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.

Marie Jobling

CLC Board of Directors Adopts Leadership Statement on DEIB

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The CLC Board of Directors approved a strong statement on our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Including and Belonging to guide the continuing efforts of our DEIB Task Force in implementing a focused list of recommendations.  More information to follow, but we wanted to share the statement as soon as possible, included below.  

DEIB Initiative Leadership Statement  Adopted by the CLC Board of Directors July 27, 2021

Our Commitment

Diversity

We believe that developing a workplace and leadership structure that is representative and inclusive of race, ability, age, language, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion is critical to accomplishing our organizational mission and addressing the injurious effects of systemic power and privilege.  We believe that when we better reflect the communities we serve, our ability to identify and understand the needs of those communities grows, and our work has a greater impact.  

Equity

We strive to empower those who experience systemic and historic oppression by building workplace norms and practices that aim to treat everyone equitably by encouraging everyone to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and opinions, paying particular attention to how privilege has historically been given, and how that history provides advantage to some groups and individuals over others.

Inclusion

We acknowledge that social identities impact the way people communicate, whose opinions are respected, and who struggles with misconceptions, judgments, or preconceived notions. We work to foster a welcoming and collaborative environment where those who may otherwise be silenced are included and respected, so that they can bring their best skills and talent to their work, feel fulfilled and feel unified as a team, knowing that together, we have more impact.

Belonging

We are committed to fostering an open and trusting workplace culture, where biases and stereotypes are discussed and challenged using shared norms and language and everyone feels clearly aligned with CLC’s values, mission, and commitment to equity, fairness, and racial justice.

Snapshots from Good Neighbor Summer Activities

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It has been a good summer so far and we are delighted each time we see old friends and new acquaintances in person.   We have been walking, excercising, practicing yoga, doing improv, celebrating birthdays, visiting friends in hospitals and assisted living, honoring those that have passed, standing strong for justice and so much more. 

Here a some snapshots of summer activities on their way to an album.  Stay tuned, more to come. 

Community Connector Networks Seek Safe & Accessible Transportation

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The Community Living Campaign is  submitting a proposal to Supervisor Myrna Melgar and the Participatory Budget Process in Supervisor District 7.   The goal is to improve safe and accessible transportation options for older adults and adults with disabilities in our District 7 Community Connector neighborhoods and beyond. Those networks got started as a partnership between CLC and neighborhood leaders and garnered the support of Supervisor Norman Yee. CLC has been able to continue and stabilize the funding for these networks since the initial start-up funds through the Participatory Budget process and since Supervisor Yee initiated add backs in the City Budget process.  

With the pandemic and increasing challenges related to transportation, especially for those on the Southwest part of the City, we are looking to expand our transportation efforts in a focused effort to bring more  transportation resource to these networks. Knowing how challenging transportation can be for seniors and adults with disabilities, Community Living Campaign launched a Transportation Support program in January of 2020. The goal of our program remains connecting neighborhood residents with free and low-cost transportation options, as well as empower residents to navigate the transportation system and advocate for the services they need.  We have started to provide services to residents of District 7: 

  • Awarded 30 Essential Trip Card subsidies for free taxi rides
  • Awarded 58 free Lyft vouchers
  • Provided free transportation to vaccine appointments for 8 residents

CLC has enjoyed consistent support for the work of our community connector networks and believe this project will strengthen what already exists, as described below by leaders in our Community Connector networks. 

Midtown Terrace Community Connector, Evernease Cook, Community Advocate

Anytime a neighborhood strengthens relationships with older adults, it’s a stronger community. Our connector program mattered greatly during the pandemic. So many of our seniors felt isolated —several live alone and depended on the Connector program for updates and information; it provided events, like walking and waving, which gave them something to look forward to. On one of our walks, we visited the Fire House (285 Olympia Way) to thank them for being there for us. I had my 9 year-old grand-daughter with me, and the fire fighters let her try on a fire hat and let us take as many photos we wanted.  They were so glad to meet people in the neighborhood, we created a bond. 

Merced Extension Triangle – Marc Christensen, President of METNA

I fully endorse and encourage connector programs across the district; as District 7 works to strengthen our neighborhood resilience program a connector program would loop in our senior population (like Sunnyside, Midtown Terrace and Miraloma Park). In this last pandemic year, METNA had more knowledge and relationships with our seniors because of the Connector program allowing us to help with food security and distribution of PPE and sharing important information and updates.

Sunnyside Community Connectors, Alice Guidry, Community Advocate

The CLC Community Connector Program is successful in the Sunnyside community. We have been able to better synchronize our Sunnyside Neighborhood Association (SNA) with our seniors. For example, when the Sunnyside Community Connectors were planning a Fair Safety and Emergency Preparedness Fair with SF FD (and other safety organizations) — they promoted to our entire community via the SNA newsletter and flyers. Using SF FD demo, our seniors learned how to operate a fire extinguisher—we were so grateful, as they feared having to use it. This is important safety fair  brought our community together.

Darlene Ramlose, Miraloma Park

Community Connectors of Miraloma Park and MPIC (Miraloma Park Improvement Club) joined forces to advise Supervisor Melgar and the SMFTA of the importance of providing service of the 36/52 bus line in order to serve the entire community of those who travel to work or play using this bus line, especially our seniors who rallied to support the request as many of them use the 36/52 on a regular basis to get around the City.

Eileen Picaro, Resident in Glen Park
 

CLC Connector’s program has given me great support. I never feel alone because I know they’re there. All I have to do is make a phone call, and they’re willing to help out in anyway they can. I have benefited from their resources. Making sure I have meals and fresh vegetables and fruits. They send little cards on special days.  They let you know we’re loved and not forgotten. First time in my life I feel I have connections, and what a comfort that is. Making friends with other folks the same as me. Keeping us informed. What a relief that was during and still is concerning Covid-19. They have a lot of different programs to get involved with. I have especially benefited from their writing classes, and exercise classes. I’ve gotten much from special speakers, such as on Hypertension, diabetes, and other subjects.

 

 

Special Chinese New Year’s Celebration a Big Hit

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The Computer students in our Chinese language tech classes convinced CLC computer trainers Wan He (Wanda) Liu and Yin Ying (Fiona) Ren to organize a special celebration on Zoom to share songs and good wishes for the new year.  The event, held February 17,  welcomed the Year of the Ox with some of our Chinese Language computer classes‘ dancers and singers. Nearly 100 participants came to hear Chinese New Year Blessings and enjoy folk dance and songs. Performances included Chinese classical dance, fan dance, top bowl dance, and Yajia Electonic Saxophones.  And folks clearly were enjoying seeing each other after what for some had been a very long time.

Home Delivered Groceries Meet Critical Need

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The level of food insecurity and down right hunger have also been a part of life for too many San Franciscans but the pandemic has only made things worse.  That makes the work of our Home Delivered Grocery Team all the more critical.  With Chester Williams, Vernice Ross  and the rest of the Unity Resources Inc (URI) taking the lead in the Bayview, Glen Deb, her family and friends, and Reggie Williams taking the lead in the OMI and Karen Holt, Elaine Chea and colleagues for the Parkmerced University Park area.   A special shout out to Catholic Charities who have helped secure a tent for the wet and windy weather for Tuesday packing and to Meals of Wheels, who have opened up their site for packing every Thursday.   If you would like to help out, contact Kate@sfcommunityliving.org.

 

OWL Workshop on Patient Rights

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On February 27, we provided a workshop on Patient Rights that touched on a range of topics in a virtual session.   One challenge is that we cannot pass around important information and resources, so instead have created this post to be able to link information for individuals interested in key issues related to safe hospital discharges.   Those materials are linked below by topic.

Preparing for A Hospital Stay

Hospital Discharge planning checklist from CMS

Importance of Having an Advocate

Thoughts on Being A Patient Advocate

Advanced Directive Form

Advanced Directive Consumer Factsheet

Beware of being in the Hospital on Observation Status – (see more information on the Medicare Rights site)

Infogram about Observation-Status

Observation-Status Frequently Asked Questions

Beware Observation Status at the Hospital

Self-Help Packet for Medicare Observation Status

Observation-Coalition-Fact-Sheet 

How to Appeal An Unsafe Discharge

Wallet Sized Discharge Appeal Info about Levanta

Information about how to Appeal a Discharge from Levanta

Background on the Issue

San Francisco Transitional Care Blueprint – March 22, 2008

 

 

 

Ensure Equity in Aging – Be Culturally Aware

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The development of the California Masterplan on Aging is an important step for California.  As part of the development , the California Department of Aging is hosting a series of Webinars toward greater cultural awareness and humility.   Sessions are free and available on regularly, with sessions recorded in case you miss one. Over the next several months, CDA will host an Ensuring Equity in Aging webinar every first Wednesday, from 10-11am. Presentations will cover a range of topics including the value of cultural traditions and harnessing community strengths and assets. They will also detail how historic and systemic discrimination and internal biases harm the wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ, disabled older adults, and in different ways, all Californians. Speakers address how we can work together to address the resulting inequities through culturally responsive policy, program, and service planning and delivery.

Upcoming Programs: 

If you missed the first few, you can still join in with these recorded sessions. 

This and other important information is posted on CDA’s Equity in Aging Resource Center.

The Transition from Hospital To Home – San Francisco Must Do Better

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The transition from hospital to home has always been fraught with peril.   Now has  become even more so in the era of COVID-19.  The limits on caregivers and advocates visiting and supporting a patient in the hospital, the over stretched hospital staff, including social workers and discharge planners, and the significantly reduce options for transitional care are major barriers.   But many of the problems existed before the pandemic.  In fact, a  Transitional Care Blueprint released in San Francisco in 2008 documented the issues and provide a wide range of improvements needed.  A few were implemented and remain, others were implemented and then disappeared when funding was cut.  The rest are still good ideas that could be implemented locally with strong advocacy.   

As more and more of the neighbors we meet through the Community Connector networks and our other programs face increasing illness and disability, this issue has resurfaced as a critical one to address.  One of our earliest neighborhood networks created a team that called itself the “Keep Helen Out of the Hospital” .  A Community Connector enlisted neighbors and health professionals alike to support Helen in this goal.  It included both a good discharge plan but a commitment to prevent re-admissions which are often result from  an unsafe discharge.   CLC is working with the California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) to expand its Safe Hospital Discharge workshops and provide thousands of wallet cards about who to call if you or your loved one is not getting a good discharge.   

CLC will be presenting a workshop at the next OWL meeting on your patient rights in a Navigating Hospital and Beyond.  It will be held Saturday, February 27 from 11:00 to 12:00 on Zoom.  Participants will receive a packet of information via the mail from CLC as well as the Hospital Discharge Wallet Card shown here.  In the meantime, if you would like us to mail you this card, send your address to  info@sfcommunityliving.org.  

To connect with CARA for. workshop near you or if your organization would like to sponsor one, contact jreid.cara@gmail.com.  Or download some of the information  that will be available to those who attend these workshops.

 

Postal Workers Deserve, And Get, Our Thanks

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Community Connectors show their appreciation for Postal Workers, who this year had to battle heat and smoke, bad air, a blizzard of political mail and ballots, and of course COVID 19 to bring the mail to our doorsteps.  Please take a minute to thank the mail carrier who keeps those cards, letters and packages coming.

Keep Us Connected Campaign moving along

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We continue to do advocacy and to share updates with those involved in the Keep Us Connected Campaign.  Attached is a  Presentation we made on November 19 on the CLC Activities Zoom line.   

We have learned the importance of doing a good assessment of need and priorities before deploying equipment and more is on the way.  We wanted to share the Internet and Digital Knowledge Self Assessment Pre -test form  that  we are using so that the process with each and every each and every device that goes to a good home is a good match and makes a difference.