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

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Kate Kuckro

Evening of Sinatra – A Microgrant Project

January 30, 2023 by Kate Kuckro

Earlier this year, Community Living Campaign launched a Microgrant Project, inviting CLC staff to submit proposals for ideas that would build community and strengthen existing programs. Responding to community needs and incubating new projects has been at the heart of our work since we started 15 years ago. The projects also create opportunities to recognize leaders and  for staff to work together across neighborhoods and programs. 

Our selection committee awarded a microgrant to Miraloma Park Community Connector Darlene Ramlose for a community event where neighbors could see each other in person again while enjoying an evening with Sinatra tribute artist Perry D’Andrea.  Darlene, Barbara Wheeler, fellow Sunnyside Community Connector Olivia, and neighborhood volunteers organized dinner and dessert for their neighbors. The Sunday event was lively, with plenty of applause and appreciation for Mr. D’Andrea’s uncanny tribute to Frank Sinatra. 

Filed Under: Building Community

Chinese-Language Students Celebrate Community & New Tech Skills

January 30, 2023 by Kate Kuckro

Chinese New Year Celebration Flyer

Join us on February 7th for the a Chinese New Year celebration by the tech and singing students

Thank you letter to Chinese-Language Programs Manager, Wanda Liu.

A thank you Letter to Chinese-Language Programs Manager Wanda Liu by one of the students describes how important the classes are to her.

Led by Wan He (Wanda) Liu, CLC’s Chinese Programs Manager, the Chinese-language tech classes and singing classes are coming together again to share their talents. Join us on February 7 from 3pm-5pm for a Chinese New Year Celebration showcasing a variety of song, dance, and video. Since they started the celebrations several years ago, the students have moved from single performance on Zoom to sophisticated videos that bring together photos, video, and multiple student performers. 

This series of classes has been very meaningful to the students, creating a strong virtual community where they can support each other and continue learning from home. As student Amy C. wrote, the patient instruction and range of classes and celebrations has made her feel younger and more engaged. (See the letter at right) 

As show in the photo gallery below, we all had a wonderful time at the Christmas celebration in December, and were quite impressed by the quality of the performances. Don’t miss the video below! We’re looking forward to seeing what new delights the students will share in February. 


 

Filed Under: Building Community, Diversity in Aging, Events & Celebrations

Celebrating Good Neighbors

November 29, 2022 by Kate Kuckro

Video: Celebrating Good Neighbors. Making San Francisco a Better Place to Age and Thrive in Community. By Community Living CampaignEach 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. During our 7th Annual Good Neighbor Celebration, we honored an impressive group of dedicated San Franciscans. Please join us in thanking them for the impact they’ve had in their communities. Read on to learn about some of the ways they’ve made a difference.

Connie Baker-Cohn, Bayview Grocery Network

Connie Baker-Cohn volunteers every Thursday with the Bayview Home Delivered Grocery Program. She says, “I am very grateful to be here today and I take each day as a blessing. I have had my ups and downs in my life and I’m very fortunate now to be able to be in a position to help others. I’ve always tried to do that in whatever ways I could. Now I’m able to do more and I really truly feel called to do so.  I’m grateful for the experiences that I’ve had and look forward to working with others, as much as possible, to take care of each other as best we can in this world.” And we at CLC are grateful for all that Connie does to help her neighbors.

Carol Brownson, Sidewalk Search Party

The Sidewalk Search Party honors Carol for her endless commitment to ensuring safely accessible sidewalks throughout San Francisco. Carol was reporting dangerous sidewalks long before joining the Sidewalk Search Party. She introduced us to 311 on Twitter and is a co-presenter in our 311 trainings. Carol comes to every meeting and neighborhood waddle to hang ducks on trees to inform neighbors how to report treacherous sidewalks to 311. Carol is willing to help.

Rosario Cervantes, Latino Cultural Events (Virtual Community Connectors)

Rosario Cervantes has participated in many of Latino cultural events hosted by CLC coordinators Olivia Franco and Nicky Trasviña. She worked with Nicky to bring on a “heavy hitter” to Dr. Anna Chodos’ 80/80 Project and the related 80/80 Latino-Style virtual program. Rosario reached out to her friend Orlando Cepeda to request that he join in. With kindness, persistence, diligence Rosario called and visited in person to set up an interview with this remarkable North American and Latin American baseball hero, retired SF Giant and 7-time All Star. She sets the standard for communicating and bringing people together.

Rosario is very committed to making her community a better place by serving as Board President to Coleman Advocates and her position as VP in the SF District 11 Democratic Club. She has walked miles on behalf of  campaigns that impact her neighborhood and city. Rosario not only talks the talk, she walks the walk!  We are happy to honor Rosario for all that she does.

Kate Clements, Miraloma Park Community Connectors

Kate is an integral part of the goings on in Miraloma Park. An MPIC board committee member for Publicity and Advertising, Kate is a long-time editor of our Miraloma Life Newsletter. She makes sure our Miraloma Community Page is updated before it goes to press. Kate has volunteered for many events around our neighborhood and we are glad to have her on board with our Connector program. Miraloma Park Connectors Coordinator Darlene Ramlose recounts that she’s not sure what we could have done without her at the Miraloma Park Tea Party.

Susheela Farrell , St. Francis Square Co-Op

Susheela has lived at St. Francis Square Co-op in the Western Addition with her daughter for just six and a half years. She’s been an active member of the community from the beginning.  Susheela is co-coordinator of St. Francis Square’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, where she finds volunteers from the co-op community to help seniors and others with shopping, going to doctor’s appointments, gardening, dog walking, and whatever other help is needed. She is also a member of one of the senior choirs in San Francisco. Susheela plays guitar and leads us in folk songs for many of our parties at the Square. This election season she also coordinated the Square’s Get-Out-the-Vote campaign. Susheela is such an activist and loving person  whom we cherish here at St. Francis Square.

Veronica Harlin, OMI Grocery Network

It’s our pleasure to introduce Veronica Harlin as our good neighbor of 2022. Veronica has grown up in the OMI Lakeview community and is extremely familiar with our neighbors, working in the community and volunteering with several neighborhood groups.  Veronica has been showing up each Tuesday asking how she could assist and has become a valuable asset to our community. It’s a great blessing to have individuals like Veronica that offer to assist as a volunteer. The OMI CLC program is blessed to have Veronica volunteering with our Home Delivery Grocery Program

Anne Herbst, Senior Power

Anne Herbst supports her neighborhood through Far Out Gallery, an art gallery that she owns and operates in the Outer Sunset. She is truly a good neighbor. Over the past year, she has hosted two Senior Power meetings at her gallery–a good and warm experience for all! It’s given another perspective to neighbors who come to Senior Power meetings. In addition to that, over the summer she opened her flower-themed show to the community. Anyone could bring their art. She had an enormous response. The oldest contributor was a 94-year-old woman who brought a beautiful floral painting. As Senior Power founder and connector Margaret Graf says, “This was such a generous gift to the community to open her doors and truly welcome everyone who had something to contribute…and she did it with grace and love of art.”

Martha Joseph, Neighborhood Tech Connect Computers & Access

Martha Joseph is dedicated Good Neighbor. When she talks about older adults, Martha says “They are one of our greatest assets holding a wealth of knowledge and experience. ” She initially approached CLC to get a tablet to keep her mother more connected to family and friends. Martha’s mom lives in a long-term care facility. When other residents there saw her tablet, they realized they could be less isolated if they had devices of their own. Martha didn’t think twice. She jumped in to refer these neighbors to CLC, and then took on the extra step of picking up and delivering tablets and welcome packets to 10 residents. As Martha says, she loves seniors and works, assists, and protects them to the best of her ability. And when we talk with her “peeps” they tell us they love her too.

Mobilize Love Summer Teen Volunteers (Cassatt Boatwright, Paneah Chea, Carolina Irizarry & Alan Uczib), Park Merced/University Park Grocery Network

During the 2022 year as the world went back to “normal,” our Park Merced Food Network adult volunteers went back into the office. This left Food Network Coordinator Elaine with little to no volunteers to help. She reached out to Mobilize Love, which has faithfully shared volunteer opportunities on their platform. Our Food Network started to receive a wave of teen helpers!

While the current generation of teens may be technology-driven, these young people (Alan, Cassat, Carolina, and Paneah) are people-driven. They were punctual, ready to work, and compassionate. The teens waited patiently for disabled seniors to get to the door. They were careful to address each participant by name with reverence. Even after the teens unloaded a pallet of heavy boxes of produce & food, assembled the grocery bags, cleaned up and delivered door-to-door, they were hungry for more!  A big shout out and Thank You to the Mobilize Love teens for your service to the seniors of CLC Park Merced.

Miguel Portilla, Sunnyside Community Connectors

Miguel Portilla has been living in San Francisco for more than 20 years, and has spent the last 15 helping and supporting seniors in his community. During Covid, Miguel helped in deliver groceries and Covid tests to Sunnyside neighbors. He cares for seniors’ wellness. Every week he comes to Sunnyside to help set up the space for exercise and to cut fresh fruit for our neighbors. When we hold donation campaigns, he drives around and picks them up from people’s homes. For all of these reasons, we are happy to choose Miguel as a Good Neighbor.

Barbara Prato, Midtown Terrace Community Connectors

Midtown Terrace has become a close-knit group of consistent and caring senior exercisers. They look out for each other with love and care. Barbara Prato exemplifies this commitment. She is a retired SFUSD educator who has lived in Midtown Terrace since McGovern ran for President. Despite the loss of her close friend and exercise buddy, Barb remains a constant presence at exercise and other activities. She has shown her generosity by donating many times to the various charity collections that CLC has held for Casa de las Madres. We really appreciate Barbara and her kind and sweet energy.

Traci Ramos, Inner Sunset Community Connectors

Traci is one of those neighbors who works behind the scenes – a “neighborhood angel,” according to one of her neighbors: Traci “…has been consistent since you matched us well over a year ago. When she is out-of-town, she emails me to say ‘hello,’ and to let me know when she will return. Since going blind as an older adult, I often experience feelings of frustration, loneliness, and social isolation, exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Traci is a genuinely warm, compassionate , and kind-hearted person. I often forget an item or two when placing my grocery orders, or may get a hankering for a special treat, or want to splurge and get take-out but cannot afford the Uber or Door Dash service fees, and Traci is willing to pick these up and deliver them to me. I appreciate that she always stays a few minutes for a neighborly chat about what she observes in our neighborhood. She has been a lifeline through this challenging time that we are all experiencing. I am very grateful to be on the receiving end of her generous spirit.” 

Diane Sampson, Drama with Friends (Virtual Community Connectors)

Every third Monday night for the past two years, Drama with Friends has produced three to four short, 10-minute plays by a local playwright. Diane Sampson finds those playwrights; she is our play wrangler. We could not have gotten started and we could not continue without Diane. She flips through what Community Connector Judy Goddess imagines “…is a huge rolodex to find the playwrights and then contacts them. Some months her volunteer assignment seems easy, other months take more time. But she always comes through.

“Because of Diane, new people have learned about CLC and our troupe of over ten actors, a director, two acting coaches, and a stage manager.” We are thankful that Diane has enabled us to present a steady program of  delightful entertainment for our crew and the 40 or so members of the audience who tune in each month.

Claire Sanchez, Merced Extension Triangle Community Connectors

Claire has joyfully and energetically participated in neighborhood walks, supported the connector efforts and helped to bring in new students to the exercise/social hour. And importantly, she showed up. She does with her husband Dennis who has now taken up teaching some of the exercises at METCC. We are thankful for all that Claire brings to our community.

Dennis Sanchez, Crocker Amazon Community Connectors

As we began opening our Connector programs in person, Dennis stepped up in a big way. He has been leading exercise when needed for the Crocker-Amazon, Merced-Extension Triangle, and Cayuga Community Connectors. A San Francisco native, Dennis brings humor and dedication to our time together. Dennis brings out the best out in our Connectors and wonderful neighbors. We are so grateful for all you do. 

Mary Wan, Cayuga Community Connectors

During the pandemic, Mary began bringing a little cheer to her neighbors, visiting them in the hospital, in nursing homes, and at their homes. Starting with a list of neighbors’ birthdays, she travels around bringing flowers, treats, and cards to help them celebrate. She really extends herself to care for those around her. We have a lot of gratitude for the way that Mary helps strengthen connections in our community.

Brenda Washington, SF ReServe

Brenda is a ReServist in the SF ReServe program at San Francisco Community Living. She currently is working in the infant program of Frandelja Enrichment Center located in the Bayview neighborhood. She also lives at the Dr. George Davis Senior Residences in Bayview, where she is good neighbor to many fellow participants and neighbors.  Brenda is always motivated to acquire new technology skills and has become a lifeline to others in her apartment complex to teach, troubleshoot and impart her computer knowledge to others. 

When Brenda learned of the SF ReServe program she reached out with great eagerness and excitement. She quickly became a staff favorite at Frandelja and took it upon herself to become an ambassador for SF ReServe, others in her neighborhood. She most recently assisted a neighbor in become a ReServist at the same childcare center where she works. Brenda is a kind, patient, and caring woman who is much deserving of being called a good neighbor.

Filed Under: Diversity in Aging, Volunteering & Giving Back

CLC Board of Directors Adopts Black Lives Matter Statement & Commits to Action

August 5, 2020 by Kate Kuckro

Over the past several months, CLC’s staff and Board of Directors have been engaging in a process to discern how we can best draw on the strengths and wisdom of older adults and people with disabilities in our organization and our neighborhoods to support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black communities.The Board has adopted the following statement:

The Community Living Campaign (CLC) is committed to building communities that value fairness, equity, and justice.

Black Lives Matter. Black Voices Matter. Black Dreams Matter. Black Elders Matter. Black Leaders Matter. Black Stories Matter. Black Jobs Matter. Black Futures Matter.We support the Black Lives Matter movement and its call for justice. As an organization that works with a diversity of older adults and people with disabilities from many ethnic and racial groups, it is imperative that we collectively address the systemic racism that the Black Lives Matter movement seeks to remedy, and its relationship with our own cultural histories and personal experiences. 

The actions we see against Black people are not new nor are they unfamiliar to the individuals and communities who have experienced the effects of racist policies and practices for generations. Through the years, CLC members have engaged in actions against racist, ageist, ableist, classist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic policies. We have joined the ranks of legislators and advocates to correct these discriminatory policies and prejudices, which have not been eradicated, but continue to morph into new forms. 

There is much more to do. CLC is committed to listening, learning, and rededicating ourselves to remedying racism at every level – within our organization, the neighborhoods we serve, and the wider community.

The present is an important opportunity for older and younger generations to stand together and join forces in the Black Lives Matter movement. Toward that end, CLC has created a dedicated space on its website to share information and resources with staff and the wider community. This is one of the first steps in our action plan, which outlines ways we can have a positive impact on the lives of those we touch now and in the months and years ahead. 

Significant effort is required to understand issues of injustice, if injustice is to be eliminated in our lifetime and during the lives of following generations. We must continuously reaffirm our social contract, self-check our actions, and commit to teaching and learning from one another to establish a safe, healthy place for all. The work is on-going, but urgent. Please join us. 

Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Diversity in Aging Tagged With: Black Lives Matter, equity, justice

Finding Food during the Coronavirus

March 30, 2020 by Kate Kuckro

We know it can be a challenge to find food during the Coronavirus outbreak, especially if you are at increased risk and/or struggling with the financial impact of this crisis. Below are some resources that we hope will help.

Plan your meals to limit trips out for food

  • menu planning icon with calendar and produceMake a grocery list! If possible, plan ahead so that you purchase enough food for one to two weeks. 
  • Plan your meals. Visit websites like EatingWell.com for free 7-day meal plans with grocery lists. Try meal planning websites/apps like MealPlannerPro or Mealime.
  • Pick recipes that are flexible– not every ingredient will be available.
  • Buy foods that you can use in more than one recipe. Choose produce that doesn’t spoil quickly, and that is easy to wash and/or cook. Stock up on basics like rice, pasta, beans, and canned goods.

Maintain social distancing while you are grocery shopping

  • grocery bag icon with apple, milk, lettuce and breadPractice social distancing! Keep at least 6 feet away from other people on transportation, standing in lines, and while shopping.
  • Sanitize your shopping cart or basket if you can. Consider wearing gloves.
  • Consider one-time-use bags. Leave reusable bags at home unless you can launder them after each use.
  • Shop when stores are less crowded.  Shop at corner stores and specialty stores.  Shop at stores with shopping hours reserved for older adults and people with disabilities(contact stores to confirm days and times).
  • Shop at a Farmer’s Market. Many markets are still open for produce and other items, and many accept EBT. Check your favorite market before you go: Heart of the City Farmer’s Market, CUESA (Ferry Building), and Alemany Farmer’s Market. Read tips on how to shop safely at a farmer’s market.

Find a local Food Pantry & other food options

  • Call the San Francisco Department of Disability & Aging Benefits & Resource Line: 415-355-6700                                     
  • Find Food using the SF Marin Food Bank Food Locator (most up to date) or download a list of Food Pantries available without registration or ID.
  • Free Farmstand at Parque Unidos operates every Sunday at. 23rd Street at Treat Ave. Arrive at 12:00 pm for a number, food is distributed at 1pm.
  • Download a meal site directory for seniors & people with disabilities. (most offer Take Away only, and you should  contact the site to confirm whether it is still open before visiting).  

Consider food delivery options

  • food delivery icon with door and blue box with produceAsk a friend, family member, or neighbor to shop when they go out.  Faith communities and Nextdoor.com users are also good sources for finding help.
  • Try food delivery services, but expect higher costs and long wait times. Options include Farmsteadapp.com (groceries), Farm Fresh to You (mostly produce), Imperfect Produce (mostly produce), and Whole Foods (for Amazon Prime members).
  • Ask for “No Contact Delivery.” Don’t meet the person delivering your food at the door.  Instead, ask them to let you know when the food is there, then pick up the food when they are at least 6 feet away. Tip delivery people generously!
  • Have shelf-stable foods shipped from an online store like Boxed.com, ShopFoodEx.com, or ThriveMarket.com (try free for 30 days, then $60 annual membership).
  • Consider meal kit deliveries like BlueApron.com, EveryPlate.com, Freshly.com, HomeChef.com, PurpleCarrot.com, and SunBasket.com  These are expensive, but do include the ingredients you need to cook a meal without going to the store.

Take care when unpacking, storing, and preparing your food

sanitizer icon: blue spray bottle with yellow topAvoid moving grocery bags right onto a counter or table. Ideally, keep the bags near your door. Bring the food individually into your kitchen and throw away the paper bag. Follow the guidelines below to further minimize any chances of virus transmission. See this handy video for tips on how to safely unpack groceries. 

Sanitize your surface: Wipe down your countertop or kitchen table with a household disinfecting spray or a bleach solution for at least two minutes. You can make your own bleach solution by adding one teaspoon of Clorox bleach to one cup of water. Mark off an area that you will keep sanitized.

Wash your hands: Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands for 20 seconds, then dry them completely.

Clean your food:  Before placing any food on your sanitized area,

  • wash hands iconScrub fruits and vegetables that you can (apples, oranges, etc.) with soap and water for 20 seconds each. Dry off and store in a clean bowl or sanitized refrigerator drawer.
  • Wipe down glass jars, plastic bottles, cans, and other sturdy non-porous packaging with disinfecting spray or wash thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Throw away any external/unnecessary packaging (like cereal or cracker boxes), keeping only the clean bags of food inside the packaging.
  • Empty packaged food (like plastic bags of bread) into clean plastic containers
  • Re-sanitize the counter after you’ve put the food away.
  • Wash your hands again!

Store your food: Refrigerate any meat or eggs. Store other groceries in areas where it will not be contaminated.


Prepare your food safely

  • cooking icon: red pot with steamAlways remember to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating!
  • When possible, cook or microwave food before eating. (Note that freezing does not kill the Coronavirus).
  • Be sure meats and eggs are fully cooked before eating.

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Resources

Resources for Grandparents Home with Grandchildren

March 29, 2020 by Kate Kuckro

Grandparents with grandchildFor some grandparents, caring for grandchildren has been the situation for years – as primary caregivers and as support for their working adult children. With the Coronavirus, many parents in essential positions have to work and are looking to grandparents and other relatives for help while most schools and childcare centers are closed.  No matter how much you love your grandkids, keeping all of you safe at home presents many challenges, including keeping them engaged and learning.  

Below are some  online resources to keep you going.  Of course, you need decent internet access, so if you know families without Internet access, they can find resources for access to free and low cost internet coverage here and if your grandchildren are in grades 3 to 12 in San Francisco, they may be able to borrow a Chromebook. 

Generations United Grandfamilies Fact Sheet

Generations United has a good article about grandparents as primary caregivers during the Coronavirus and a very helpful fact sheet with tips on hygiene, accessing food and medication, accessing technology, staying connected, talking with children about the virus, managing anxiety and stress, and backup planning 
 

Practice Excellent Hygiene

To keep both you and your grandchildren as safe as possible, be sure to practice all the standard recommendations for preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. Have some fun with it! Find songs to sing while washing hands and demonstrate what soap can do with a quick science experiment. 
 

Find San Francisco Resources

  • The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has an excellent page with Coronavirus updates, including Home Learning Resources,  Internet and Technology Assistance, many Family Resources, and Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Find days, times, and locations for picking up free meals for children while schools are closed.
  • There are limited options for emergency child care, restricted at this time to children of San Francisco-based hospital staff, Department of Public Health employees (including community clinics), and activated disaster service workers.
  • The SF Department of Children, Youth and Families Resource Guide has tips on talking with children about the Coronavirus, plus creative arts, language arts, outdoor activities, STEM, and more.
  • KQED has published an extensive At Home Learning Guide, as well as some tips on How to Support Families and Out-of-School Kids 

Visit San Francisco Public Libraries Online

The physical libraries may be closed, but there are plenty of Children’s resources online. Use your library card for ebooks, movies, online games, and more. Students at San Francisco public schools automatically have a library card, called the “Scholar Card”.  To activate your Scholar Card, email info@sfpl.org from your SFUSD address.
 

Stay Active!

  • Resource guide to outdoor activities & recreation
  • Dance and exercise on Go Noodle (has some ads)
  • Don’t miss live Instagram Early Birds (ages 3-7) dance classes from Debbie Allen Dance Studio. Watch earlier stretching and African dance, introduction to tap, and more. Follow @therealdebbieallen and @officialdadance to find times for the next live classes. 

Discover Virtual Museums, Monuments, & More

  • Google Arts & Culture
  • Aquarium of the Pacific Academy has live cams, worksheets, and other educational material. For more virtual visits with animals see the Monterey Bay Aquarium Cams and San Diego Zoo Cams.

Search for More Ideas and Resources 

Many people are sharing ideas. Here are just a few
  • Common Sense Media’s Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Keep Kids Busy & Grow Their Brains at the Same Time
  • Low-Tech Activities to Stay Busy
  • Inexpensive Activities with Kids (not all of these work with social distancing, but many do) 
  • Operation Storytime – Authors Read Children’s Books
  • Kid’s Music Concerts
  • Giant List of Ideas for Being Home with Kids (crowdsourced Google document)

Reduce Your Own Stress!

  • Lots of time home can be stressful on everyone. If you need advice or just a safe space to vent, call the Safe & Sound 24/7 TALK line – 415‑441‑KIDS (5437)

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Resources

Fun (Free) Things to Do From Home

March 27, 2020 by Kate Kuckro

How are you spending your time at home? This time of sheltering in place doesn’t have to be boring!  Take some time exploring some of the offerings available online – there are many ways to stay engaged and  learn new things! There are even a few free-to-low cost Internet access options during the pandemic. 

Stay Connected with Virtual Classes, Social Groups and More

  • happy woman on computerJoin Community Living Campaign’s new Virtual Community Connector Network for exercise classes, writing groups, healthy aging workshops, social gatherings, and more – all available by phone or video!
  • Find a wide range of classes and groups at Covia Well Connected – 877.797.7299,  Winter Catalog. Registration Form. Flyer.or Covia Bien Conectado – 877.400.5867, Catálogo Actual. Forma de Registración. Folleto.
  • Enjoy online tech and exercise classes from Senior Planet (be sure to note the time zone!) and get tips on surviving at home: 
  • And try Dorot University Without Walls – 877-819-9147. March-June Catalog. for even more classes, including ones in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Russian.

Enjoy Performances from Your Couch

  • Linda Moody singing with guitarWatch Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony’s Keeping Score series with concerts  and documentaries featuring numerous composers. 
  • Listen to the many virtual choirs that don’t let physical distance get in the way of performance: Down to the River, True Colors (Camden Voices), You Will Be Found (Dear Evan Hansen), and What the World Needs Now (Berklee School of Music) and a Virtual Choir Playlist  from Eric Whitacre.
  • Enjoy one opera per evening from the Metropolitan Opera.
  • Visit the Social Distancing Festival Calendar for today’s selection of dance, music, and other performances.
  • Support the many artists out of work during this pandemic.
 

Visit Virtual Museums, Monuments, & More

  • Screenshot of Google Arts and Culture webpageDiscover museums and much more on Google Arts & Culture or download the Arts & Culture app for iOS or Android to match your selfie with a famous portrait, explore art by time and color, and see close-ups of artworks all over the world.
  • Explore your favorite San Francisco museums, streets, and cultural institutions without leaving your home
  • Find soothing wildlife camera feeds from Monterey Bay Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo 
  • Transport yourself to Jamaica with the Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright playlist or listen to another place-based Spotify playlist.
  • Spend time on a Perth dog beach, journey on a Norwegian canal, walk around Tokyo, or tune in to other “slow TV” experiences. 
  • Even visit a virtual pub for a Quiz Night!

Get Cooking

  • Above view of two hands of a senior woman working to do a fresh fruit salad. Wooden table with a large group of colorful fruits and vegetables. Healthy eatingUse Fridge to Table and Eat Fresh  to find recipes using what’s in your fridge (and pantry)
  • Find a week of healthy meals and shopping list  to minimize trips to the store. Or make your own plan with an app like MealPlannerPro or Mealime.
  • Find tips on how to cook on a budget or brush up on your knife skills and other techniques
  • Learn the science behind your cooking on Serious Eats 
  • Take a free online healthy soup-making course (Click on the green “add coupon” and use the coupon code BEWELL)
  • Watch a video on how to safely unpack your groceries.

Learn New Things

  • close up of older man writingUse the Class Central directory or Coursera to find free university courses on topics both fun and serious
  • Listen to TED talks on many topics, and in many languages.
  • Visit Tech Boomers for step by step courses about tech basics, as well as websites and apps for Entertainment, Shopping, Socializing, Business, and much more.

Be Creative

  • colored pencils and blurred drawingDownload free coloring pages by artist Jennifer Judd-McGee and color away! For more pages, try Color Our Collections pages by over 100 museums.
  • Learn to draw for free on Skillshare.com (plus writing, photography, design, and many other free creative offerings – just be sure to filter for free classes). For even more ideas, see the guide by My Modern Met.
  • Share your stories and explore writing in one of CLC’s virtual writing groups
  • Start a gratitude journal or just keep a record of your life under social distancing – a journal, sketches, blog, collage, photos, or whatever works best for you 
  • Refine your musical techniques 

Keep Movin’ and Groovin’

  • close up of exercising with resistance bandDance for Strength with Kyra! Seated warmup, standing warmup, and upper-body dance for strength videos. We’ll keep posting more videos, and will be offering live stream exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11am. Want to dance on your own? Kyra has also shared a YouTube playlist and Spotify playlist with some great songs to get you moving.
  • Don’t miss dancing with Debbie Allen on instagram! Watch earlier Instagram live dance and salsa classes. And follow @therealdebbieallen, @officialdadance to find times for the next live classes. 
  • Try YMCA 360’s  large number of exercise videos, including 3 workouts specifically for older adults. The YMCA of San Francisco is also live-streaming exercise classes daily. 
  • Get moving with Silver Sneakers workout tips and Silver Sneakers YouTube videos (plus some Medicare plans also include access to on-demand workout videos).
  • Find Resistance Band Exercises for Seniors (Livestrong) or Really, Really Short Workouts (NY Times). 
  • Explore Yoga for a range of abilities and sizes: Chair Yoga Benefits and Poses, Adaptive Yoga Video, Restore Yoga Video for Everybody
  • Looking for even more? Search for Senior Fitness videos on YouTube.

Stay Calm!

  • lotus and lily padsTry meditation with virtual classes and  meditation groups at the diverse East Bay Meditation Center; at the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (East Coast), including a Sangha for People with Dis/Abilities and Deaf People; and via Pandemic Care Resources from Tara Brach.
  • Learn more about music for wellness 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Resources

Come to Our May 10 Launch Party of ‘Passport to the Digital World’

May 1, 2018 by Kate Kuckro

Photo of Passport to Digital World with Mousepad

The Passport to the Digital Word introduces 16 topics, from online safety to finding healthy aging resources, to online fun.

Calling San Francisco seniors and people with disabilities! There’s a whole digital world waiting for you. Learn how to get started and safely find your way to information, connections and fun online with our Passport to the Digital World.

We’ll be launching the Passport on May 10  as part of the Library’s Connect with Tech Week.  Join the party on May 10 from 12:00-1:30pm at the Main Library Learning Center on the 5th floor.  (Please let us know if you’re coming so we can have enough food and drink!)

 

Introducing Digital Learning Resources

Excelsior senior in computer lab With the Passport to the Digital World, seniors and people with disabilities can learn at their own pace and in a location that feels best for them – in a SF Connected computer lab, at their SF Library branch, with a friend. There are classes and one-on-one tutoring available throughout San Francisco.  

The Passport includes 14 “places” to visit in the online world: Getting Online (device and web browser basics), Navigating the Web Safely, Finding Tech Support, Writing and Sending Email, Listening to Music, Trying Social Media, Video Chatting, Playing Games Online, Shopping Online, Finding Healthy Recipes, Finding Food, Finding Transportation, Researching a Medical Condition, and Reading or Watching the News. There are also two bonus “places” to encourage learners to learn find other topics. Each topic includes two or three tasks for learners to master for a “stamp” on their passport.

For more on the topics, see the  Online Learning Resources webpage. The resources page is currently available in English, and will soon be available in Spanish and Chinese.

Celebrating Accomplishments

Cayuga seniors share photos on tabletAs participants complete tasks, trainers at participating organizations will “stamp” their passports for them. We will celebrate progress with  parties in the fall and spring.

We will invite participants  to join their Digital World neighbors to celebrate progress and learn from each other.  The parties will include recognition and certificates for those who complete their passports, as well as raffles for passport holders at all stages of learning.

San Francisco Organizations Join Forces to Increase Digital Literacy

The Passport is organized by the SF Tech Council, an organization of government, non-profit, and business leaders working to advance digital inclusion through policy, Council-led initiatives, and program support for older adults and people with disabilities. The Council’s Access and Learning Workgroup created the Passport to the Digital World to:

  • Increase beginning computer users’  interest in all of the exciting things available online
  • Share and publicize the many learning and technology access resources available to San Francisco seniors and people with disabilities
  • Help participants  find the resources and classes they need to get connected and safely navigate the internet
  • Help organizations and tutors to find and share our teaching resources 
  • Provide a set of specific skills for each 

As we launch the Passport, our partners include the Community Living Campaign, Community Technology Network, Felton Institute, and San Francisco Public Library. We welcome additional partners! If interested, please contact info@sftechcouncil.org to join the initiative, get a teaching packet, and more resource links.

 

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Resources

March 2018 News: Mayoral Forum, Loneliness is Bad for Your Health, and More

March 1, 2018 by Kate Kuckro

Read our March 2018 Newsletterscreenshot of March 2018 newsletter to learn more about:

  • Loneliness Is Bad For Your Health Forum, Wednesday, March 21, 6:30 – 8:30PM
  • Upcoming Mayoral Candidates Events on April 26 at 10:30AM at the Herbst Theater,401 Van Ness Avenue and Thursday, April 12 at 1187 Franklin Street.
  • Dignity Fund updates
  • Computer Lab and Class schedules for our 1663 Mission Street Lab, a
    s well as others throughout the City. Plus Preserving Memories events for scanning your photos.
  • Work Matters Forum on SF ReServe and other employment options, Thursday, March 22 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, 1187 Franklin Street, 
  • And other upcoming events, program highlights, and more!

Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Building Community, Computers & Digital Literacy

February 2018 Newsletter: Our New Office, Watchdogging the Dignity Fund, Upcoming Events and More!

January 31, 2018 by Kate Kuckro

Screenshot of February 2018 NewsletterRead our February 2018 Newsletter
to learn more about:

  • With Gratitude to All Who Warmed Our New Office
  • Attempt to Weaken Dignity Fund Halted (For Now)
  • Key Upcoming Dignity Fund Meetings on February 12, 13, and 14.
  • Fight the Fears: Ways to Respond to ICE Raids 
  • Computer Lab and Class schedules for our 1663 Mission Street Lab and others throughout the City. Plus Preserving Memories events for scanning your photos.
  • And other upcoming events, program highlights, and more!

Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Building Community, Computers & Digital Literacy

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