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.

Computers & Digital Literacy

Financial Security: Food, Employment, and Access to Technology

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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.

 

 

Finding Food during the Coronavirus

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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

Find a local Food Pantry & other food options

Consider food delivery options

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.

Resources for Grandparents Home with Grandchildren

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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

 

Find San Francisco Resources

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!

Discover Virtual Museums, Monuments, & More

Search for More Ideas and Resources 

Many people are sharing ideas. Here are just a few

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)

Fun (Free) Things to Do From Home

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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

Enjoy Performances from Your Couch

 

Visit Virtual Museums, Monuments, & More

Get Cooking

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

Keep Movin’ and Groovin’

Stay Calm!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.”

Esselene Stancil, Bayview Computer Class 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 Esselene as our 2019 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Bayview Computer Classes.

In her younger years, Esselene challenged the curriculum in her children’s classroom, and volunteered with POWER as a community organizer. Though she’s less active now, Esselene’s voice still carries weight in her community. So, when she told her friends they needed to enroll in CLCs computer classes, they came.

Computer Learning
“I told them the computer has taken over our lives, we have to learn how to use it,” Esselene explained. “They want to learn but they need a lot of encouragement. We encourage each other, we pick up handouts when someone is sick, and my son drives us home. When they’re afraid to ask questions, I speak for them. It’s like they think I’m in charge; they won’t go unless I’m there.”

Training Led to Unionizing
Esselene trained as a keypunch operator. When racism prevented her from finding a job where she could use those skills, she found work as a pre-school cook, eventually becoming a union rep in what became the Culinary Union.

Chester Williams, coordinator and instructor in CLCs computer classes in Bayview, agrees, “Esselene is really important to our program. She brings the women out and makes sure they keep attending.”

Reducing Barriers for Those with Vision and Hearing Loss

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United Way of the Bay Area’s Francis Goldsmith Fund has helped CLC Vision and Hearing Initiative enrich its work – building community-based and online networks.  The goal is  support for isolated and at-risk seniors and people with disabilities, reducing  the consequences of hearing and vision loss, and helping to ensure that their psychosocial, physical and communication needs are met.

Through our partnerships with the 10 Adult Day Services Centers, assistive aids and equipment were purchased to :(1) provide individual assistance for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities; (2) maintain independent ability to get proper nutrition; (3) rebuild self-confidence through easier access to group socialization activities and (4) computer tutoring; and (5) enhance the safety and mobility to seniors with vision and/or hearing disabilities.

The grant from the Francis Goldsmith Fund enables the Community Living Campaign to showcase assistive technologies and provide training on strategies for living with hearing or vision loss to all of our programs for seniors and people with disabilities. As this work continues, attention is increasingly being given to the development of outcome targets that represent significant changes in the lives of those that benefit.

Over the past year, we have chocked up a solid list of  Initiative accomplishments which support our seniors and persons who experience vision and hearing loss:

Partnership at Adult Day Services (ADS):

 85 seniors served with grant-purchased equipment & devices:

Over 200 Personal Assistive aids and equipment worth over $6,000 through direct requests from the ten Adult Day Services centers’ staff (occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, activities coordinators, directors) for low-income and frail seniors to enhance social engagement, increase independence & reduce isolation and loneliness.

100 seniors and caregivers trained on accessible computers:

In eight ADS centers, 108 seniors have received training and support on accessible desktop computers provided through CLC’s partnership with the Dept. of Aging and Adult Services SF  Connected Program, and on iPads/Tablets with accessibility features and Apps purchased with Goldsmith funding.

12  volunteers and ADS staff members provide volunteer almost 700 hours of computer training in English, Russian, Chinese & Spanish.

Hearing Loss 101 Presentation & Screenings:

In  our Community Connector neighborhoods, we facilitated four Hearing Loss presentations and three hearing screenings.  This resulted in 24 individuals having their hearing tested by the Speech and Hearing Center. Participants also learn about hearing- and vision-related assistive device and strategies that helps seniors remain connected.

Participants in Midtown Terrace Commnity Connector network learn about free specialized phones and mobile phone accessories through the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP).

Emergency Preparedness Focus on Vision & Hearing Loss:

 CLC, in partnership with Community Youth Center-SF (CYC-SF) held our first Emergency Preparedness Academy with CLC staff and Community Connectors. We completed 4 courses in personal preparedness at home, traveling or at work, response and recovery during and after a catastrophic disaster and fire safety and basic first aid. These sessions were made possible through funding from the Department of Building Inspection’s Seismic Safety Outreach Program (SSOP) 

In the fall of 2018, a class of seniors from IT Bookman Senior Center in the OMI neighborhood attended the Emergency Preparedness Academy. Graduates received Emergency Preparedness bags (“Go Bags”) and certificates of completion.

If you would like more information about the program and how it could come to your neighborhood, please contact Sherri Sawyer, Program Director, at sherri@sfcommunityliving.org or by calling (415) 821-1003 ex. 111

Passport Program Brings Digital Literacy to More Seniors and People With Disabilities

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CLC and the SF Tech Council are rolling  out the Passport to the Digital World – a way to increase digital literacy among seniors and people with disabilities .  The project gathers links and tips from experienced technology trainers into guides for both learners and teachers. With these guides, participants can learn  some of the many ways they can connect and find valuable information  online. Read our earlier blog post for more detail on this initiative. 

Digital Literacy Passport Launches with Overflow Crowd

We officially launched this project with a Digital Passport Party during the library’s Connect with Tech Week. The Launch Party drew an overflow crowd (as we scrambled to get  more chairs, more chairs)!  Participants, some of whom came by bus from Visitacion Valley, enjoyed lunch and picked up their passports (available in English, Spanish and Chinese).  They got an overview of how the Passport can guide their learning, and even played Passport Bingo for tech-related prizes.    

Bring the Passport to the Digital World to Your Neighborhood

To learn more about the Digital Passport project, contact us at passport@sftechcouncil.org or go to  www.sftechcouncil.org/passport/. There are digital literacy partners throughout the San Francisco who are helping seniors and people with disabilities embark on their digital journeys.  And if you’d like to use the passport to teach folks in your community, please let us know!


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Victor Lam, Computers & 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 Victor as our 2018 Good Neighbor Honoree for the Computers and Access.

Victor Lam didn’t expect that he would work with computers. A shy, self-taught computer geek, Victor just wanted a job. But one day walking through his neighborhood, he noticed Excelsior Works! (a neighborhood job placement program) and decided to “check it out.” There he met Wanda Liu, a CLC staff person working part-time at the center. Wanda, never one to let a resource go untapped, asked Victor if he’d be interested in helping out in her computer classes.

When Wanda realized the extent of Victor’s skills, she suggested he apply for the ReServe office position at Excelsior Works! Of course, he was hired.

More Than Just a Computer Geek
Victor’s job description has expanded since those early days. While he still assists Wanda with computer classes at the Excelsior Senior Center, Victor also supports the job placement effort at Excelsior Works!, “I help with resumes, cover letters, completing online job applications, and looking for jobs online.”

With a big smile he added, “we just placed four stock associates at Banana Republic.”

Job placement is not the only service the Center offers, nor the extent of Victor’s involvement. Victor helps seniors’ complete applications for housing and uses his language skills to translate documents from English to Chinese.

There’s also record keeping. Victor tracks clients and expenses on Google sheets, and is the go-to guy for troubleshooting computer glitches.

“It’s important to me to be able to help others,” he said. “It gives me pleasure, and I like the constant thanks. Friends say I’m happier now too, I laugh at their jokes.”

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

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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.