The American Lebanese Awareness Association (ALAA) honored Joan Hatem-Roy, the Chief Executive Officer of AgeSpan.
Held at its annual Scholarship Awards Dinner, ALAA said Joan Hatem-Roy embodies the values of her culture after growing up in a Lebanese-American household, as she has been working to improve the lives of the elderly in Northeastern Massachusetts for more than 35 years.
As CEO of AgeSpan, Hatem-Roy has collaborated with hundreds of healthcare staff to help older adults keep their highest levels of independence, health, and safety.
As a private and nonprofit agency, AgeSpan has been connecting people of all ages and their caregivers with information, quality services, and advocacy. The agency is one of 25 Massachusetts Aging Services Access Points (ASAP) and one of 21 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).
This is not the first time that the Lebanese-American gets honored. She was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in 2021.
During the recent event, ALAA has also awarded about $1.3 million in scholarships to students of Lebanese descent, including 15 awards worth $26,000.
Founded in 1984 to maintain the proud legacy of Lebanon’s rich cultural history, the American Lebanese Awareness Association has been endeavoring ever since to preserve the Lebanese customs and passed them on to future generations.
The organization has been also supporting the local Lebanese diaspora to achieve their highest aspirations, as part of its mission.