The one star is intended to represent my positive opinion that volunteers at Minuteman who help in…read morethe Lexington senior center dining area and elsewhere are doing a good job and work hard. The lack of any other stars is intended to represent my negative opinion of other aspects of Minuteman under the direction of its current leader Kelly Magee Wright. My two firsthand experiences with a service of this agency were very inconsistent. One time this agency followed state law and there were no problems; another time they did not follow state law -- and the result was a lot of problems. The worst memory I have as a result of this agency is one "care worker" arriving inside our locked apartment building somehow, unexpectedly, without any prior written notice, along with two lawyers, a man and a woman; all three of these people were strangers to my elderly mom and me. They then demanded my mom and me open the apartment door, which we did not, since we had no idea who these people were. We were not expecting them, and did not know what they wanted. Again, they sent no written notice in the US Mail, even though such is required by state law. After we did not open the apartment door to these strangers, here is what happened: 1) Someone (one of the Minuteman strangers), called the local police. 2) A false police report was made to the police, falsely claiming there was an urgent emergency happening to an elderly person at this residential address -- when there was no urgent emergency. (My mom and I happened to be home that morning, even though almost every day she was attending an adult day care.) 3) The local police, being misled and deceived, rushed to our residence, promptly responding, they thought, to an urgent emergency -- and broke down our apartment door, making a forced entry into our home. (Yes. This really happened.) 4) The police then saw there was no urgent emergency -- and no emergency -- in our apartment. However, Minuteman Senior Services did succeed in doing this: terrorizing and traumatizing my elderly mom and me. All this happened after we had filed pro se a lawsuit in probate court making public this recent discovery on an unauthorized trust controlling my mom's money: a fake trustee. "Fake" because this Ameriprise Vice President Successor Trustee who claimed to me on email to have a certain professional designation did not actually have that designation, according to the national organization that keeps those records of who has such a designation, as I later learned. Consequently, because Minuteman Services broke down our apartment door after Minuteman made a false report to the local police, I do not recommend this organization. I do not recommend them for any services in the home or any services whatsoever. In my opinion, for what happened to us, and I don't know how many others who may too afraid to talk about it, was grounds for the immediate firing of Kelly Magee Wright and others. I can not help but conclude that since she has remained, the leadership there is immoral, uncaring, and not to be trusted. (Or ignorant.) Today I attended a presentation this organization made at the local senior center, and I could only think: there is really little to no value in this entity. Minuteman is a private non-profit getting state and federal funds but I believe now: it's an organization that should be eliminated completely, except for the volunteers working on dining and meals. Minuteman claims they can provide you with resources, but with a computer, you can find most of these resources yourself, since all Minuteman does most of the time is: refer you elsewhere ("We have 75 contracted vendors.") Well, today we have internet search engines that can locate resources which could not be easily located 50 years ago when this agency and others like it first arrived on the scene. But times have now changed. And, as for the Adult Protective "Services" they claim to offer (which seem to me, in my experience, to more closely resemble Domestic Terrorism "services" -- available for hire, perhaps -- to those who wish to abuse caregivers and the elderly, in retaliation for when the innocent discover financial fraud, as my mom and I did), I would suggest: such a function be taken over by mental health professionals working with local police, so that police are not likewise abused by a false police report when strangers from Minuteman arrive unannounced at your home -- and very loudly break down your door. This type of visit terrorizes and traumatizes you, your mom and your neighbors, too. But Minuteman breaking down your door is not something that seems to bother Minuteman's leader, Kelly Magee Wright at all. (Perhaps if someday she is subject to her own employees' unannounced visits, she will think differently,) I have tried to be very polite in this review and stick to the facts. The facts above are, unfortunately, true. (And I have tried to keep my opinions to a minimum.)

I used to have a great Case Manager. He was replaced by a woman who is abrasive, condescending and…read morehas told me she is too busy to have to deal with my issues. The Meals on Wheels people are wonderful as is the Laundry Service. Minuteman has an agreement with a cleaning agency that cares more about the profit , around $30/hour, than the quality of cleaners they are sending out.

Opportunities day treatment sucks. One time I was suffering a nervous breakdown in the program. I…read moretold them what was going on with me and they sent me to this empty room. I was crying hysterically and waited and waited for somebody to come talk to me but nobody came. When I was able to calm down I finally left and went back to the main area and the director bitched at me for leaving the room without permission. I later found out that was the tantrum room they put me in where they put people with poor social skills when they throw a tantrum. I ended up having to go into the hospital. I gave the Edinburgh center 2 stars but opportunities day treatment in of itself definitely gets 1 star.

Staff pay more attention to a slug crawling on a wall than me. They totally insult me by calling me…read more"stupid" and "incompetent" while at the same time expect me to do everything myself without any assistance whatsoever. Total lack of communication and competence towards anyone but each other. It appears seeing me is a chore for staff. I can and have gotten better results talking to the rear end of a 1980 Pontiac phenoix to put it bluntly, and I didn't need to drag anyone else into it either. I just literally shoved that one, much like I would like to do with the way I get treated and even have had the staff STEAL from MY disability check to give money to another CLIENT!!! STAY/RUN AS FAR AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!!!!!!!

I was admitted to Operation ABLE's Work/Study program a few years ago in my late Sixties. I was not…read morelooking to get a Full Time Job but I did know I wanted to either learn some Technical Computer Skills which I never thought I would ever learn at my age so that I could do some part time work somewhere or a Home Business which definitely would need Excel, Word, and make Presentations. I also learned while there they had a 'Medical Terminology Course', which would feed my previous Army Medical background and learn more up to date terms for work at a Hospital or similar area. The many weeks I was there; with the absolutely patient, understanding, and very loving and talented 'Friends' made there; I have made my life ; because of Operation ABLE's Staff much more enjoyable; and made money I never dreamed of. Let us all support this program as long as God keeps us here. They will always be part of my Heart's 'Family' and I wish them well........ A Check is on the way. Well Deserved. Frank Pignone Stoneham Mass. Age 72 and as active as 40.......due to this program.

From the owner: Since 1982, Operation ABLE, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, has provided job seekers with training…read moreprograms and employment services. Our mission and passion is to empower our community of job seekers, the underemployed, those in career transition, and military veterans who need job support services to re-enter the workforce. We offer a variety of services including occupational and computer skills training, workshops, job search training and support, coaching and counseling, and some training programs offer internships.

There are just so many good things to say about this place that I'm not sure where to start…read more First, it is not a "shelter" in the typical sense of the word, and the staff and guests do not refer to it as a "shelter". They consider themselves a "community", and act as such. There are NO lines for anything at the WLP. The women are served their meals at their tables by volunteers, and their materials are bussed for them once they are done, unless they choose to self-bus. The food. Oh heavens! WLP prides itself on serving nourishing, FRESH food. Each meal will have all nutritional requirements met, and there is always a veggie option. We're not talking canned goods or sandwiches here, folks. No, this is chopped and diced fresh veggies, prime cut meats, the finest ingredients. If you're a good cook and after you've volunteered a few times, they are happy to let you get in the kitchen and help whip up stuff. The resident chef there, Gina, is wonderfully creative in the kitchen (and very nice), and from time to time, other professional chefs from local restaurants come in to put together a meal. The WLP isn't jsut a food place, although that's the highlight of the day. It also provides the women with full time advocacy support to help with finding housing, food, or other services. There is a computer room/resource room that the ladies may use. There is also a nap room where women can go to get sometimes some much needed rest, and also a quiet room for just some peace, solitude, and maybe reading or reflecting. Women are also able to get various toiletries and clothing that they may need. They may do their laundry and take showers. The Program Manager, Heather (also very, very nice and competent) has done a great job of making sure that there are interesting activities for guests if they choose to participate: yoga, painting, field trips, knitting, etc. Since the WLP is run as a "community", the staff are INCREDIBLY patient with the women, and if a guest is being disorderly or breaking a rule, she is not immediately tossed out, but is counseled and given more than one opportunity to redeem herself by correcting her behavior. Throwing someone out is a last option at the WLP. WLP treats its volunteers as the valuable commodity we are. We are appreciated, thanked, and made to feel a part of the "team". Added Perk: They also have really incredible volunteer thank you events! I enjoy volunteering here. I learn something new and meet new people each time I go. I don't have a lot of spare time to volunteer, but when I do, the WLP gets me all the time, every time. It's important to know that this place could not be so great without us- the community at large supporting it through donations, volunteering, contributions, etc. The staff, Regina, Linda, Joanna, Lauren, Linnie, and Cheryl are terrific- go meet them! This is just a wonderful, wonderful place. You will not leave here without your heart being touched in some way.

Just to add to the great review by Adrienne -- The Women's…read moreLunch Place is an amazing community run by dedicated and caring people. I've volunteered there many times, and the experience was wonderful. The staff is as open, kind and welcoming to volunteers as they are to their ladies. The ladies? Wow. Having the opportunity to really get to know some of the women in this community is a real blessing. The WLP is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Try it out!

I took in a King size wool blanket and when I got home noticed that the price was $50. I called 5…read moreother dry cleaners and their prices were $24.22 (Anton's) to $31. I explained the differences to Lapels and they merely told me what a superb job they did, removing fluff, etc. I told them I did not expect to return

There are a *lot* of competing dry cleaners in the Bedford area (one is right across the street),…read morebut I consistently give my business to Lapels. I like the environmentally friendly aspect, but even more, I like the friendly service of Paul Sickorez and his staff. He's always been willing to do whatever he can to get my laundry back ASAP, and they're one of the few e-mail lists I have on my name on. (This despite the fact that we don't live in the area.)

Extremely rude, if they were not govt workers or they would definitely be out of business and out…read moreof a job. I went in to open a po box, greeted the staff and said I was interested in a po box. Staff reply, "What about it?" I replied I would like to open a po box, a staff member shoved a form at me and walked into the back. That's part 1. I filled out the form and brought my drivers license to a large, heavy set white woman. I opened a pdf of my insurance on my phone- 2 required documents. She said she needed a paper form, so I left went to my car and retrieved the registration. She, then, said she wouldn't accept my valid US driver's license because the address was different. None of these requirements are on the actual form, but fine. I show her an employee id- no expiration date. She insists I go home and get a passport or my military id!!! After each new "requirement", she walks off to the back and pretends I'm not there anymore. I have had po boxes at several post offices including this location, for years- never had an issue actually opening the box with valid id. I did have issues with them losing mail, not being open as advertised, and never answering their phone. I'm filing a complaint, not that I expect much to come of it, but people like her is why this area has such a wonderful reputation. My only consolation is that she is probably a deeply miserable person, to feel the need treat people this way.

This post office is great. The people are friendly, our mailman gives our dog biscuits and plays…read moreball with her, and I have never had any problem with the service. They hold our mail when we're away, and always get it right. Our mailman even took the "away" slip for us once because we were late getting it in. All around a nice group of professional people.