Goddard House — "A Place of Life"

As one passes by South Huntington Avenue, near the Heath Street MBTA stop, there’s a grand brick building that commands attention. After a second glance and full immersion into the building, elegance and hospitality embraces visitors to the .

JP Plain Patch spoke with Goddard House’s Ginny Mazur, community partnership director, and with Denise Riley Okun, executive director, to learn more about the nonprofit.

Tell us more about the history of Goddard House.
Goddard House has been privately owned for over 160 years, we are the oldest elder care center in Massachusetts, and the third oldest in the nation. It started thanks to the help of a charitable woman, Matilda Goddard, as a place where women could find a safe home. In the 1950s, working women that were not married often did not have a place for care once they got older. This became a safe place for them. But over time, men and women are now welcomed. It is now a place where people come to make this their new home, either long-term or short-term.

Why is Jamaica Plain a good home for Goddard House?
JP is a very diverse community, and we welcome a very diverse mix of people from different communities, religions, colors and beliefs. We have residents that come to us from Roxbury, Mission Hill, Brookline and JP. We are a real mix. The history of the building, our mission, all of it reflects JP. A lot of people say that Goddard House feels more like a home. And we try to keep our character. We know we are part of a bigger community, a community that we understand and care about. JP is actively involved in music, and music is central to our community. In our classes residents listen to a wide range of music, Afro-Cuban, jazz, salsa, all types that keep them engaged.

What services does Goddard House offer to its residents?
We have long-term and short-term services; for those that decide to make this their home and can’t live on their own, and for those that need extra care before they head home from the hospital. We also have the Olmsted Place. The Olmsted Dementia Care Program helps seniors that have Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It is a safe and caring place for them. We also offer physical therapy, and many other services that will ensure healthy recoveries and a good daily life. Our residents can also take part of our fun music classes and the gospel ministry.

How does Goddard House work with other organizations?
We are always looking for better ways to serve our residents. We recently got a grant that allows us to take residents on a trip every week. We take them to farms, casinos, shopping, and many other places. We have partnerships with several other organizations that help us improve our services. Goddard House works with Berkelee College of Music and Lesley University students, they bring their talents and joy into our home. We have scholarship programs for our staff, so that they can advance in their profession by taking classes in nearby schools.

What’s the best thing your non-profit has done for Jamaica Plain?
This is a place of life for residents. More people are abandoned in their own homes than in nursing places. Here we give them a chance to be part of a community. At Goddard House seniors are engaged in a lot of classes, they form friendships with diverse people, and we’ve even seen romantic relationships develop. This is a place where seniors will never be abandoned. Our staff is consistent, professional, and really cares about their well-being. Our doors are open at all times for family members. We know everyone has different work schedules, so if someone wants to come visit their family late at night or early in the morning, they can. We are very accessible to the community.

Goddard House is located at 201 South Huntington Ave. in Jamaica Plain.