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IAGB Community Spotlight
Jean Patel Bushnell – Director, Billerica Council on Aging
A role model for many, Jean continues to strive for excellence. Jean has been the Director of the BCOA since April of 2016. Prior to that, she held several leadership positions designing and implementing services to better the life quality of seniors; including as Executive Director of the Independent Transportation Network of Greater Boston enrolling over 500 members across 21 towns in Massachusetts to get seniors to medical and non-medical appointments. In addition Jean has run an assisted living community, led business development for the VNA of Boston and held several key roles at Lifeline Systems (now Philips Lifeline). Jean is passionate about the wellness and life quality of seniors and is working with local aging services agencies, businesses, healthcare and civic organizations and all her peers at the town level, to help seniors in Billerica age in the community with dignity and adequate support.
With a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Jean is hard-wired for cooperation and collaboration and gifted in building and sustaining relationships of trust. She is a forward-thinking leader who is proactive and creative in supporting the evolving needs of our seniors in the community and beyond. An avid gardener that makes her a nurturing leader, she is passionate about constantly asking ‘why’ and challenging the status quo.
Jean has been IAGB’s rock solid support for the past 3 years at its Flag Hoisting events in the town of Billerica. She has always shown up with great vigor and enthusiasm cheering team IAGB in raising the national flag of India and honoring the US national flag.
This time around, Jean has stepped up in her support for IAGB and its social/civic endeavors. She has been instrumental in connecting IAGB with the Town of Billerica as a result of which, IAGB’s signature event, New England Seniors Expo will be conducted in collaboration with the Town of Billerica in the Billerica Town Hall.
IAGB says “BRAVO” to forward thinking, conscientious leaders like Jean Bushnell, who operate out of passion to excel and love for the community!
Bio
Jean Ambika Bushnell continues to leverage the intrinsic benefits of collaboration and meaningful community engagement to achieve diverse levels of outcomes and impact, and sustainable system-level changes.
Currently the Director of the Billerica Council on Aging, a position she has held for 8+ years. Through executive leadership positions at ITNGreater Boston Senior Transportation, a national model, Standish Village Assisted Living, VNA of Boston, United Way of Mass Bay and Lifeline Systems Jean has passionately evolved aging services organizations through clear strategic thinking, creative programming and aggressive community partnering. Jean holds an MBA from the University of Chicago specializing in Marketing and a BS in Food Technology with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Her community involvement past and present include:
- Member, 1997-present, and Co-Chair of the Mentoring Committee, The Boston Club for Women Leaders
- Two-term Board President 2001 -2005, Ethos, an Aging Services Access Point
- Member, Oversight Committee 2006-2007, Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ SeniorDirect Program Board Member, 2011 – 2014, Discovering What’s Next
- Board Member 2012-2016, MetroWest Nonprofit Network
- Board Member 7/15 -9/17, Member Finance and Development Committees, FriendshipWorks Inc. – Vice President, 7/17 -present, Billerica Lions Club
- Co-Chair, 11/17-present, Dementia Friendly Billerica Movement
- Board Member 7/2020 – present, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley/North Shore, (now AgeSpan), private non-profit agency serving a diverse population, including older adults, caregivers, families and those with disabilities, in 28 towns and cities across northeastern Massachusetts.
- Board Member 6/2022 – present, Strafford Community Nursing Program, VT, providing support, guidance, education and peace of mind to Strafford residents who may be experiencing illness, aging needs, disability, or family care overload.
IAGB Events Recap
Heartfelt Thanks for Your Generosity to Our Winter Coat Drive
We are delighted to share a heartwarming recap of the Winter Coats Drive organized by IAGB, February through March 2024.
Spring is here and the temperature is warming up, yet there are families and individuals struggling to stay warm. IAGB wanted to take a moment to express our sincerest gratitude for your incredible response to our winter coat drive. Your generosity and support have truly warmed our hearts, and we are overwhelmed by the kindness you have shown.
Thanks to your contributions, we have been able to make a significant difference in the lives of those in need during these cold winter months. Your donation of coats will provide warmth, comfort, and protection to individuals and families who may otherwise have struggled to stay warm.
Your willingness to give back to the community reflects your compassion and empathy, and it is truly inspiring. Your support not only helps meet a basic need but also sends a powerful message of care and solidarity to those facing hardships.
On behalf of the benefactor of this drive, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., IAGB extends its deepest thanks to you for your generosity and kindness. Your donation will have a lasting impact, and we are immensely grateful for your support.
Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and generosity. We couldn’t have achieved such success without you.
Public Announcement
IAGB Board of Trustee:
IAGB has constituted the IAGB Board of Trustees and has inducted 3 distinguished members of our Indian American community, namely, Harish Dang, Rajinikanth Malipat and Vaishali Gade.
The BOT appointment officially commenced on Nov. 1st, 2023 with these stalwarts who comprise the IAGB BOT. They bring to the table tremendous wisdom, experience and proven devotion to the role and each of them will add an important perspective to the Board’s operations.
The Board of Trustees will serve to make strategic decisions and recommendations for current operations, monitor IAGB’s operations and ensure EC actions/initiatives align with the organization’s mission and vision statement. IAGB Executive Committee looks forward to working with them and excited about the value addition they bring forth to the newly created BOT, serving as a stimulus to enhance IAGB’s membership administration, communication, elections, database maintenance, accounting, publication of communication media, conventions, fundraising, etc.
IAGB EC sees the BOT playing a crucial role in providing support to the Executive Committee in their operations and reviewing the long-term needs of the Association’s membership and making recommendations to the Executive Committee for necessary actions. EC is truly counting on BOT to assist and guide them in fund-raising and public relations activities.
Woman of the Year 2024:
INDIA New England News, one of the largest online and video magazines serving the Indian American community in the United States, has announced the list of its ‘Outstanding Women of 2024’ awards. Ms. Tanu Phoenix, President of IAGB is in this year’s list of 10 Outstanding Women!
She will be honored at the 21st Annual ’Woman of the Year’ Awards gala on April 26, 2024 at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
Interesting fact to be proud of: 4 other women leaders from the esteemed IAGB family have received the WOY award so far – namely Rita Shah, Aditi Taylor, Yogita Miharia & Vaishali Gade.
Dr. Manju Sheth, MD, is the Woman of the Year Director and the Host. She won the Woman of the Year Award herself in 2011 and then has been directing this event for the last 11 years. The event is attended annually by about 400 business and community leaders, philanthropists, and professionals.
Community Conversation
Avani Bhargava:
To me, giving back to my community always meant making a difference in others lives. As Muhammed Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth”. I have always heard that it feels good to help others without getting a reward in return. I have been volunteering at different places for nearly 5 years now, ever since I became a teenager. Even though I have never physically seen the change my community service work has done, I can always walk away confidently knowing that I made a positive difference in the world step by step. Giving back to the community is beneficial to me because I have acquired new skills and talents, met diverse people, and explored unique careers all which will hopefully help me in my adulthood. My favorite charity has to be St. Jude Children’s Hospital. I have always appreciated how St. Jude is able to restore huge smiles on children after they have to deal with serious, life threatening diseases like cancer. Not only that, but thanks to donations, they have never billed families who can’t afford treatment, they have treated people from all around the world and have raised the cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% in 60 years.
Karthik Babu:
To me, giving back to the community means you are volunteering your own time and/or resources to help leave behind a positive impact on your community; whether it be your school, town, or country. My favorite charity is the American Red Cross; it might seem like a basic choice but they really do do a lot for people all over the country in different walks of life. They provide Americans with access to food, medical care, and shelter whenever they need it. On top of that they also have excellent volunteer training programs to help people start giving back to their communities. For example my family tries to donate to different charities and organizations every month, including Feeding America, UNICEF, and some local organizations like the Westford CAT and Westford Conservation Trust.. Even if you can’t donate supplies or pledge any financial support, it’s really easy to just go out with your family and friends and spend some time volunteering at a local food pantry or shelter
Netra Rajnikant:
Giving is extremely close to my heart. It means simply going above and beyond and putting in time, effort, and money to make a small difference in the world!
It also makes me feel deeply thankful for the opportunity given to do this work. As one of the founding members, my favorite charity is New England Leherein. Each and every member of the Leherein team is passionate about the cause, and works quietly and tirelessly to support the education and livelihood of people in need. Instead of asking for donations we proudly raise funds by the unique concept of offering ‘dabba’, a wholesome meal.
Radhika Pragada:
Giving back to the community, to me, means actively contributing time, resources, or skills to support and participate in a place of your choice – it could be an organization where you are contributing or a place where you are volunteering. It fosters a sense of shared responsibility and hopefully impacts someone positively and makes you happy to be involved. I want my son to learn from all this and carry these values forward. My favorite charities where I keep contributing are the Wish Project in Chelmsford and ‘Spoorti Foundation’ in India, both are dedicated to uplifting and providing for people in need.
Community Spotlight
20 Years of TeamAIDAsha
For last 20 years TeamAIDAsha (TAA) running program has offered the Greater Boston community an opportunity to train for a half or a full marathon and raise funds for grassroots development initiatives in India.
Since 2004, the program has had over 400 runners join the training – many taking up long distance running for the very first time – and complete a half or a full marathon. While achieving something that provides a sense of deep personal accomplishment, the TAA runners have raised close to $1 million for two non-profits: Association for India’s Development (AID) and Asha for Education.
AID and Asha are volunteer managed organizations that support partners in India that work at the grassroots level and have a direct impact on education of children, generating livelihoods for the marginalized, empowering girls and women, building climate-change resilient communities and much more. Close to 95% of the funds raised by TAA are used for these initiatives – a high percentage when compared to other fundraising programs where the costs for managing the program are typically higher.
How did it all start? Parthiv Shah, a transplant from California was looking to join a running program similar to the one in the Bay Area for Asha for Education. As word got around and with common connection between those that had an association with AID and Asha (such as Biju Kalissery), the TeamAIDASha program was born. Jonathan Wyner, an accomplished runner, agreed to coach and a few curious and adventurous folk signed up to run a full marathon!
Each year the program kicks off in April and runners have close to 6 months to train and run a full marathon in the October-November time frame. Along the way TAA offers several clinics for the runners: how to choose running shoes, how to warm up and cool down with appropriate stretches, the best sources of nutrition during training, and how to fundraise. Not only does the program offer the opportunity to be outdoors but also the Saturday long-runs have generated enlightening conversations, interesting debates, friendships, and lifelong bonds.
Anyone can join in on this year’s special 20th anniversary edition:
https://www.teamaidasha.org/signup.html
IAGB Event Recap
IAGB Community Giving: February-March 2024 - Winter Coats Drive
We are delighted to share a heartwarming recap of the Winter Coats Drive organized by IAGB throughout February which is now extended through March 2024! This initiative aimed to spread warmth and compassion within our community during the chilly winter months, through a basic necessity – Coats for Winter.
It’s not just for comfort: going outside without adequate protection against the cold is dangerous. During the winter, the elderly are at a higher risk of heart attacks, and children are vulnerable to hypothermia and pneumonia.
Our Benefactor Choice for the Winter Coats Drive is Action for Boston Community Development, IncABCD helps families in need with warm clothing for the harsh winter months. They accept donations of coats, scarves, boots, gloves, mittens, hats, and anything else that can help a family bundle up in the cold.
Recognizing the persistent need for winter essentials, IAGB decided to extend its Feb. Winter Coats drive through the month of March, allowing for continued contributions and support through the winter months. Donations poured in, reflecting the community’s commitment to making a positive impact.
To ensure accessibility for all, multiple collection points are established at Bedford, Burlington, Belmont, and Westford, making it convenient for donors to contribute gently used or new winter coats. So far we have around 10 bags of winter clothing collected by our community members, surpassing our initial expectations.
IAGB extends its sincere gratitude to each member of the community who contributed to the Winter Coats Drive. Your generosity and compassion have made a tangible difference in the lives of many, embodying the spirit of unity and support that defines our community. Your gift of winter clothing will directly benefit those who need it the most.
Keep giving, keep shining!
Thank You Note – Republic Day 2024
Thousands of Indian American community members in New England came out to celebrate and enjoy the Grand Republic Day Mela hosted by the India Association of Greater Boston on Jan 27, 2024. It has been simply a delightful pleasure and joy to have hosted the IAGB Grand Republic Day Mela this past Saturday, Jan. 27!
Huge “Shout Outs” to our:
- Cheering Audience
- Chief Guest Raj Sharma
- Community Champion Arsh Mehrotra
- Competition participants
- Cultural Performers
- Fellow Community Organizations
- Food Partner
- Media Partners
- Special Guests from the town of Burlington, Jim Tigges & Lisa Chen
- Sponsors
- Vendors & Volunteers
“YOU” have been so kind, supportive, cooperative, and understanding! We stand in AWE. IAGB cannot thank you enough for making IAGB Republic Day Mela 2024 a shining success!
TOGETHER, WE CREATED HISTORY!
Forgive us if we made any errors/mistakes or caused you any inconvenience. We value our friendship and look forward to your continued camaraderie.
Warmest regards & heart-felt gratitude to all,
Tanu Phoenix, President & IAGB Executive Committee
