Join MASS to engage with other staff from Senior Centers across Minnesota at our Annual Conference.

Here are some of our fun pictures and speakers from our 2024 conference.

Thank you to our guest speakers:

Colleen Fritsch: Dementia Friends

Colleen Fritsch has spent the last two decades of her career in aging services. She worked to engage community members in understanding, engaging and supporting the older adults in our communities. As part of this work, six years ago, Colleen became trained as a Dementia Friend Champion, helping Minnesota become a Dementia Friendly state. She has become a Dementia Friends Master Trainer, helping train other Champions nationwide to make this a Dementia Friendly USA.

Paul R. Blom: Understanding the Older LGBT Community and its Unique Needs & Barriers

Locally and nationally known advocate for older adults and the LGBTQ+ community, Paul received his Bachelor of Arts from Luther College and coursework toward his Master of Divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary. Since 2001, Paul and his husband, Bob, have owned and operated Right at Home – In-Home Care & Assistance for seniors in the Twin Cities. Paul was among the founding board members of Training to Serve, the curriculum to train senior service providers on the unique needs and barriers of the aging LGBT Community. Paul is also a member of the boards of the Minneapolis Area Senior Workers Association, the Fall Aging Conference, and Avenues for Youth, USA.