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.

Judy Goddess

Making Pen Pals

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For the past three years, Spring has ushered in the pen pal project at the San Francisco Friends School. It’s the time when 5th graders write letters to seniors attending CLCs community connectors programs. The students share tales of their travels, hobbies, favorite books (some surprisingly sophisticated) and families (pesky younger siblings are common). Then, like all good letter writers they ask questions.

Barbara Fugate from the Cayuga Community Connectors eagerly anticipates the childrens’ letters. She’s so eager, she usually answers letters from three or four students. “I write them back immediately. You never know when you might influence someone, and it’s good to hear what the kids are thinking. Anything that gets kids to read makes me happy.”

Later, we visit the school to tell their stories. Then, sometime in May, we return to see the short skits the students developed from our stories. “I told them about the ghost that lived in a house I rented. That made a good skit – sound effects and all,” Barbara said.

This year, of course, the coronavirus disrupted those plans. The visiting part of the program never happened. Nonetheless, many of us still made new friends. A young woman turned me on to “The Giver” by Lois Lowery; another shared that she had been reading “Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl” and I remembered how I felt when I finished that book.

Jono Gay, who turns 11 in June, and I talked for this story. Jono is an experienced pen pal, having participated in a pen pal program at his other school and occasionally writing his grandfather in Orange County. Jono decided to challenge himself by using an online translation program to write his letter in Chinese and English. Barbara hasn’t received his letter yet, but she’s excited to reply.

This year, knowing that seniors would be home for a very long time and wanting to cheer them up, Caren Andrews, the art teacher for the younger students asked the students in grades kindergarten – 4th to send a drawing to a senior. They had been “studying maps at school before SIP…that is why so many maps arrived with your mailing,” she explained.

For us, said Guybe Slangen, the SFFS Director of Community Engagement, it’s all about “care, connection, and community. They are opportunities for connections where we can show care to learn more about and share with others.”

Those values also hold true for their senior pals.

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Inner Sunset Community Connectors Reflect on a Successful Year

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group photo of Inner Sunset participants

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Neighbors and Always Active Instructors celebrate one year of Inner Sunset Community Connectors

Before we opened the doors last October 22nd at St. Anne of the Sunset, we had hoped 15 people might attend our our Monday and Thursday afternoon exercise/community building program.  Instead 35 appeared, ready to enjoy the Always Active exercise program. Though most of us lived in the neighborhood, few of us knew one another. The number of participants, and our friendships have only grown from those early days. 

 
One day last summer, when 53 people tried to fit into our summer space at St. John of God, we were in the awkward position of turning away people at the same time we were committed to building community. After several weeks of this, the Community Living Campaign convinced the SF Department of Aging and Adult Services (the city agency that provides the primary funding for this program), to send a second Always Active instructor, allowing us to serve up to 60 people a session.   More recently, CLC convinced DAAS to earmark extra funding for a third day of classes.  On Tuesdays, beginning November 5, we will offer chair yoga and creative dance on alternative weeks.
 
Note from a participant

MAKING FRIENDS: “I feel healthier which is great but I feel most excited about meeting my neighbors. I don’t feel like a stranger out here anymore.” (Note from a participant)

But we don’t only exercise when we come together. About a month into the program, Marina Lazarra, the community connector from the Community Living Campaign, began offering after-exercises activities. The first classes were on gardening and healthy herbs – Marina’s interests – an ongoing memoir writing class, classes on “finding your style,” earthquake safety, how to get most out of your cell phone, a three-session series on Stroke Awareness, and an evening meeting on Loneliness and Social Isolation engaged participants and brought in new members. More than 10 of us participated in a letter exchange with the fifth graders at the SF Friends School, and were thrilled to attend the children’s dramatization of our life stories.

 
It’s all coming together, the way we had hoped. The Always Active exercise program and the after-class workshops have led to the development of new friendships. People arrive before class and stay after to exchange gossip. The more able-bodied members look out for those of us who move slower or are less steady on our feet. We are no longer strangers working out, we’re becoming friends. Thanks to this program, retirement and aging are taking on new meaning in the Inner Sunset.  
 
Want to help? Right now, we have a matching gift of up to $10,000. Please donate now to double your impact!
 
(Enjoy a few pictures from the November 4th Anniversary Celebration and Thank You Event)
 

Robin Evans, SF ReServe Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Robin as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for SF ReServe Employment.

Robin was introduced to the Community Living Campaign by a mutual friend and CLC staff member. Passion for the mission keeps her involved.

The Beginning of Senior Beat
Through SF ReServe, Marie Jobling hired three beginning reporters to write part-time for CLC and neighborhood newspapers. The focus: items of interest to seniors. However, the dearth of newspapers and their monthly publication schedule limited their ‘beat’: thus sfseniorbeat.com was born.

First, Robin spent months just creating the website. Then followed the ongoing challenge of making the most of it, all the while nurturing the writing abilities of her eager but novice staff.

The Legacy Continues
Robin edits sfseniorbeat.com, the online newsletter that showcases the diversity, backgrounds, experiences, challenges, efforts and accomplishments of the City’s older adults.

Robin explains, “There is no one else who regularly and consistently publishes the kind of stories we have focused on. Our goal is to increase the diversity of our content and include more of the City’s neighborhoods.” She adds, “For now, we will concentrate on feature stories about older adults. We hope this will go some way toward broadening views of aging.”

Michael Scott Silver, Computers and Access Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Michael as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for Computers and Access.

Twice a week, Michael works at two of SteppingStone’s Adult Day Health Care Centers for seniors and people with disabilities. He tutors the residents for an hour each session, helping them to use technology. He starts with the basics and even shows them how to use social media.  Michael worked in the technology field but was unable to continue due to health issues. “Now that I am feeling a bit better,” Michael says, “I can use some of my free time to help others with their understanding of technology.”

Sherri Sawyer, who nominated Michael, says “Michael is very compassionate and patient when working with our participants who are mostly seniors, and often uncomfortable working with technology.  I appreciate the way he engages with the seniors. He is able to explain things in ways that our participants can understand. He is truly a gem.”

Alice Guidry, Sunnyside Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Alice as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Sunnyside Community Connectors.

Patti Spaniak nominated Alice for the Good Neighbor Award for her help in establishing the CLC senior program at St. Finn Barr Church. “Alice was instrumental in getting the program started at the church. She continues to help us navigate and engage the community.”

Sunnyside Fun
Alice has been involved with the Sunnyside community for a number of years. She’s working on many projects that promote community involvement. “I like combining people with common interests in fun, and fulfilling activities,” she shares.

 Giving Back
Although Alice is very busy with her catering company, she still likes to volunteer. She believes it’s a chance for her to give something back to the community, and make it a better place. “Helping out with projects and being there for people who need a helping hand can make a real difference in people’s lives,” Alice states. “And it’s a good way to make new friends!”

Rose Sharkey, St. Francis Square Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Rose as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the St. Francis Square Neighborhood Network.

We chose Rose for the Good Neighbor award,” says Betty Traynor,” because when she joined St. Francis Square Co-op as a new member about two years ago, she jumped right in and joined our Community Living Campaign Committee as well as other Committees. She is someone I know I can rely on to help our CLC Community Connector group.  This year she took on a major project at the Square: updating our Handbook.  Plus, she makes dynamite brownies for our meetings and events!”

From Rose:
“My husband and I were very fortunate to join the St. Francis Square Co-op when we moved to San Francisco from the East coast. I volunteer because I recognize that there are things that need to be done, and I am blessed with the time and talent to do them. My work has made me feel more connected to this very special community.”

Leroy Lindo, OMI Food Network Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Leroy as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the OMI Food Network.

After retiring from his career in the SFPD as a Police Commander, Leroy Lindo might have been expected to take up a well-deserved station on his front porch, relaxing in a swing chair. Instead, he continues to help his neighbors by volunteering with the Oceanview Merced Ingleside Food Network.

Community-Focused, People-Loving
Leroy’s efforts, in particular, making our community a No Hunger Zone, reflect his lifelong commitment to the OMI community. His neighbors are delighted to see him every week when he delivers food to them. He takes time to chat with them and build personal relationships, which forms the basis of a strong community. He is appreciated for his continuous dedication to a lifetime of service.

The Community Living Campaign is grateful for his generosity of spirit spent in serving his OMI neighbors each week.

Reiko Hatakayama, Merced Extension Triangle Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Reiko as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Merced Extension Triangle Community Connectors.

Reiko Hatakayama likes to help.  A retired school teacher, Reiko is committed to growing the MET CC program and doesn’t hesitate to reach out. She embraces talking about the program in the community, recruiting new members, welcoming first timers, and introducing them to the program regulars.

Reiko loves to bake and is expert at flower arranging. Her handiwork graces the room at all METCC celebrations. During the growing season, her plant cuttings and small bouquets extend a welcoming note.

When it comes time to growing the METCC program, Reiko is out there working.

Connector Who Wears Many Hats
While Reiko’s primary commitment is to the METCC program, she willing shares her skills at other locations. She has taught workshops at Cayuga on cupcake decorating, corsage making (with orchids from her own garden), and drawing for beginners. An extremely modest person, Reiko is a great listener, careful with her words, and sincerely interested in the other person. Her attention to detail and genuine caring makes participants feel they are involved in something wonderful.

 

 

 

Marlene Olivencia, Inner Sunset Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Marlene as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Inner Sunset Community Connectors.

Marlene, a longtime resident of the Inner Sunset, was one of the first neighbors to attend the new connectors program in her neighborhood.  An active community member, she became more active after her retirement from Family House. Marlene soon began inviting her friends to the group, “I know the best way to recruit is word of mouth, so I talk about the class and I invite them.” And they come.

Volunteering and Growing Sponsored Program
Marlene is always ready to lend a hand, whether that means handing out fliers for the program at the local library’s 101st birthday celebration or helping the program settle into its summer quarters at her church, St. John’s. She also supports the program’s fundraising efforts with S.H.A.R.P. (Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People), one of the three community organizations sponsoring the Inner Sunset program.

“It’s an important program. I want to see it succeed,” she said.

Evernease Cook McNight, Midtown Terrace Good Neighbor

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Each year, our Good Neighbor Awards honor some of the dedicated neighbors who volunteer their time to help seniors and people with disabilities get the resources and support they need to age and thrive in their own homes and neighborhoods. We are delighted to honor Evernease as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Midtown Terrace Community Connectors.

Evernease moved to Midtown Terrace in 1979. When she was getting ready to retire from Pac Bell around 2001, she became active in the Midtown Terrance Homeowners Association. She’s still active and has held every office in the Association.

Creating a Program in the Community
“Because I’m active, I’m privy to all the things happening in the neighborhood. So, when our supervisor, Norman Yee, asked what he could do for the community, I told him I like line dancing and I wanted a class in our neighborhood.” Yee couldn’t do that, but he did suggest Always Active and talking with Marie Jobling at CLC.

It took a while to find a home for the program. Programs closer to the neighborhood refused to host them, but Evernease kept looking. Last summer, Evernease approached the Forest Hill Christian Church on Laguna Honda Boulevard and they agreed to be the program host.

Keeping Busy, in Addition to Classes
Evernease leads a busy life and can’t attend every class. She has her family, her husband’s family, her church, and her cancer survivors’ group. “When I’m here I come,” she offers. “I think the program is wonderful. The people in the class seem more mobile. It’s given them a new outlet. They’re meeting their neighbors.

“The program is developing as I anticipated. I’m happy with it.”