Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center

The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center is a nonprofit that has served Chinese-speaking Asian seniors in the Boston area since 1972. It runs a network of programs meant to help elders live well in their own communities, including adult day health care for frail elders and disabled adults, a nutrition program serving hot Chinese-style meals, social services and outreach, and health insurance counseling through the state SHINE program.

The center grew from a state start-up grant into a multi-site agency. It sponsored Hong Lok House, a 28-unit elderly housing development in Chinatown that opened in 1982, and in 1985 bought and renovated Brighton House to serve Chinese-speaking elders in Allston-Brighton. Over the years it has partnered with Harvard Medical School, Brandeis University, Wellesley College and Boston University on research into Asian elder issues, and with Massachusetts General Hospital on health education.

What to Know

• Meals include a meat or vegetarian entree, vegetables, rice, fruit and milk, and homebound clients can have them delivered.
• Classes cover ESL, citizenship assistance, health talks, and exercise and dance.
• The Senior Community Service Employment Program offers older adults on-the-job training at nonprofits and government agencies.
• The state certified the agency as a minority nonprofit organization.
• The agency operates its own transportation division.