AgeSpan celebrated the accomplishments of the past year and honored five exceptional older adults at the Annual Luncheon and Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards event. More than 275 people attended the gathering, which took place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA.  

Our Inspiring Lifelong Learning Honorees included Pastor José Estrada of Haverhill, John Hamilton of Salem, Robert Kinsman of Billerica, Diane Ellyane Klein of Newburyport, and Jacoba Olivero of Lawrence. They were selected from a large pool of nominees as examples of resilience, reinvention, and lifelong curiosity. 

Meet our honorees in this video: 

“These awards embody AgeSpan’s commitment to helping people live vibrant, purposeful lives at every stage of life,” said Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer of AgeSpan. “We are thrilled to spotlight these remarkable individuals who are not only enriching their own lives but also inspiring those around them to keep learning and dreaming.” 

Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn gave the keynote address at the celebration, noting that the honorees, like AgeSpan, understand that there is value, power and potential in every age and every stage of life – especially when we use our value, power, and potential on behalf of the common good. You can read more from Dr. Glenn’s remarks on his Northern Essex Community College Running the Campus blog. 

Following the event, we were humbled by a generous gift from an anonymous donor made in honor of all the older adults nominated for a Lifelong Learning Award. Their kindness reflects the spirit of the day and the impact that lifelong learning has in our communities. 

This holiday season, you can honor a lifelong learner in your life with a year-end gift that supports older adults as they continue to grow and thrive. 

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us to help make this year’s Annual Luncheon and Inspiring Lifelong Learning Awards such a meaningful and memorable celebration. The dedication and support of our staff, volunteers, providers, community-based organizations, and others are what makes our work possible. 

Click here to see our event photo gallery