Golden Bridges now local office for Safe Moves for Seniors, which helps seniors relocate at no cost

QUINCY — Golden Bridges has become a local area office of Safe Moves for Seniors, a national nonprofit that relocates qualifying seniors in need at no cost.

When Golden Bridges formed in 2013, the owners knew they wanted to help seniors in the community with their transition needs. Even then, they wanted to find a way to help those who could not afford their services.

In a press release, Suzanne Ellerbrock, one of the company owners, said, “If we could have started as a not-for-profit organization, we would have loved the idea. That business model was not in use anywhere at the time.”

The owners started the journey two years ago to becoming a 501(c)(3) to help those in poverty move to better living conditions. While attending a national conference last year, they learned Jill Yesko Diana, a Senior Move Manager in Pennsylvania, had achieved this goal. They wanted to join her in the endeavor.

“This nonprofit is filling in a much-needed gap in our communities, and having qualified move managers like Golden Bridges to provide this service with compassion closes this gap,” Diana said. “The work that they are doing will go a long way to alleviate housing insecurity in Adams County.”

Susan Scholz, another Golden Bridges owner said 90 percent of seniors age in place by default, often meaning they live in unsafe conditions for their age and health. Safe Moves for Seniors helps these clients by making their homes safer to physically navigate by professionally decluttering and downsizing their possessions.

In the United States, more than 15 million adults age 65 and older are economically insecure with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Nancy Waters, the third owner of Golden Bridges said, “We have done consultations with seniors whom we knew would benefit from what we do but simply couldn’t afford our services. In the past, we have guided them to various helpers to meet some of their needs. Now, Safe Moves for Seniors will fill all their needs for a transition with respect and dignity.”

As a local area office of Safe Moves for Seniors, donations are being accepted beginning immediately. Seniors seeking the services must complete an online application process and meet financial thresholds to qualify.