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Employment & SF ReServe

Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center Partner with SF ReServe

December 19, 2020 by Deborah Finestone

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 Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center as our 2020 Good Neighbor Honoree for  SF ReServe.

Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center is one of SF ReServe’s longest-running partners.

They provide high-quality early childhood education services to a culturally and economically diverse urban population. They use a model that calls for building a community of learners and participants, including parents and the community.

The center serves children ages two through five from all of San Francisco’s neighborhoods. This includes a substantial number of low-income families.

In addition, our ReServist, Judith Baker, works with the center to deliver colorful and cheerful cards and messages.

Filed Under: Employment & SF ReServe, Events & Celebrations, People & Stories

Staying Ready to Work

June 1, 2020 by Jamie Goddard

Hello, again!

Are you:

  • Thinking about looking for a job or changing jobs?
  • Feeling anxious and wondering where to start?
  • Wondering if it’s feasible with the current situation?

Let’s first acknowledge that this is indeed a uniquely challenging time for older adults with disabilities to find work.

Now, let’s focus on what you CAN do and the many resources to support you.

You First!

The first resource is yourself and focusing on the aspects of your life that you can control. Lifestyle choices, such as sleep and eating habits, moving to the best of your physical abilities, positive self-talk and connecting with others.

If you need help finding support for lifestyle improvement, please look at other postings in the “News” section of our website. Additionally, you may want to look at:\

  1. DAS Benefits and Resource Hub, https://www.sfhsa.org/services/access-empowerment/das-benefits-and-resources-hub
  2. Bay Area Community Resource Map: https://www.bayareacommunity.org/#/

Growth Mindset v. Fixed Mindset

Whether you’re currently employed or looking for employment, staying in a position to create options and take opportunities is ever more important. Shelter in place isn’t a notice to stop. Planning may feel thwarted, yet it is now that you can create some space to look at how your mindset impacts your success.

Carol Dweck, the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University is known for her groundbreaking work on mindset. Her work focuses on how our mindset impacts our success and ultimately the quality of our lives.

Enjoy Dr. Dweck’s presentation on, Developing a Growth Mindset. You may want to mark it on your calendar to do so several times a year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ

Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Set goals that feel doable right now; those that will support a growth mindset. Find out more about S.M.A.R.T. Goals right here: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm

Wow! Do you have Skills!

Work, volunteering, being in a community, a family, riding the bus – you are constantly using skills to navigate life. Decision making, leadership, teamwork, critical and analytical thinking…the list goes on!

Create an inventory of your skills. Sit down and start writing. No editing. No evaluating. Get it all out there and set the list aside for a day. When you return, 1. Add to the list, 2. Use a 1-5 scale, color coding, anything that works for you to highlight your strengths and mark areas you’d like to improve upon.

Create your Support Network

 Have you ever had a “Board of Advisors” for yourself? Three to five people who you trust; who will be honest with you; and who have your best interests in mind?

We all have personality traits and skills that we overlook as being unique or strong. Try asking a handful of people what makes you unique and to provide an example. Listen for important words and the story they tell you about how they perceive your strengths.

Perhaps you want to find an Accountability Buddy; someone else who is either looking for employment or who has a goal toward finding work. Dedicating time to check in on your respective goals will help you to move along, adjust along the way and support another person.

 Skills and Telling your Story

Reflect back on the skills you listed and those that your Board of Advisors shared with you. Determine which are most important for the type(s) of position(s) you’re seeking. Which skills can you weave into examples of what you’ve done, how you did it, what the result was and the impact of that result? Create multiple examples that use the vocabulary in job descriptions, from the organization’s website, and research of the work sector(s) you’re exploring.

 These examples will help you communicate YOUR story in a way that shares how you would perform. They will give the interviewer a picture of who you are and how you could be a valuable member of their organization.

Transferable Skills: Existing skills which you can bring to a new job

Upskilling: Building on a skill or skills to increase your knowledge, competence and expertise

Reskilling: Learning new skills for a job you’ve never performed

Your Resume

  • The Penny Hoarder: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/make-money/ways-retirees-can-work-from-home/
  • Flexjobs: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/companies-that-hire-remote-freelance-jobs/
  • AARP: https://www.aarp.org/work/working-after-retirement/info-01-2011/great-work-at-home-jobs-for-retirees.html
  • Retired Brains: https://www.retiredbrains.com/work-at-home.html
  • The Balance Careers: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-part-time-jobs-for-seniors-4138302
  • Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/q-Remote-l-San-Francisco-Bay-Area,-CA-jobs.html
  • com: https://www.linkedin.com
  • ZipRecruiter: https://www.ziprecruiter.com

Your Cover Letters

  • The Interview Guys: https://theinterviewguys.com/cover-letter-examples/
  • Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/how-to-write-perfect-cover-letter/
  • AARP: https://www.aarp.org/work/job-hunting/info-2017/the-new-rules-for-cover-letters.html
  • Zety: https://zety.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cover-letter

 Volunteering

A great way to learn and build upon skills to transfer to the workplace!

  • Volunteer Match: https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering
  • Create the Good/AARP: https://createthegood.aarp.org/
  • Operation Warm: https://www.operationwarm.org/blog/25-volunteer-jobs-to-do-from-home/

Technology and Software Tools

Get comfortable with technology. Zoom, WhatsApp, WeChat, Microsoft Office Suite are just a few examples. Go to the websites of the technology and software tools, go to online universities to get free training. AARP is also a great resource.

Contact Tracer

On May 11, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health launched a free course on Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-contact-tracing?edocomorp=covid-19-contact-tracing, to help states expand their contact tracing capacity by training thousands of contact tracers. It is expected that the U.S. will require 100,000 Contact Tracers, which is work that can be performed virtually.

GOOD LUCK! THIS MAY NOT BE  EASY, BUT YOU CAN DO IT! 

 

Filed Under: Employment & SF ReServe

Financial Security: Food, Employment, and Access to Technology

April 16, 2020 by Jamie Goddard

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

  • AARP has a good overview of the Economic Impact Payments. 
  • Eligibility if you haven’t filed taxes for 2018 or before?
    – Social security and SSI recipients will get payments automatically.
    – Low income Americans who don’t make enough to file taxes can
    use the IRS online form to confirm eligibility and receive the payment.
  • Payments for SSI Recipients are scheduled to go out no later than early May, per an announcement from the IRS on April 14

Workers Impacted by Coronavirus: Furloughed, Reduced Hours, or Laid Off

  • Stay Current with San Francisco’s Office of Employment and Workforce Development postings
  • CA Labor & Workforce Development has a handy chart of Benefits
  • San Francisco can help you with income replacement options
  • How to Apply for Unemployment: For people who have lost hours at work or even their jobs, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities has created this Unemployment flyer in English and Spanish to share information about what you need to file an unemployment insurance claim, how to file a claim, and what happens afterwards.
  • Visit the CA Employment Development Department for even more information

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

  • The SF Office of Economic & Workforce Development has a full list of programs and benefits, including tax filing extensions, eviction protections, healthcare, employment, and more.
  • PG&E Covid-19 Consumer Protections mean you have options to pay for or be covered for your utilities
  • Know your rights and what the moratorium on evictions means for you (for both residents and small businesses) with information inEnglish, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin and other languages.
  • The City is also providing information about other housing related issues. 
  • The Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights for San Francisco Bay Area also provides legal services and support to undocumented residents and those facing discrimination and other issues. 

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”.

  • See what the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information  for the latest information on how to protect yourself 
  • Another good Seniors Guide to Online Safety available here.  
  • Ultimate Internet Safety Guide for Seniors is also here. 

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.

 

 

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Employment & SF ReServe

Older Adult Job Fair A Huge Success

August 29, 2019 by Marie Jobling

1040285So much to be happy about – 404 people registered, almost 500 job seekers attended, nearly 30 employers present, 375 job cards filled out, 116 interviews done, the Mayor and Supervisors Sandra Fewer and Valli Brown spoke, along with DAAS Executive Director Shireen McSpadden and OEWD’s Josh Arce.   

Learn more at a recent post on www.SFSeniorBeat.com.  

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Filed Under: Employment & SF ReServe, Events & Celebrations

Robin Evans, SF ReServe Good Neighbor

June 3, 2019 by Judy Goddess

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.”

Filed Under: Building Community, Employment & SF ReServe, People & Stories, SF Senior Beat Stories, Volunteering & Giving Back

Victor Lam, Computers & Access Good Neighbor

June 2, 2018 by Judy Goddess

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.”

Filed Under: Computers & Digital Literacy, Employment & SF ReServe, People & Stories, Volunteering & Giving Back

Speaking Out to Our Supervisors for Better Employment Opportunities

May 15, 2018 by Marie Jobling

Urgency came through in the voices of those who spoke at the May 9  Board of Supervisors hearing on employment.  Seniors and adults with disabilities both spoke of the economic need in this increasingly expensive City.  But more than that, they shared how they were seeking respect,  purpose, and the ability to contribute their lifetime of experience to improve their communities.

Rebecca Shotwell, pictured left, shared that finding a job “saved her life.”  A graphic artist in the days before Photoshop, Rebecca retired two years before the 2008 financial crisis. Two years ago, after she and her husband had almost depleted their savings, Rebecca started looking for a job, “but who was going to hire an old lady?” Through CLC’s SF ReServe program. Rebecca began working at Aquatic Park Senior Center. They were so thrilled with her skills and contribution, that when a position opened up, they hired her directly.

Increasing Focus on Senior and Disability Employment Challenges

Supervisor Norman Yee, who called for the hearing following CLC’s recent Work Matters! event, recruited Supervisor Sheehy, Rohan, Fewer and Kim as co-sponsors.  

A presentation by SF City Departments introduced the set the stage for the testimony that followed, with data, program overviews and recommendations – linked here.

The hearing was broadcast on SFGov TV – if you missed, you can view the Employment Hearing there (the Employment Opportunities for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities section starts at 1:23).  Thanks to everyone who came and who spoke.  We are hopeful that this will lead to more scrutiny and more funding to address this pressing issue.  

Stay tuned!!

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Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Aging with a Disability, Employment & SF ReServe, Volunteering & Giving Back Tagged With: community organizing, contribution, employment, financial security, Healthy Aging, justice, leadership

Most Older Adults Want to Contribute to Society, and Many Do, New Study Shows

April 26, 2018 by Judy Goddess

SENIOR BEAT – The majority of older adults want to contribute to society. And about a third actively do. That’s according to a collaborative study by researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and the San Francisco-based non-profit Encore.org.

Findings and recommendations from the Pathways to Encore Purpose Project were presented at the recent 2018 American Society on Aging conference by  Encore Project Director Jim Emerman.

For the past two decades Encore, an organization dedicated to connecting people in later life with work opportunities that benefit society, has been looking at the role of purpose. In 2005, its predecessor, Civic Ventures, initiated The Purpose Prize for midlife adults whose volunteer commitments were making significant contributions to contemporary life.

The study defines purpose as a “sustained commitment to goals that are meaningful to the self and that also contribute in some way to the common good, to something larger than or beyond the self.” Purposeful living is “a stable and generalized intention to accomplish something that is at once meaningful to the self and of consequence to the world beyond the self.”

Study participants were asked to rate 10 life goals in terms of importance, and answer questions about their ongoing commitment to their top three. One of those had to be a beyond-the-self goal, and backed by a strong commitment, defined as involvement at least once a month. “We set the bar high,” Emerman said. “Purposeful activity had to be very much part of their identity.”

Defining life goals

The team surveyed a national sample of 1,200 adults ages 50 to 92 and conducted hour-long phone interviews with 102. The study found that:

  1. The majority of older adults exhibit high levels of pro-social values and behaviors, such as volunteering, helping and caring for others, caring for nature and the environment, endorsing equal treatment for all, and seeking to understand people who are different from themselves.
  2. Nearly a third of older adults (31 percent) actively pursue goals that are both personally meaningful and contribute to the greater good. “Purpose does not decline with age. Thirty-one percent is as high as the Stanford researchers saw in any age group previously studied,” said Emerman.
  3. While the pursuit of purposeful living is significantly higher among people of color than among whites and Asians, it is found across ethnicities, age, income, health status and geography.
  4. Purposeful living does not crowd out other pleasures or personal goals. In fact, a greater percentage of purposeful respondents than non-purposeful respondents saw later adulthood as a time to do self-oriented activities like traveling or taking classes.
  5. People who are purposeful have a positive outlook on life. Purposeful older adults emphasize the joy and satisfaction they experience in their lives, especially in their beyond-the-self engagements.
  6. Freedom is important to purposeful and non-purposeful people in different ways.  About half those with purpose emphasized the freedom to be involved in things beyond the self; the non-purposeful mostly looked at freedom as relief from the burdensome responsibilities of paid work and childrearing.
What does it all mean?

For older people, it means finding something beyond yourself that you’re passionate about and go after it: tutor children, volunteer, clean the neighborhood park, work for world peace. Though not addressed in the Stanford research, it should be noted that the act of volunteering has “a significant, positive effect on the mental and physical health and well-being of volunteers, especially those who are older and/or low-income,” according to the work of Carr, Greenfield & Marks, Kim & Konrath, Moen & Fields, and others cited in the Encore study.

The study also looked at those who did not fit their definition of active engagement in purposeful living. About half of them were not interested in engaging in any “beyond-the-self” activities. About a fifth of those were involved but, for various reasons such as travel, poor health, and family commitments had not pursued any beyond-the-self activity for the past month.

For organizations looking for volunteers, the study advises:

Build on people’s specific expressions of interest to find the right match for engaging them in purposeful pursuits.

  • Provide transitional support for volunteers when a program closes or changes its focus.
  •  Reach out to newcomers in the community, suggesting volunteering as a way they can get to know their new neighborhood and neighbors.
  • Connect retired professionals with opportunities to continue using their skills in satisfying ways.
  • Help occasional volunteers make the transition to more substantial involvement when they are ready, often after retirement or other life events.
  • Expand the use of stipends or other compensation, such as transportation reimbursement or meals, especially for roles that require a sustained commitment.
  • Cast a wider net in seeking volunteers. “By only concentrating on the elites (the highly educated, healthy and wealthy), we’re missing a large chunk of the population,” Emerman said.
Some purposeful people in San Francisco

Over the past two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and interview many older adults who lead what can be described as purposeful lives. Some were passionate volunteers.  Others worked for stipends or minimum wage. Their stories, which I’ve abbreviated here, have been published in the Ingleside-Excelsior Light, the San Francisco Bayview, or sfcommunityliving.org.

Saralyn Archie is one of seven volunteers who package and deliver groceries to homebound seniors in the OMI neighborhood of San Francisco. She grew up in the neighborhood and many of the elders on her route are the parents of her friends. “I look forward to seeing everyone on my route.  I’m looking out for them and they’re looking out for me. They’re my seniors. It’s a treat for me to be able to give something to people.”

Kathryn Summers

Kathryn Summers started the Bayview Imani Breast Cancer Support Group when her little sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time there were no such groups for African-American women. Though her sister did not survive, Summers vows to keep active in the group “as long as I have the time and enough energy.”

Mary Lou Bartoletti calls Sheridan Elementary School in Oceanview-Ingleside “a hidden gem. I knew I wanted to contribute, to volunteer with students in math,” she said. “Best of all, they needed me. It’s really rewarding when a student has a breakthrough; I feel I’m doing something worthwhile.”

Done Robblee

Donne Robblee is a classroom volunteer at Monroe Elementary School in the Excelsior District, through the Foster Grandparents program, for which she receives a small stipend. “If kids don’t get a good start, they’ll never catch up. I enjoy helping kids get that chance. It’s neat when you see a child’s face when he gets it, when he starts raising his hand.”

Helen Carter ostensibly teaches computer skills to women attending the computer lab at Senior Disability and Action, a San Francisco nonprofit. What she really does, said her supervisor Alice Chiu, “is create a community. She uses the computer lab to break isolation. They eat lunch together. I hear them laugh. I’ve heard them singing.” Carter, who is paid through the San Francisco ReServe Employment program, is more modest: “I enjoy sharing and helping people learn, especially seniors, and they’re happy learning.”

Daniel Billings returned to his first love, volunteering, when his company closed and he couldn’t find a job. He had been attending a men’s group at Curry Senior Center before he began volunteering in their dining room. When a ReServe position at Curry became available, he was encouraged to apply. “I love Curry and what they do. I feel like I’m blessed.”

Robert Mason

Robert Mason, a longtime volunteer at his church, Temple United Methodist, began helping in the food pantry, the third largest pantry in San Francisco, once he retired. Concerned about the long wait – sometimes up to an hour – for recipients to get their food, he decided they some improvements. It didn’t take long before he designed a system of time slots– the first among the city’s food pantries. Now no one has to wait longer than 15 minutes. Periodically, they rotate which group goes first, so no one feels left behind.

These are stories from only a few of the people I have met. San Francisco, and I imagine every city, has many older people who want to contribute and whose energy, thoughtfulness and love can make the world a better place.

The encore phase of life “is not a swan song, but a variation on a theme: the desire to go on, even in the face of adversity or loss,’’ Dr. Gene Cohen, whom some call the founder of the field of gerontology, wrote in his 2005 book “The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain.” “This need to remain vital can lead to new manifestations of creativity and social engagement that make this period full of surprises. … Released from overly negative illusions about aging, people are often stirred by new energy, direction, or purpose.”

Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Employment & SF ReServe, SF Senior Beat Stories, Volunteering & Giving Back Tagged With: active engagement, contribute to society, Encore, judy goddess, meaningful contributions, Pathways to Encore Purpose Project, purposeful living, senior study, Stanford Graduate School of Education, Volunteer

Our ‘Work Matters!’ Event Helps Connect Seniors and People with Disabilities to Jobs

April 3, 2018 by Marie Jobling

Over 100 people gathered at the Unitarian Conference Center on March 22 to increase the pathways to meaningful employment for seniors and people with disabilities of all ages. 

This second Work Matters! gathering comes as CLC’s SF Reserve marks its first year of successfully placing people in part-time and project-based work at non-profit organizations in San Francisco.  

Working Together was the Order of the Day 

The event included those looking for work as well as those engaged with SF ReServe, plus a large number of seniors employed by the Felton Institute’s Senior Community Services Employment Program. Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of the Department of Aging and Adult Services, kicked off the day with a commitment of her support for efforts to put more seniors and adults with disabilities to work, followed by Jarlene Choy, Aide to Supervisor Norman Yee, who announced he will hold a Board of Supervisor’s hearing on the issue very soon.  

San Francisco Senior Center Director and Reservist talked about how ReServe has made a difference in both of their lives.  ReServist Judy Goddess shared her journey, which include 14 hours of retirement followed by 5 years of caregiving, and now the exciting opportunity to launch the Senior Beat Reporters though SF ReServe. 

Telling Our Stories 

Diane Krantz led a spirited conversation at tables at those present shared their experiences and ideas for the future, with report-outs to all present.  After a delicious lunch prepared by CLC staff and the employment program Bakeworks, a panel offered diverse and energizing perspectives on the journey to meaningful work and engagement. Panelists included Jonathan Lyens, President of the FDR Democratic Club, Cathy Spensley from the Felton Institute, Michael Pappas, Executive Director of the Interfaith Council, and Hope Levy, Geronologist and trainer.  

Resources for Everyone 

The event also included organizations info resources. The occasion provided the opportunity to put together a couple of documents we can share on-line – an overview of the issue called Help Us Improve the Employment Picture  and a detailed list Resources..   

For more information about SF ReServe and other efforts to improve employment options for seniors and adults with Disabilties, contact Alicia Crawford at alicia@sfcommununityliving.org.

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Filed Under: Action & Advocacy, Aging with a Disability, Employment & SF ReServe, Resources, Volunteering & Giving Back Tagged With: contribution, employment, financial security, leadership

Senior Beat Hits the Streets to Amplify the Voices of Older Adults

March 26, 2018 by Robin Evans

picture of senior beat team

Senior Beat team: Reporters Judy Goddess, Mary Hunt and Jan Robbins, and Editor Robin Evans. (Photo by Kate Kuckro)

We’re proud to announce The Senior Beat, a new effort to amplify the voices of San Francisco’s older adults. We’ll report on news of interest to seniors, but just as importantly, what they have to offer the rest of the city’s residents: their experiences, their opinions, their stories, and their contributions to their communities and the life of this world-famous city.

The Senior Beat is an initiative of the Community Living Campaign’s  SF ReServe program, which matches seniors and people with disabilities with part-time, paid opportunities at local nonprofits and public agencies.

Senior Beat launch

In this debut, Senior Beat reporterJudy Goddess describes the latest sporting trend among older adults – the city is trying to keep up. Jan Robbins writes about the Sunset District’s neighborhood-friendly “blue house,” and offers a comprehensive look at end of life discussions and decisions. With so many new options, what’s a body to do?  Mary Hunt has written about building community resilience in Miraloma Park, and how a West Portal clubhouse serves seniors as well as youth.

These stories can be found on the Community Living Campaign’s website. Some also appear in various neighborhood newspapers. Robbins writes for the Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon; Goddess for the Ingleside-Excelsior Light and the San Francisco BayView; and Hunt for the West Portal Monthly.

The Senior Beat is a fledgling step toward creating a society where people of all ages see, hear and benefit from one another.

Just what’s a senior?

One-fifth of the nearly 900,000 people who live in San Francisco are 60 or older. One definition of senior is “holding a high and authoritative position.” That’s not just CEOs and mayors, but all the people who have given the city and its neighborhoods their unique character. These are the people who have lived its culture shifts and felt its growing pains.

Many were around in the ‘60s when Flower Power upended neighborhoods and the nation, and in the ‘70s when New Age ideas challenged traditional spirituality. They have survived war and recessions and witnessed the birth and growth of the digital age. They are still learning, still exploring and sometimes innovating – filling gaps in their communities and society. They have stories to tell, wisdom to impart, ideas worth considering.

Click on the Senior Beat link at the top right of the Community LIving Campaign’s home page, or go directly to the  Senior Beat page, which is where you can search for stories or authors. And follow our Facebook page to get new stories right in your mailbox.

Please share this with anyone you know who would be interested, from family and friends and seniors to organizations that work with seniors or adults with disabilities. And if you have a website that offers links to other resources, please consider including The Senior Beat: sfcommunityliving.org/category/senior-beat-reporters. 

If you have story ideas, you can contact :
Judy at jgoddess-seniorbeat@sfcommunityliving.org;
Jan at jrobbins-seniorbeat@sfcommunityliving.org;
Mary  at mhunt-seniorbeat@sfcommunityliving.org.

Filed Under: Employment & SF ReServe, SF Senior Beat Stories Tagged With: community living campaign, san francisco seniors, senior adults, senior beat, senior reporters, senior voices, seniors, sfreserve

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