Cape Cod & Islands SHINE Program Honors Volunteers and Community Supporters at Annual Celebration
By: Kristina M. Whiton-O’Brien, LICSW, SHINE Program Manager, Barnstable County Human Services
On Monday, June 2, 2025, the Cape Cod & Islands SHINE Program proudly celebrated the dedication of more than 70 volunteers from across the region who successfully completed their annual SHINE recertification exam. The event, held at the Dennis Center for Active Living, was a highlight of the spring and recognized the invaluable contributions of these volunteers to the community.
This year’s celebration also marked a special milestone: the introduction of the “Friend of SHINE” award, honoring a community volunteer who, while not a certified SHINE counselor, has provided exceptional support to the program. Martha Leblanc of the Dennis Council on Aging was the inaugural recipient, recognized for her many years of service in scheduling SHINE appointments and triaging calls at the Center.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Mandi Speakman, Deputy Director of the Barnstable County Department of Human Services, who spoke about the Healthy Aging Cape Cod initiative and its flagship program, Age and Dementia Friendly Cape Cod. SHINE is an active partner in this initiative, supporting its volunteer workgroup and mission.
The event was further distinguished by the presence of Kathy Grant, State SHINE Assistant Director, who brought greetings from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence. She expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for their time, commitment, and expertise. During July to December 2024 alone, the Cape Cod & Islands Regional SHINE program helped local residents save a remarkable $351,842.05 by assisting with Medicare Part D prescription plan comparisons and enrollments—an average savings of $2,199.01 per person. The region also led the Commonwealth in the number of satisfaction surveys returned.
The SHINE Program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) provides free, unbiased health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents on Medicare and their caregivers. SHINE counselors play a vital role in helping beneficiaries and their families navigate the often complex world of health insurance. They simplify complicated information, compare costs and benefits, and guide individuals in choosing the best health insurance plan for their needs. Counselors also assist those with limited resources by screening and enrolling them in programs designed to help cover health insurance costs.
If you have questions about Medicare or would like to speak with a SHINE counselor, please contact the Barnstable County SHINE office at 508-375-6762.
Recipient of the ‘Friend of SHINE’ Award
