2Life residents share their stories on Capitol Hill

On April 6th, four 2Life residents who had never met got on a plane to Washington, D.C. The only things they knew they had in common was that they lived in a 2Life apartment and that Emily Levine, Chief of Advocacy, had asked them to accompany her to Capitol Hill.

This group of residents and staff, which also included Veronica Baez, Executive Director of Shirley Meadows, had a whirlwind few days. In addition to attending the 2025 LeadingAge National Leadership Summit, they met with Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Rep. Katherine Clark and Taylor Smith, Tax and Economic Policy Advisor for Rep. Katherine Clark, and Arya Pindiprolu, on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office.

In each meeting with legislators, Emily shared background information about 2Life’s footprint, the myriad of funding and programs that directly or indirectly impact the lives of the residents in the meeting, and details about key policy proposals and legislation that could make a significant difference for seniors. But stories are the most powerful advocacy tool we have, and in each meeting, residents shared their own.

Patty MacDonald, Shirley Meadows

“2Life is a leader in a lot of ways. It’s more innovative than a lot of places. There’s a sense of community, even across campuses.”

Patty has been active in her community at every stage of her life. So when Emily asked her to travel to D.C. to speak to her legislators, she was curious about how advocacy happens on a national scale.

Patty was skeptical about how sharing her story would make a difference. But she left the meetings she had with legislators, where they sat down and talked about their experiences, feeling that she had really been heard. Legislators see the numbers and the statistics, but adding a name and a face helps them understand the issues in a different way.

The people Patty met in D.C., including the three 2Life residents that traveled with her, come from all walks of life. But they all have one thing in common: living in affordable housing. Knowing the subsidies for their housing are at risk, Patty felt it was important to show up with others in the same boat.

“The invitation to come made us feel relevant,” says Patty. “The experience energized us!”

Katherine Wilkins, Brown Family House

“I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant – meaning me.”

Katherine knows the work to ensure all older adults have a comfortable home they can afford is urgent. Every day in the United States, roughly 10,000 people turn 65. Family structures have changed, and the intergenerational family home that so many people before us depended on for care is no longer the norm.

To her, that means it is time for her to make certain that the people she elected to represent her are doing what she put them in office to do. She never wanted to be involved in politics, but now she sees it as her responsibility.

“What we’re doing is not only needed and necessary, but we need to step it up a little bit,” says Katherine. “We need to run a little faster than we’re running.”

Donna Ellis, Leland House 

“I spent my entire career as an aide in nursing homes and helping keep seniors there comfortable and healthy. I loved my job, but every day I worried that I would end up in a nursing home too. I didn’t want that, I don’t want that.

Donna has never been one to get engaged in politics. She is 67 and she has never paid close attention to political activity. So when Emily asked her to join her on the trip to D.C., she was hesitant. But she challenged herself to go anyway.

Donna lives in Leland House, the newest 2Life community. She is very happy to be here, but scared that she could lose her housing as quickly as she got it. In D.C., she got a new appreciation for the work that elected officials do to represent their constituents. She does not know what it will take to fix the problems that she and her neighbors face, but she firmly believes that no one should have to be afraid that their support systems will disappear.

"I am so grateful to live at Leland House. I can’t believe I get to live here, that I can afford it," says Donna. "I learned a lot on this trip, including just how lucky I really am.”

Danny Hunt, J.J. Carroll House 

“This is my first rodeo. But I'm sure it’s not going to be my last.”

Danny is an Army veteran who lives in the new J.J. Carroll House on the Brighton Campus. He has cancer, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center in his building, operated by Element Care, has been a game-changer for him. Having healthcare integrated into his housing, especially one run by such caring staff, opened his eyes and his heart to what is possible.

He left D.C. hungry to learn more and willing to put his boots on the ground. He is going to sit down with his neighbors to get more people involved, and his elected officials certainly will be hearing from him again.

“Element Care changed it all. I have all my medical records downstairs,” says Danny. “All I have to do is just come downstairs and everything is taken care of, which is a blessing.”

Legislative priorities

While a major focus of conversations with legislators and their staff was on the severe impact the reconciliation process could have on programs upon which seniors rely (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, HOME, Section 8, SNAP, to name a few), the group also raised up the importance of pushing forward to continue investing in sound policy and programs that help ensure more seniors have access to service-enriched, high quality, and adaptive community living environments like they do.  Specifically, they highlighted the importance of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA), funding for the Section 202 program, and the overall need for HUD funding to be sustained.  

Next steps 

The advocacy program at 2Life is stronger every day, as more residents prepare to speak out so that all seniors can have the opportunity to live in homes and communities like theirs.

But right now, the next step for the four residents coming back from D.C. is party planning. They are ready to build connections between all 2Life campuses, from Devens to Waltham to Brighton, because community is what makes this place special. The group is excited to bring more people together, and to do so in the name of building connections, as well as in service to the many older adults who also deserve to age in community.