Stories of Older Adults Making a Difference in West Michigan
When people talk about aging, the conversation often focuses on what changes, and sometimes that can feel negative. Less often do we talk about the positive aspects of aging and what continues to grow: experience, wisdom, resilience, and the desire to give back and make a difference.
Across West Michigan, older adults strengthen our communities every day. They lead, volunteer, advocate, mentor, and help others stay active and engaged. Their stories remind us that aging is not about stepping aside. It is an opportunity to continue contributing, sharing our talents, and embracing new opportunities in every stage of life.
The following stories highlight just a few of the many ways older adults are continuing to make a lasting impact in our communities.
Leading Through Service
Ken Mahoney
For Ken Mahoney, service has been lifelong. A Montague native and retired high-school mathematics teacher, Ken spent 32 years helping students learn and grow, including 30 years at Holton High School. Retirement opened the door to new ways to serve.
Ken has served as a Muskegon County Commissioner, Montague City Council member, Board Chair of Senior Resources, and member of the Michigan State Advisory Council on Aging. His work has focused on quality-of-life issues, including food insecurity, environmental stewardship, and aging-related concerns.
One effort he is especially proud of is the restoration of White Lake. For 22 years, Ken worked alongside community leaders and partners to advocate for improvements that eventually led to White Lake being removed from the Great Lakes Areas of Concern list.
“I grew up here,” he says. “It mattered to me.”
Today, he continues informal kitchen table conversations with residents about issues that matter most to them.
“Don’t think of getting older as a negative. You have a lot to offer and a lot to give. Stay active and stay involved.”
Staying Strong and Connected
Francine Calandro
At 66, Francine Calandro has no plans to slow down. A certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, she has spent decades helping people improve their health, strength, and confidence through movement. A lifelong dancer, she once dreamed of being the next Richard Simmons, inspiring others to feel better about themselves while building healthier lives.
For 18 years, she worked with older adults through AgeWell Services, leading fitness classes that encouraged participants to stay active, build strength, and maintain independence through exercise. Although she retired in 2025, she continues teaching dancing and fitness classes.
Francine also continues to give back through Dancing with the Local Stars, where she has danced for years with a team to raise money for local food pantries.
Today, her clients range in age from their 60s to their 90s, and her classes are about more than exercise. They help people build strength, improve balance, prevent falls, stay connected, and continue doing the activities they enjoy.
“All small steps make a big difference,” Francine says.
Her advice is simple: “Keep moving, find activities you enjoy, and connect with others.” Classes, she says, provide a built-in buddy system and a place where people can support and encourage one another.
A Career Built Around Helping Others
Brian Bailey
For Brian Bailey, meaningful work has always centered on helping others. Brian recently celebrated his 62nd birthday and has spent more than 21 years helping older adults remain independent as a Supports Coordinator with Senior Resources of West Michigan.
Before entering aging services, Brian worked in manufacturing. When economic changes affected local jobs, he returned to college at age 36, earned a degree in Human Services at age 40, and began a career dedicated to helping others.
Today, Brian helps older adults access services and support to remain safely in their homes and communities. His career has been built around helping people maintain independence and quality of life.
“If I can make someone’s life a little better, a little easier, that’s where I feel gratified,” he says.
“This job is about touching lives. It allows me to wake up every morning and feel like I’ve made a difference.”
Giving Back in New Ways
Kenneth and Patricia McNeill
After distinguished careers in education, Kenneth and Patricia McNeill looked for ways to stay connected and continue serving others in retirement. Patricia retired as Assistant Superintendent of Holt Public Schools, while Kenneth served as Director of Special Education for Mason Public Schools after beginning as a history teacher.
For Patricia, service now happens through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, where she has helped Medicare beneficiaries for eight years.
“I really enjoy helping seniors make good decisions and solve problems with their Medicare plans,” Patricia says.
Kenneth found a meaningful role with AgeWell Services’ Senior Medical Transportation program, volunteering as a dispatcher and helping older adults get to medical appointments.
“It’s nice to be helpful and help people in need. It’s an extension of my career,” Kenneth says.
The couple volunteers through AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP, which connects volunteers with opportunities that match their skills and interests. Although their volunteer roles are different, both Kenneth and Patricia see service as a natural extension of the work they have done throughout their lives.
For both, volunteering is a continuation of careers spent helping others.
“We’ve both been in service our entire lives. It’s what we do. We enjoy giving back and staying involved in our community.”
Continuing to Move Forward
Their stories remind us that aging is not defined by what we leave behind, but by how we continue to grow, contribute, and connect with others. The opportunity to make a difference does not end at retirement. For many, it is simply the beginning of a new chapter.
