Community Living Campaign

Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.

Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.

Deborah Finestone

Meet our Director of Neighborhood Networks, Lauren

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If you live in the Cayuga neighborhood, you may have already met Community Living Campaign’s Director of Neighborhood Networks, Lauren Bactad.

If not, you want to get to know her!

In the few months she’s been with us, Lauren said what’s surprised her most was how engaged and active our senior communities are.

“The outpouring of support between neighbors is heartwarming, as is the dedication felt from the staff,” she said.

For example, she needed a volunteer to help a community member and so many people were happy to raise their hand to help their neighbor.

“That’s what it’s all about — a core part of our mission — and that’s exactly what’s happening,” she added. “It’s such an exciting experience, to see that in action!”

Wanting Deeper Connections

Before joining our team, Lauren served at the YMCA of San Francisco. But when the pandemic hit, she — like many people — took the opportunity to reflect on her life. She realized that in her career, she wanted to help community members more directly, more hands-on. CLC was a great fit!

One of her favorite weekly responsibilities is delivering food from Project Open Hand to the Cayuga community.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight food insecurity during the pandemic but, it’s also a chance to connect with folks in the community,” Lauren said. “Each stop is filled with connection, stories, and seeing how people are doing. Building those relationships is so fulfilling.”

Part of Something Bigger

We all know CLC has lots of fun, light-hearted activities to allow participants to get to know others, build relationships, get some exercise and learn new things. Beyond that, Lauren appreciates that we also stand for important causes and support equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the City.

The recent Asian American Pacific Islander rally on the Great Highway stands out as a great example of that, she said.

“It was memorable to have experienced that important cause with team members,” Lauren said. “We’re all there to reach out to seniors and do good. Our team rallies together for great causes and supports each other endlessly.”

 

Want to see more of what our Community Connectors are up to? Join the CLC Facebook group here!

 

Bridging the Digital Divide in Unique Ways

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The need for more accessible and affordable technology to connect seniors and people with disabilities doesn’t end when the state officially opens.

Just because everyone is no longer sheltering in place doesn’t mean people — especially in underserved communities — don’t struggle with a lack of digital access, digital literacy, or tech support that have become so fundamental to our connected lives.

That’s why Community Living Campaign has partnered with the San Francisco Tech Council to regrant $50,000 in Equity and Innovation funding from Metta Fund to five community-based organizations that work to close the digital divide. We want to accelerate that work to decrease social isolation and improve wellness.

“We’re giving an opportunity to organizations that don’t have access to other funding so they can pilot ways to reduce social isolation and loneliness through tech access,” said Margot Rose Lederer, the equity and innovation pilot coordinator for the SF Tech Council.

“The pandemic was not all that different for some isolated seniors or adults with mobility challenges or who didn’t have access to transportation,” she said. “They always needed ways to connect to the world around them. It’s hard for them to attend things in person anyway, and that isn’t about to change.”

The whole grant process has also highlighted the need for multi-lingual tech training, so we’ve encouraged and supported groups that offer that.

Here are the organizations that received the grants.

Curry Senior Center

This group is funding Vietnamese-language digital literacy and tech training by lending tablets. This project focuses on the Tenderloin neighborhood, while the group also seeks to serve the LGBT community.

They’re providing tablets, training support and internet connectivity. They’re also expanding their digital resource programs for seniors.

Family Caregiver Alliance

They’re providing tablets, in-home support and internet connectivity for six months to Spanish-speaking caregivers. The goal is to improve health outcomes for the client as well as enable more professional learning and support for the caregivers. Caregivers have become especially isolated during the pandemic without the benefit of in-person and direct support.

“This group has struggled more with shifting to Zoom, in part because of their lack of tech,” Margot said. “Family caregivers also suffer from isolation and exhaustion due to the 24/7 nature of their roles.”

Felton Institute

“The focus here is on improving connectivity and access to health services for an often transient population,” Margot said. “That’s a challenge because it’s hard to keep in touch with people who move more than most.”

The Institute specializes in helping people with behavioral health challenges throughout the city; it’s in a good position to help this population.

Mission Neighborhood Center

This grant focuses on a small group of LatinX, Spanish-speaking seniors in the Mission District, partnering with health providers to improve wellness and fitness.

This group had exercise classes and health screenings before the pandemic. The grant enables them to integrate digital devices, like Fitbit step trackers. That lets individuals monitor themselves and keep up with their activities, Margot said.

Televisit

This nonprofit tech organization customizes tablets to make them simpler to use, targeting Chinese seniors. They’re also providing in-home support and internet connectivity. That makes it easier to participate in social activities and connect with family.

In particular, the tablets are designed for those with cognitive decline and linguistic, cultural and personal limitations.

Since receiving funding, this group has also incorporated classes on racism. The rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has increased the tension and fear, especially in the senior community.

“In these pilots, we’ve enabled groups to innovate and iterate as the project progresses if they see an additional service they can contribute,” Margot said.

 

To find out more about the SF Tech Council, visit their website.

Learn more about other ways CLC helps people connect through technology, read this.

Resilience is Buoyancy and Showing Up, Nicky Says

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Resiliency is buoyancy. It’s like those buoys you see off the coast, battered by powerful waves in storms, but they just don’t sink. They stay afloat. And they signal to others the line between safety and danger.

Resiliency is one of the qualities we’ve come to admire and appreciate so acutely in the last year. As May is Older Americans Month, we’re spotlighting a couple of Community Living Campaign staff members who have done a great job of demonstrating strength and resilience and what that means.

Nicky Trasvina, one of our Community Connectors, felt that some of the best examples of resiliency are the often unseen, underappreciated essential workers. They continued to step up and keep San Francisco running while most of us were able to shelter in place.

Leaders Feeding Neighbors

Another great example of resiliency are community leaders, like the handful in the Mission who provided food to about 3,000 families each week.

“This continues as an amazing, tremendous undertaking by local leaders in that community, including Roberto Hernandez, Valerie Tolier, Tracy Brown, Ray Ponce and others,” Nicky said. “They created the space and tapped all their resources to get hundreds of pounds of food donated each week. It was such an abundance of food that would have otherwise gone to waste.”

She’s grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the operation, picking up leftover food supplies from donors to be distributed by other volunteers.

Nicky also sought ways to help neighbors and friends in small ways, like bringing them things they needed.

Acting generously also relieved some of the feelings of helplessness so many of us felt. So she also gave financially to some organizations she cares about, following the old adage to “put your money where your mouth is!”

Strength in Prayer

And through it all, one of her primary sources of strength has been prayer.

“Depending on prayer gives me a lot of strength,” Nicky said. “And I think this helps others. I think people appreciate it when they know someone is praying for them. So when I say I’m going to pray for you, I just stop and say the prayer right then.”

She’s also found more connection by reaching out to old friends, neighbors and former students since she was a college adviser. And not just by phone and text.

“It’s not unusual to find me standing out in my front yard talking to people who go by,” Nicky said. “I feel it’s part of my role in getting our neighbors connected. And it’s fun! I’m like the stereotypical old lady looking out through her blinds watching everything, but people like it!”

 

Read another profile of our Community Connector Laura Atkins.

Resilience Takes Confidence and Adaptability, Laura Says

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It’s worth taking a moment to celebrate just how resilient we’ve been in the last year. This is a key quality at healthy aging and thriving in life, and we’ve all been tested by COVID-19.

As May is Older Americans Month, we’re spotlighting a couple of our staff members who have done a great job of demonstrating strength and resilience and what that means.

“For me, resilience means having inner confidence and a belief in myself,” said Laura Atkins, our METCC Community Connector. “It means being able to adapt to changing circumstances, knowing where to find resources and being willing to ask for help and offer help.”

There are plenty of ways we’ve seen that play out since the pandemic made us all shelter in place. The business community adapted by offering more take-out and delivery services, she noted. Some restaurants even offering drinks to go!

Getting on Zoom

All the participants in Community Living Campaign’s activities on Zoom also deserve applause. They embraced the often awkward and unfamiliar experience of trying a new way to be part of exercise classes, musical performances and art programs.

Indeed, that exercise is part of what Laura says has helped her feel strong through this period.

“Keeping to a healthy lifestyle as much as possible — eating well, exercising and spending time with friends and family — is a big part of how I continue to feel strong and resilient,” she said.

“I’ve also been pushing myself physically by walking up the hills and stairs of Bernal Hill and meeting with friends outside to swim at Aquatic Park. That helps support my mental strength as well and keeping a positive mindset.”

Laura also helps others stay connected to each other by co-hosting an ongoing program we named — appropriately — Community Tales!

Calling & Writing Cards

Beyond CLC, she helps support others to feel strong and resilient by calling and writing cards and then listening. We all need to feel heard.

A fun tradition she’s formed is having Zoom dinners with friends.

“One of my best friends and I turn on Zoom while cooking, talk and then sit down to share the same dinner we each made separately.”

Throughout it all, she’s actually been able to reconnect with some old friends and has seen those friendships get stronger.

“I’ve also been able to build connections with new friends, particularly in the CLC neighborhood,” Laura said. “My walking area has grown as well. I now walk (masked) with a new friend in the METCC neighborhood. Big hills and walking friends are found all over San Francisco.”

 

Read another profile of our Community Connector Nicky Trasvina.

Connecting Neighbors with Tech Devices

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Church activities. Seeing your family, especially grandchildren. Spending time with friends. Taking exercise classes. Staying mentally active with community college classes. The list of reasons that neighbors want to use technology goes on and on.

That’s why we’re loaning devices like laptops and tablets to seniors over 60 and adults with disabilities who live in San Francisco.

“As active as I am in church and other activities I do, I need to know this,” said Dorothy Cook, who recently received a device. “It’s a need, not a want.”

She also runs a nonprofit preserving gospel music, but that hasn’t been working at all because she needs to learn technology better, she said. She’s also like to be better able to continue teaching children at church and get back to being more active with other nonprofits in her community.

Community Living Campaign’s Neighborhood Tech Connect program also offers training — not just the devices.

Help is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese via virtual help desks and classes as well as individually scheduled sessions.

Everything on Zoom

For Norma Block, one of her main tech challenges was not knowing how to do everything on Zoom or erase old emails.

But with her new laptop and some training, she now feels able to participate in Zoom classes offered by CLC, keeping up with email and Googling information.

“I also enjoy feeling connected to a city college literature classes and a Tibetan Buddhist organization which I belong to.”

Tech Training Classes

“I was trained by Peter Karpathakis once and found him to be kind, patient, articulate and encouraging,” Norma said.

Peter, the program manager of Neighborhood Tech Connect, and some of the other trainers go out of their way to help, said Dorothy, the church-going, gospel-loving participant.

For her, sometimes the classes have been a little too advanced for her understanding of the technology. But Liz Dunlap and Peter “have been very patient and go slow enough that I can learn. I like that they say there are no stupid questions.”

Getting these devices opens up a whole new world for some people, said Bethany Schwarz, the NTC Device and Access Project Director.

“Many seniors have watched others in the home, like their grandchildren or spouse, use technology throughout the pandemic to talk to people, play games, or watch cooking videos,” she said. “When I tell them they can get their OWN device, just for themselves to use, it’s as if, suddenly, a whole world has opened up around them. They get to imagine all the things they will be able to do. ‘I can take my exercise class? Will I be able to see my grandbaby?’

“It lights up my day to tell them, ‘Yes, you can do that. Yes! You can do that too!’”

Besides the devices and training, CLC can also help if your Internet connection is unreliable. We help participants determine the services needed and assist in applying for free or low-cost Internet service.

 

To find our upcoming tech classes in various languages, click here.

To learn more and see if you’re eligible, contact us at tech@sfcommunityliving.org or 415-821-1003, ext. 109.

Here’s How You Can Help Seniors Age at Home with Dignity

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Do you think San Francisco should spend more money on services to help older adults and adults with disabilities age at home?

We have an opportunity to encourage Mayor London Breed and the Board of Supervisors to restore the annual funding for those services, through the Dignity Fund, in the upcoming budget.

Show your support by signing the letter we sent them by clicking here.

During the pandemic, the city suspended its annual $3 million budget allocation to the Dignity Fund. That was especially challenging for the people the fund helps: older adults and people with disabilities.

They’re the people most likely to have found themselves trapped in their homes and isolated. They’re more likely to be unable to access regular health care or transportation to medical appointments. We’ve seen increased food insecurity as well.

How You Can Help

But now, with state and federal funding, the city has the ability to restore funding for these services. Here’s the Dignity Fund Coalition  Sign-on Letter to Restore the Promise of the Dignity Fund. 

You can join the fight by co-signing the letter to the Mayor and the Supervisors here, showing you agree that funding should be restored.

Alternatively, call or email your district Supervisor and tell them you want them to restore the annual $3 million allocation to the Dignity Fund. Click here to find out how to reach your supervisor.

For more information, visit https://sfdignityfund.org/.

 

 

 

 

Smiling Eyes, Elbow Bumps Galore at Senior Power Event

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We’re back in person!

Senior Power’s outdoor event was a big hit, attracting neighbors in the Sunset to enjoy each other’s company once again, plus enjoy the talents of some of our participants.

Old friends who had not seen each other in a year or more bumped elbows and everyone’s eyes conveyed the smiles that masks couldn’t conceal

“It was a homecoming for many Senior Power participants and a tentative step forward into an enveloping community spirit for others,” said Margaret Graf, Senior Power’s fearless leader. “We’re back. We’re stronger than before. We’re together again.”

“Personally, my heart leaped through my ribcage!” she continued. “All thoughts of the past year’s isolation got pushed aside.”

We got to enjoy the beautiful watercolors by James Mao and marvel at succulents that demonstrate the all-too-important resilience we all have inside. Mary Gayle Thomas also shared her affable, personal stories and poems. See more pictures below!

 

Come to the next community event!

Thursday, May 13

9:00 to 1:00

Sunset Wellness Mercantile

37th Ave between Ortega & Pacheco

Drop-in any time during the above hours and say “hello.”

 

We’ll be sharing new exhibits and performances by seniors showing their art, music and stories.

You’ll also find Community Living Campaign’s monthly activity calendar for classes and programs you can enjoy by video or phone. And we’ll have more resources on safety and health for seniors, their families and caregivers.

We’re looking for seniors with talents, hobbies and interests to share!

For more info, to participate, to show off your COVID past-time, your passion, your flair and aptitude — be it musical, artistic or craft — email M. Graf at opoygan1@yahoo.com.

Practicing Fairness, Defining Leadership at CLC

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We have two directors and are making it official!

Our favorite picture from before COVID

As any organization grows, so do responsibilities. That’s especially true of a year that required the Community Living Campaign to reinvent almost all of our programs from in-person to on-line.

So we’re proud to make it official that Kate Kuckro, long the deputy director, is now co-director of CLC alongside long-time executive director Marie Jobling.

The redefined roles won’t make a huge change for our participants and partners, said Dave Knego, a member of CLC’s board of directors. But within the organization, it helps the staff and board of directors by providing a clearer chain of command for CLC’s diversified programs, including:

  • neighborhood connectors
  • food delivery networks
  • computer training and access
  • SF ReServe job placement program
  • advocacy and coalition building

“The change builds on both of their strengths and confirms the executive-level work Kate has been involved in for some time,” Dave said. “Kate came on board in 2013 and has demonstrated outstanding organizational skills. She keeps many complex projects all running smoothly at the same time.”

Complementary skills

Marie added that “Kate’s leadership has been defined by kindness and compassion.” She’s also helped the organization grow and improve through program development and fundraising, finance and accounting, as well as marketing and communications.

Safely together at an event pre-pandemic

Marie co-founded CLC in 2007, part of a small group of activists who had worked for decades to make San Francisco a better place for seniors and people with disabilities.

“Marie is outstanding at networking and coalition building and knows everyone,”  Dave said. “She’s great at creating clear, timely and engaging advocacy campaigns.”

Also leading to this change, “Marie is all about equality and practices what she preaches,” he said.

What’s next?

Marie and Kate are enthusiastic about this change and have exciting plans for all CLC’s program areas.

“Being co-directors helps us be more proactive and strategic in engaging new partners and being a good ally to the ones we already have,”  Kate said. “It also makes things easier on our staff and creates more leadership opportunities as we look forward to expanding existing programs and developing new ones.”

Learn more about our mission and many of our programs here.

Wishing Patti Spaniak-Davidson Well on Her Next Adventure

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The natural-born connector. The person who makes us smile every time we think of her. The person who takes and prints pictures of everyone like they are her family. A font of creativity and enthusiasm.

These were just some of the glowing tributes to Patti Spaniak-Davidson, our departing head of Community Connectors, before she and her husband, Tyler, moved to North Carolina.

“Do we owe it to your new neighbors to warn them their lives are going to grow and change?” Judy Goddess quipped.

Here’s more of what team members and neighbors had to say about Patti:

“Patti’s middle name should be ‘connector.’ She’s a master at connecting people and the services and programs they need. I am so grateful for her help in expanding the Always Active program to the Community Connector sites. I am also thankful that our connection became a special friendship. Keep on connecting, Patti!” —  Valorie Villela

“Patti, you have been such an inspiration to me! You are one of those rare people in the world that just exudes love and care and fun and friendship and all the good qualities of a human being! You encourage everyone to be creative, to be free, to express themselves, and you bring out the best in everyone around you. I shall miss you very, very much!”  — Juliet Rothman

“Patti has been the faithful angel who comes to my gate each week to deliver my Open Hand meals. She always brightens up my corner of Cayuga Avenue with her outfits that are as vividly colored as a 48-color crayon box.” — Paulann Sternberg

In addition, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recognized her as a catalyst to connect neighbors and a determined advocate for older adults and people with disabilities. Lauren Chung, staff for Supervisor Ahsha Safai, presented her with an official proclamation declaring March 19 as Patti Spaniak-Davidson Day.

Her team of Community Connectors across the city and the rest of the staff at Community Living Campaign will miss Patti and wish her well on her journey!

Meet the rest of us by coming to some of our activities! You can find our calendar of events here.

San Francisco’s Got Talent! And We’re Sharing Some of It

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Come see, enjoy and learn the hobbies, talents and interests of your senior neighbors, families and friends!

Our partner, Senior Power, is proud to host a free community event soon! We’ll be presenting some of the talents of our active and engaged seniors, including watercolors by James, succulents by Les, and poetry and stories by Mary Gayle.

So many of us are excited about being able to see each other in person again. This is one way we feel neighbors can gather in a way that’s still safe for everyone.

Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021

Time: 9:00 – 1:00

Location: Sunset Wellness Mercantile, on 37th Ave. between Ortega & Pacheco.

Safety protocols: This event will be held outdoors, in a tent, and abide by all local safety measures (masks, physical distancing, etc.)

Drop-in any time and say hello!

While there, we invite you to:

  • Sign up for the Senior Power weekly newsletter
  • Grab Community Living Campaign’s monthly activity calendar for classes and programs you can enjoy by video or phone
  • Take home brochures on safety and health for seniors, their families and caregivers

For future events, we’re looking for seniors with talents, hobbies and interests to share!

For more info, to participate, to show off your COVID past-time, your passion, your flair and aptitude — be it musical, artistic or craft — contact M. Graf for more info: opoygan1@yahoo.com.

For more fun activities and ways to get to know your neighbors, take a look at our calendar of events here.