Six months ago Alison Dolan and Katie Kretas packed up and cleaned out their desks at MVES. Thankfully, they weren't leaving us...just relocating! Now, as MVES resident service coordinators, they hold down the fort offsite at three supportive housing sites in Melrose. As two of MVES's seven resident service coordinators, Alison and Katie are onsite and accessible to building residents to offer information, advice, support, and fun activities too!

Editor: What are your major responsibilities as resident service coordinators?

Katie: Like a regular care manager, we're responsible for coordinating the care and services of MVES clients. Plus, we're also available to the residents who aren't MVES clients, should they need our assistance. We do outreach in our buildings to make sure that MVES services are available to everyone who wants them and is eligible. There's also an activities and recreation planning part of the job.

A quick glance around Jackie Wattenberg’s living room reveals a lot about the 85-year-old Melrose resident. The piano says she’s into music. The framed paintings indicate her interest in art, and the books upon books upon books show her reverence for the written word. But Wattenberg is more than just interested in music, art, and writing—she’s passionate about them.

“Yes, I’m a passionate person,” said Wattenberg. “I’m passionate, most of all, about peace and about music and art.”

Wattenberg’s reference to her passion for peace was demonstrated through the publication of her first book, We’ve Got To Stop Our Wars—Or Else!, in April 2008. The book, which was self published under her pen and maiden name Jacqueline Taylor, details a theme that has been of interest to her for most of her life. “I’ve been protesting our wars for fifty years,” said Wattenberg. “To get my message across, I put it in writing.”