Michelle LaChapelle and Amy Cowen both work at Plummer Place, Home of the Northbridge Senior Center. Michelle is the Assistant Director and Amy is the Program and Volunteer Coordinator. Prior to being the Assistant Director, Michelle was an occupational therapist. Amy comes to her position as a former educator. Michelle and Amy share an office suite so to speak, and like people to feel as if  «our door is always open!” Seniors and older adults are always stopping in to chat with them, even if it’s just to say “hi.” Other folks sit down and stay awhile to share their thoughts, stories, or a special event happening in their lives. Both Amy and Michelle like making a difference in the lives of seniors in and around their community and look forward to coming to work each day! 

Amy and Michelle had been hearing from a lot of women who weren’t sure where they fit in anymore due to a recent move, an empty nest, illness, retirement, divorce or the loss of a spouse. Through their own experiences, they knew the benefits of women supporting one another and wanted to share that with senior women.  As such, they structured an informative and supportive women’s circle that shares with one another, learns from one another, and often hosts women speakers. Their women’s circle has created vision boards together, meditated, completed tasks together, journaled with one another, and even donated to a local women’s shelter.  Joyce Brill, one of the women from their “Women on the Move” circle, as this group refers to themselves said, “this is my favorite program at the senior center.  It gives senior women a place to share their perspectives on any number of topics and I have met several women through this group that I might never have known!  It is a warm and welcoming group where everybody has a voice and is safe.  If you come to a meeting once, you will surely want to return.”

This past fall, Michelle and Amy were honored to present their “Women on the Move” program at the Massachusetts Council on Aging’s Annual Conference.  Their presentation was incredibly well received by their peers and colleagues, and Amy and Michelle are now assisting other senior centers with forming these important women’s circles across the state.  “During the Conference, I had the pleasure of witnessing Plummer Place staff members, Michelle LaChapelle and Amy Cowen, present a workshop on the women’s circle they have established at our Center. Watching Amy and Michelle share their experience was truly a proud moment and I am incredibly honored to have them both as a part of the Plummer Place Team!” shared Kelly Bol, Plummer Place director.  For more information on Plummer Place, Home of the Northbridge Senior Center, please call (508) 234-2002.