Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.
How do you network to find employment? Networking is not always easy, but there are ways to make it easier. Check out Lunchclub for a free and easy way to get and stay connected: https://lunchclub.com/?invite_code=jefft3
Action has been needed for decades to rectify racial inequities in our country and around the globe. If you are wondering how to support Black Lives Matter and Anti-racism, there are multiple resources, which we’ve listed below. As one of many steps, taking a pause, to go deep, to consider even the most remote thought, experience, belief or value that might be an obstacle to being the change, is critical. To embody the essence of what it is to be conscious, aware and to take positive action on behalf of our fellow human beings, we all need to look within and often get outside of our comfort zone.
Maria Sosa, MS, MFT Therapist has used Dr. Carol Dweck’s extensively researched Fixed and Growth Mindset model to help us pause and consider our own level of awareness and where we may be along the comfort to courage spectrum in supporting Black Lives Matter and Anti-racism. You can find more resources in support of Black Lives here.
Hello, again!
Are you:
Let’s first acknowledge that this is indeed a uniquely challenging time for older adults with disabilities to find work.
Now, let’s focus on what you CAN do and the many resources to support you.
You First!
The first resource is yourself and focusing on the aspects of your life that you can control. Lifestyle choices, such as sleep and eating habits, moving to the best of your physical abilities, positive self-talk and connecting with others.
If you need help finding support for lifestyle improvement, please look at other postings in the “News” section of our website. Additionally, you may want to look at:\
Growth Mindset v. Fixed Mindset
Whether you’re currently employed or looking for employment, staying in a position to create options and take opportunities is ever more important. Shelter in place isn’t a notice to stop. Planning may feel thwarted, yet it is now that you can create some space to look at how your mindset impacts your success.
Carol Dweck, the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University is known for her groundbreaking work on mindset. Her work focuses on how our mindset impacts our success and ultimately the quality of our lives.
Enjoy Dr. Dweck’s presentation on, Developing a Growth Mindset. You may want to mark it on your calendar to do so several times a year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ
Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Set goals that feel doable right now; those that will support a growth mindset. Find out more about S.M.A.R.T. Goals right here: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm
Wow! Do you have Skills!
Work, volunteering, being in a community, a family, riding the bus – you are constantly using skills to navigate life. Decision making, leadership, teamwork, critical and analytical thinking…the list goes on!
Create an inventory of your skills. Sit down and start writing. No editing. No evaluating. Get it all out there and set the list aside for a day. When you return, 1. Add to the list, 2. Use a 1-5 scale, color coding, anything that works for you to highlight your strengths and mark areas you’d like to improve upon.
Create your Support Network
Have you ever had a “Board of Advisors” for yourself? Three to five people who you trust; who will be honest with you; and who have your best interests in mind?
We all have personality traits and skills that we overlook as being unique or strong. Try asking a handful of people what makes you unique and to provide an example. Listen for important words and the story they tell you about how they perceive your strengths.
Perhaps you want to find an Accountability Buddy; someone else who is either looking for employment or who has a goal toward finding work. Dedicating time to check in on your respective goals will help you to move along, adjust along the way and support another person.
Skills and Telling your Story
Reflect back on the skills you listed and those that your Board of Advisors shared with you. Determine which are most important for the type(s) of position(s) you’re seeking. Which skills can you weave into examples of what you’ve done, how you did it, what the result was and the impact of that result? Create multiple examples that use the vocabulary in job descriptions, from the organization’s website, and research of the work sector(s) you’re exploring.
These examples will help you communicate YOUR story in a way that shares how you would perform. They will give the interviewer a picture of who you are and how you could be a valuable member of their organization.
Transferable Skills: Existing skills which you can bring to a new job
Upskilling: Building on a skill or skills to increase your knowledge, competence and expertise
Reskilling: Learning new skills for a job you’ve never performed
Your Resume
Your Cover Letters
Volunteering
A great way to learn and build upon skills to transfer to the workplace!
Technology and Software Tools
Get comfortable with technology. Zoom, WhatsApp, WeChat, Microsoft Office Suite are just a few examples. Go to the websites of the technology and software tools, go to online universities to get free training. AARP is also a great resource.
Contact Tracer
On May 11, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health launched a free course on Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-contact-tracing?edocomorp=covid-19-contact-tracing, to help states expand their contact tracing capacity by training thousands of contact tracers. It is expected that the U.S. will require 100,000 Contact Tracers, which is work that can be performed virtually.
GOOD LUCK! THIS MAY NOT BE EASY, BUT YOU CAN DO IT!
Hello, we are thinking of you and know this is a difficult time. Whether missing the warmth of friends and family, seeing a work colleague, a local store keeper or pharmacist who gave you that extra bit of attention.
We also know, whether you live alone or with others, there are low moments. This is why connecting on the phone, the computer or writing a letter (yes, that wonderful “old-fashioned” tradition) is so important to your health.
By this time in our lives, we’ve all had challenges. This one is different than all others, but today doesn’t have to be the definition of tomorrow. Envisioning that things will be different and there are opportunities for you to wake up with purpose and focus, each day, is a key part of self-care.
For many of us, it is even more difficult than ever to make ends meet. We’ve pulled together resources for you on Food, Employment, and Access to Technology. You’ll also see other interesting tidbits! There is a lot out there, and we are working to focus on the most up-to-date information.
We are a part of Your Community. Even if you’ve only spoken to one person at Community Living Campaign, we all know you are there, because YOU are a part of Our Community. If you are feeling alone and want to receive a regular phone call to say hello, please let us know and we will connect you with a caring volunteer.
Increases in CalFresh Benefits
If you’re already receiving CalFresh benefits, you may have seen an Emergency Allotment on your EBT card. There will be emergency allotments paid in April and May to bring recipients to the maximum benefit allowed under federal regulation for your household size.
If you are not yet enrolled in CalFresh, contact the SF Marin Food Bank at 415-549-7021 or visit their Calfresh Assistance page. Remember that SSI recipients are now eligible to apply for CalFresh! Read more about eligibility and the application process with flyers in English and Spanish from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Stimulus Payments Up to $1,200 per person
Workers Impacted by Coronavirus: Furloughed, Reduced Hours, or Laid Off
Other Protections and Changes: Utilities, Evictions, and Legal Assistance
The City and County of San Francisco has put in place policies that utilities, such as power and water will not be shutoff for delinquent payments through May 14th. Policies will continue to be updated, as required. For a complete list, see
Avoid Coronavirus scams!
Just because we’re in a tough place doesn’t mean people can take advantage of us! Be savvy and skeptical about incoming calls. This means even for services you’ve requested. The IRS NEVER communicates via email or by phone; only by the Postal Service. Don’t give out any personal information – hang up. You have our permission. Put your safety concerns above “being rude”.
Technology Access to STAY CONNECTED!
The ability to get online through internet and having a phone is essential to staying connected with others, getting valuable information and searching for work. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, it is out there!
SF Tech Council is a consortium of organizations and businesses that is working to lessen the “digital divide” for older adults and adults living with a disability. Check out their incredible resource page if you’re looking for assistance with the internet or a phone and phone plan. You’ll see they have a lot of interesting and fun programs, like Digital Passport offering self-guided workshops and training on demand.
And details on eligibility for programs to help people get online during this period are available here.
