When Milagros got the keys to her apartment at the Methuen Housing Authority in the fall of 2025, it marked the end of a housing search that took years. It was also the first time in her life she had a place to really call her own. In her 68 years, life has thrown a lot of curveballs at her. But she finally found a safe, stable place to live thanks to the support of AgeSpan Community Health Worker Maria Arias.
“She’s experienced a lot of trauma, but she’s a go-getter. Every time I brought her a housing application, she filled it out right away,” Maria says. “I knew I had to keep watching out for her. Being a community health worker means providing continuous support.”
Maria first learned about Milagros at a community health fair when a local lawmaker asked her if AgeSpan could help with her situation. Milagros was living with her daughter, but the two weren’t getting along, and Milagros was battling depression. To start, Maria helped her find a rented room and then got to work trying to address her other needs.
Rooted in community
Community health workers are deeply rooted in the neighborhoods they serve, sharing the same language, ethnicity, and life experiences as the people they support. They work to provide culturally appropriate health information and establish relationships with individuals and their families to understand their needs in a broader sense. AgeSpan proudly serves as a hub for the Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) program, funded by MassHealth, to help individuals and families facing food and housing insecurity. Community health workers are at the heart of this effort, providing personalized support and connection to vital resources. Through the Healthy Living Center of Excellence, AgeSpan is investing in its people to create lasting impact and promote healthier, more stable communities.
“Community health workers serve as a bridge,” says Healthy Living Center Director Melissa Cloutier. “They talk to consumers in their own language, and they understand where they’re coming from. They do an assessment, then hold the consumer’s hand and walk them through the steps to access resources.”
As a Spanish speaker who has connections throughout the area, Maria can work closely with older adults and their families to help them access assistance from AgeSpan and other community organizations.
“I saw the struggles my family went through, not being able to speak the language, so I’ve always wanted to work with people to overcome those barriers,” Maria says. “Many of our elders, especially in the Spanish-speaking community, are illiterate. So, filling out applications or knowing where to go, they need help.”
Continuing support
For Milagros, the support went beyond paperwork. Maria helped her find a doctor and helped with other basic needs, like taking her shopping for bedding and towels. She worked with Milagros on a continuing basis, supporting her search for more permanent housing. To help her feel less isolated, Maria encouraged her to become more involved in her community. She now volunteers with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at AgeSpan, providing Spanish translation.
“She used to be a journalist in her home country, and her Spanish is perfect,” Maria says. “She’s been a great volunteer for the SMP, and it’s been really good for her mental health.”
Community health workers play a vital role in building trust and improving access to care, which is core to AgeSpan’s mission and vision of a future where everyone can choose to live and age well, in communities that support them. For Milagros, Maria’s steady support has made all the difference.
“To truly support our elders, we should be doing whatever it takes,” Maria says. “They have AgeSpan on their side. It’s what we have always done.”
