Leadership Changes at Ashland Senior Services Division
Ashland Senior Services Superintendent, Isleen Glatt, will be retiring on January 5, 2024, after over five years of service. She was the first Superintendent hired when Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission created the Senior Services Division in 2018 to better meet the needs of Ashland’s growing and diverse senior population. The Division offers services for older adults and their families; hosts a variety of free or low-cost recreation, fitness, social and education opportunities activities at Ashland Senior Center and other locations; and works with community partners to address senior needs. Isleen Glatt
“It has been very rewarding to oversee the reinvention of Senior Services in Ashland over the last 5+ years,” Glatt says. “I am especially grateful for the privilege of working with our Coordinator Natalie Mettler to co-create welcoming, effective services and vibrant programming for Ashland seniors.”
The Division’s accomplishments include:
Building extensive partnerships with other agencies to increase support and opportunities for older adults.
Recruiting business sponsors to offset costs, to be able to offer more free events and activities on a limited budget.
Expanding programming, education and events to serve diverse audiences.
Creating a food pantry for patrons of Ashland Senior Center in collaboration with Ashland Community Food Bank.
Making Ashland Senior Center a more welcoming space with updated interior paint, flooring, deck, bike parking and program furniture.
Obtaining grant funding to install acoustic panels to make hearing better indoors and to build a new activity space outdoors.
Providing extensive special services during the COVID-19 pandemic to support older adults isolated by the shut-down.
Offering special vaccination clinics to overcome access barriers for older adults in Ashland.
Interim Parks Director Leslie Eldridge comments, “I am so impressed by the quality of services available to community seniors. Isleen Glatt and Natalie Mettler have done outstanding work building partnerships, expanding programs and updating the facilities.” Natalie Mettler
To ensure continued excellent services for the Ashland senior community until permanent hirings can be completed in 2024, Natalie Mettler will be appointed Interim Senior Services Superintendent. Mettler has worked for the Senior Services Division since 2017 and was promoted to Senior Services Coordinator in 2018. She has a gift for leadership and for working with all kinds of people. Mettler shifted to public service from a background in academia because of her passion for serving the community, particularly older adults. She says, “I am grateful to be able to work in a place and with people that give such meaning to my life. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in this new role.”
In addition, Shannon Holt has moved from the Recreation Division to the Senior Services Division to learn the Senior Services Coordinator role. Holt will become Interim Senior Services Coordinator when Mettler steps into the Interim Superintendent role.
Glatt adds, “I am confident that Mettler’s leadership will make it a seamless transition for our patrons and partners. I know that the team will continue to improve programming and services to meet evolving community needs.” To learn more about the Senior Services Division and Ashland Senior Center, visit AshlandSeniorServices.org or call 541.488.5342.
CONTACT:
Leslie Eldridge, Interim Director
Ashland Parks and Recreation
541.552.2251
