed.
Session 3 (October 15): Taking Action: Mindset, Legacy, and Making it Stick
Here we'll address the emotional barriers that keep us stuck, reframing planning as something we do for ourselves and not a sign of decline.

This is a virtual presentation, and a link will be provided one hour before each program. Presented in partnership with Cambridge Neighbors.

Dates & Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm, Thursday, September 17, 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm, Thursday, October 1, 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm, Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time Zone:
Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Branches:
Virtual
Online:
This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.

Registration is required. There are 104 seats available.

The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at [email protected], 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.

Marni Plank, JD is a lawyer and entrepreneur turned end-of-life & after-loss expert and founder of Begin With the End. Blending legal expertise, operational strategy, and human-centered care, she supports individuals and organizations through life's transitions.

Cambridge Neighbors is a membership-driven organization dedicated to helping adults aged 60 and over in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, and Watertown stay in the home and neighborhoods they love. CN seeks to provide its members the opportunities and support necessary to remain an integral part of their communities, giving members peace of mind with practical services, activities and a social network to enable successful "aging in place."

08/13/2026

Cambridge Neighbors’ longtime volunteer and supporter, Kim Bandtel, talks about her experience visiting CN member, Frances Antupit.

“There are some people that come into our lives for such a short period of time but have such a profound impact. I have spoken so often of Frances to friends/family over the last couple of years. She was a force, and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with her. Thank YOU for providing that to me.

Cambridge Neighbors does as much, or more, for the volunteers than the members. My visits with Frances were such a true gift to me. (Even though she beat me at Scrabble every single time we played!!). She was such an accomplished, strong and determined woman. She held so many interesting stories, all with a quick wit!”

Frances’ family acknowledges Kim and her impact on their mother:
“The Antupit family is donating to Cambridge Neighbors in memory of Frances Antupit, who was visited by a kind and caring volunteer, Kim Bandtel, before she passed away in December. We thank you for all your care.” Lisa Antupit Besen

Interested in volunteering at Cambridge Neighbors? Please contact Gail Merriam at 617-864-1715 or at [email protected] to find out more.

08/13/2026

We are excited to announce the addition of Gail Merriam to Cambridge Neighbors as our new Member Services Coordinator.

With a background in social work and public health, Gail brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and practical skills to her new role. As our Member Services Coordinator, she will work closely with members on an individual basis, helping those who may benefit from additional support and connecting them with resources and services that can enhance their well-being and quality of life.

We are delighted to welcome Gail to Cambridge Neighbors and look forward to the experience, energy, and compassion she will bring to our community.

07/10/2026

Solo aging educator and advocate, Ailene Gerhardt, sent this out to her community partners today! Here is what she wrote about NPR's segment on solo aging:

"On June 22, NPR's All Things Considered aired a segment exploring solo aging demographics and the evolving landscape of independent planning. Yesterday, July 9, they published the accompanying in-depth digital article across their website and social media feeds.
This piece brilliantly weaves together the essential pieces of the solo aging ecosystem, featuring my insights alongside pioneering voices like Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., Barbara Sullivan of the Village to Village Network, and Jason Resendez of the National Alliance for Caregiving.
To see grassroots community models, national caregiving advocates, and strategic navigation architects highlighted together proves that the roadmap for independent longevity is being actively rewritten. We are moving the narrative away from a lens of worry and toward an empowered reality of intentional design, choice, and clarity.
You can listen to the brief 3-minute piece or check out the full article here: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/09/nx-s1-5886348/solo-agers-demographics-caregiving-family-aging"

Please join us at the Cambridge Public Library for a three-part series on solo aging starting in September. See flyer below.

06/30/2026

Cambridge Neighbors members enjoyed getting together at Webb and Jeff Brown's lovely home and patio to celebrate summer and one another.

If you're interested in widening your social circles, please be in touch!

06/01/2026

We are delighted and honored to announce that the Cummings Foundation has awarded Cambridge Neighbors a three-year grant to help support a staff position dedicated to serving our most vulnerable members.

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05/04/2026

Welcome, A***n Liao!

We are delighted to welcome Adrian, our new Assistant Director here at Cambridge Neighbors!

With a background in piano performance, Adrian discovered a love for engaging with people in intimate settings while performing in retirement communities during college. She later attended a Bible truth and service program, where her passion for working with people continued to grow. Through outreach in shopping centers, parks, and diverse communities, she gained experience engaging with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and developed a heart for people, along with a strong affinity for mentorship and personal connection. After returning to the Greater Boston area and settling in Cambridge, Adrian worked closely with college students, planning events and programs while also providing one-on-one mentorship. She is passionate about fostering environments where people feel supported and able to thrive.

Adrian chose to join Cambridge Neighbors because of her desire to make a meaningful, positive impact in people's daily lives. She hopes to contribute a joyful outlook and create experiences that make members' lives easier, richer, and more connected. In her free time, Adrian enjoys running, baking, and exploring new matcha spots and restaurants with friends. More than anything, she simply loves being with the people she cares about.

04/15/2026

Share Cambridge Neighbors Info Session -

I'm writing as a member of Cambridge Neighbors, a community of older adults with the mutual interest of aging in place. I'm sending you this invitation to their next Information Session to learn more about them. I hope you can make it!

04/10/2026

It cannot be overstated that volunteers are central to Cambridge Neighbors’ mission and culture, fostering mutual support among members and throughout the community. As the son of a member recently shared, “Cambridge Neighbors has been integral to my mother’s ability to remain in her home these past three years. We will be forever grateful for the kindness of the three volunteers who brought her groceries—Alain, Agnes, and Kathleen. Thank you for the work you all do.”

Transportation is at the top of the list of volunteer services we provide, second to request for tech help.