2Life Communities

10/20/2026

Aging in place has long been considered the ideal way to grow older. But what drives that preference, and could other options better meet the needs behind it? Take a closer look at one of the most deeply held assumptions about aging.

Aging in place has challenges. But are older adults open to other options?

10/15/2026

We’re proud to announce that Emily Levine is the 2026 recipient of LeadingAge Massachusetts' Emerging Leader Award!

LeadingAge Massachusetts is an association dedicated to supporting the work of not-for-profit aging service providers. The Emerging Leader Award honors someone who has taken on new leadership responsibilities, built strong relationships, and advanced a shared vision within their organization.

Prior to Emily moving into the chief of advocacy role in 2024, 2Life had no formal advocacy function. Recognizing the need to address the root causes of economic instability and social isolation among seniors, she built the advocacy function from the ground up.

Emily has changed not only what 2Life does but also how we understand our role in the world. In just a few years, she has fundamentally elevated 2Life's presence in public policy: helping secure approximately $7 million in federal and state funds, transforming our relationships with elected officials, and activating residents to change and inform the policy landscape.

Just as importantly, Emily has helped 2Life recognize that our responsibility does not end with providing excellent housing and services to the people who live in our communities. We can and must help change the systems and policies that shape the lives of older adults everywhere.

Congratulations, Emily, and thank you for your extraordinary work!

📸: Tom Godfrey (photos 1 and 2)

10/14/2026

Introducing The Creative Studio at 2Life, a new public-facing studio, gallery, arts venue, and shop at 2Life’s Brighton Campus!

When 2Life built J.J. Carroll House in Brighton, we included 1,000-square-foot retail space with the idea that residents would help shape its future.

Through focus groups and creative visioning sessions, residents helped turn that blank space into The Creative Studio. The studio will be home to a wide range of creative pursuits — think visual arts, music, dance, and writing — and create opportunities for residents and members of the wider community to connect across generations.

“This is a space we never could have imagined when we built this building,” said Lizbeth Heyer, president and Saul and Gitta Kurlat chief executive officer of 2Life. “Now, it’s better than we would ever have dreamed was possible.”

Last week, we celebrated the grand opening with creativity in action. We’re excited to see what The Creative Studio will become, and we welcome partnerships with organizations interested in bringing creative programming to our community.

10/13/2026

We're thrilled to share that 2Life's Leland House in Waltham won the 2026 Phius Passive Projects Design Competition award in the Low-Rise Multifamily category.

For us, sustainable design is about more than energy efficiency. Our approach prioritizes affordable homes where older adults can enjoy comfortable temperatures, healthy indoor air, and lower energy costs, while reducing our environmental impact.

This year is the second year in a row that 2Life is celebrating this award. Last year, J.J. Carroll House won in the High-Rise Multifamily category.

We're proud to see our approach recognized on a national stage, and we’re grateful to our incredible project partners, including PCA, Dellbrook, Stantec, and New Ecology.

The annual competition recognizes outstanding Phius Certified Passive House projects across North America.

10/08/2026

When we talk about food insecurity, we tend to focus on whether people can afford groceries. But for older adults, the cost of food is only part of the picture.

Ensuring that older adults can afford food is fundamental to combatting food insecurity. However, so is understanding what it takes to turn that food into a nutritious meal.

10/08/2026

We had a wonderful morning welcoming Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-3) and State Representative Dan Sena to Shirley Meadows in Devens!

Residents shared what they love about their community, spoke about the importance of continued and deepened investment in programs that help older adults live and thrive, and gave our guests a firsthand look at the community they call home.

We’re grateful to Congresswoman Trahan and Representative Sena for taking the time to listen, learn, and engage directly with our residents. Thank you for sharing our commitment to a future where every older adult has access to an affordable home and the opportunity to age with dignity, connection, and joy.

10/07/2026

Stay connected to fresh thinking on aging, housing, community, and what it takes for older adults to live well. Twice a month, get ideas, stories, and expert insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Ideas, stories, and expert insights straight to your inbox.

10/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that Lizbeth Heyer has started her new role as President and Saul and Gitta Kurlat Chief Executive Officer of 2Life Communities. Lizbeth has been with the organization since 2014 and has shaped its growth across three fronts: real estate development, healthcare integration, and innovation in middle-market housing, including the development, acquisition, and modernization of more than 1,000 subsidized apartments. She replaces Amy Schectman, who retired after 16 years of inspiring leadership.

“Leading 2Life Communities at such a pivotal moment is an extraordinary privilege,” Lizbeth said. “Our organization is dedicated to empowering older adults and strengthening our communities. I look forward to building on our strong foundation alongside our incredible team, partners, and residents to create even more joyful, vibrant, inclusive, and supportive affordable housing options for seniors.”

2Life Communities serves more than 2,100 residents at 12 properties spread across seven campuses in Massachusetts. For more than 60 years, the organization has created affordable communities designed not only for safety and accessibility but for dignity and belonging. They are places where older adults can thrive, surrounded by extensive health and wellness services, engaging programs, and endless opportunities for social connection.

Read the full press release on our website.

10/02/2026

Research has proven that isolation and loneliness negatively affect both physical and mental health. 2Life takes a multifaceted approach to wellness with programs and services that address mental, physical, spiritual, cultural, and economic needs with the goal of allowing residents to stay in their communities as long as possible.

Thanks to the generous support of the Age Strong Commission, we’re expanding our behavioral health and wellness services on Brighton Campus, with a focus on offerings in Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.

10/01/2026

We tend to talk about aging in terms of what people may need: housing, healthcare, support.

But here's a question that most of us don't ask ourselves: How will I spend an ordinary Tuesday afternoon when I'm 85?

Housing, healthcare, and support are all things that matter. But we also need connection: people to grow old with and a place where we belong.