“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” is a quote from Helen Keller that describes the mission of Community Services of Greater Brockton. This interagency organization, established in 1975, promotes communication and cooperation between human services providers and professionals in the Greater Brockton area.
At their Annual Award Dinner on June 7, 2017, OCES was delighted to receive a number of awards acknowledging the work that we do in our community and for our consumers. Sandy Ivers, Lynn Smith, and our Senior Care Options Program were among the night’s awardees. 
Christine McLaren, OCES Community Programs Director, introduced Sandy Ivers, Nutrition Supervisor, who received the Excellence in Volunteer Services Award for her 16 year commitment to helping produce our cable show, Community Options. This cable show is entirely volunteer led and provides information about programs and services available to the community in the greater Brockton area. Lynn Smith, OCES Development Manager, received the Excellence in Leadership Award for her efforts to bring community organizations together to work cooperatively and establish new events and programs that benefit the whole community. The Little Free Library Program, the Stride Toward Freedom History Path in the Frederick Douglass Community Garden, and her founding of the Keith Park Neighborhood Association are all programs mentioned as ways to engage and connect neighborhoods. Our Senior Care Options (SCO) program was awarded the Outstanding Human Services Award. Glenda DeVincentis, MassHealth Community Programs Director, presented the award to Betty DosSantos, SCO and OCP Program Manager, who represented the SCO team of over 30 colleagues. As the award was presented, special note was made of our emphasis on cultural competency, interpreter and language skills availability and our focus on promoting wellness. The OCES Chronic Disease Self-Management Program earned particular mention for its positive impact.
OCES is delighted and humbled by this recognition of our commitment to our consumers and our community.