Induction Year:2025
Mary Lee Anderson is the Executive Director of Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) and is responsible for all staff supervision, budgeting, contract management and organization compliance issues. But beyond the job description as her nomination states, “She has redefined how our city uplifts and cares for our senior citizens. Her vision has allowed more senior adults to age in place with dignity, security and a sense of belonging.”
Anderson was hired by SSA in 2011 as the Director of SSA’s Senior Resource Center. “My job was to start a program database about what services were available to seniors in Alexandria.” After it was completed she decided it would be great to distribute this in a public forum so now September-June, SSA has public events to share the information, featuring different speakers and topics each month. “People are better informed, and we know they take advantage of a number of the opportunities available.”
Two years later Anderson was in charge of SSA and as she explains “responsible for the overall health and well-being of this 57-year-old agency with an annual operating budget exceeding $1.1 million.
Anderson says when she began, “I looked at what was available for seniors in Alexandria and the gaps in services.” Over the last twelve years, she has tackled the needs, one by one, and created programs to serve them.
In addition to the ongoing familiar Meals on Wheels, Groceries to Go delivery, and Paratransit Call Center she began looking at other areas of need. One of the new programs put in place was the Friendly Visitor program which was designed to combat senior isolation through consistent, meaningful social connection. Anderson says, “Their physical needs are met, but many seniors feel lonely and lack social contact.” The program pairs seniors with volunteers for regular visits. The program has grown through building relationships with the community. Anderson says, “connections are important—building relationships with other non-profits.”
An outgrowth of the Friendly Visitor Program is the Friendly Callers program which became fully operational in June 2025. Anderson explains some people don’t feel comfortable with a visit so the telephone call can bring connection to people who live alone or lack social connection. Carefully trained volunteers provide a well-being check or a longer chat during the time period convenient for the senior during designated hours.
Another SSA program initiated by Anderson is the Senior Ambassador program which is designed to train volunteers who stay up-to-date on city programs and services available to seniors. The Ambassadors reach out into the community to communicate that information in many different creative ways. In recognition of the evolving demographics of the city, 24 bilingual ambassadors speaking Spanish and Amharic have been added to reach culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
SSA not only serves seniors who come to them but it also reaches out to where the seniors live and tailors the program to their needs. Anderson says as a first step SSA has created a hub at Claridge House, home to many Amharic-speaking residents. They offer a number of programs on a regular basis including exercise classes, vision screenings and health activities. SSA is planning to expand this program to other residential buildings. MaryAnne Beatty says, “Mary Lee has taken the organization to a new level of support by developing new programs and reaching out to the various populations across the city that are sometimes overlooked and underserved.”
Anderson came to SSA after what was already a life full of commitment acting as caregiver to her mother and mother-in-law where she says she first saw the need for senior citizens.
She spent nearly 20 years with an international telecommunications company “where I went through 7 mergers in 10 years.” Then she took a break for some years to raise two daughters who live locally. And then the offer from SSA came. She thought “why not?”
“I love this job. I’m in a job I’m well qualified for, and I can make a difference in people’s lives. When they don’t know where to turn, I know where to connect them. One of the things I’m proud of is people come to us and they know we’ll help.”
Anderson was a member of the Alexandria Commission on Aging from 2013-2023 where she chaired the Economic Development Committee, is currently a Deacon at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House where she has been a member for almost 40 years. She is currently an active member of the Alexandria Rotary Club, and Alexandria’s Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Alexandria’s Council of Human Services Organizations, the Steering Committee of the partnership for a Healthier Alexandria and was a member of the Steering Committee for the recently completed Community Health Assessment.
James Paige explains,“Her influence extends beyond the programs she oversees. She has changed the culture of how we view aging. Simply put she has made Alexandria a better, more humane city.”
By Shirley Ruhe
Photo Credit:Steven Halperson/Tisara Photography