CLC’S Chinese Language Computer Students once again shined in this celebration of culture and community.
AUTUMN CHINESE FESTIVAL
Events & Celebrations
CELEBRATING JUDY, JUDY, JUDY
Friends, Family and Co-workers gathered at the CLC office to remember and to celebrate the work of Judy Auda and how she help inspire us through the years. I hope you will take a few minutes to view.
See some of her past projects on a previous blog post.
MISSION PHOTOWALK A FUN, LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Harvey Castro lead a spirit workshop at Ruth’s Table followed by a walk around the Mission to capture some of the images on cell phones or tablets, followed by a session upon their return on how to share the photos with others. This is such a fun idea that we are planning another session in other neighborhoods, including a Photowalk in the Chinese community. Stay tuned to our newsletter for. more information.
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JUDY AUDA
One of the earliest contributors to the Community Living Campaign was Judy Auda, who passed away on May 25 after a long struggle following a major stroke. We want to celebrate her works with us and with a number of community organizations along the way. For CLC, she helped ran our first computer training program, developed our annual events, created the Seeds of Hope Garden party journey, and organized several City Hall events for us with support from the Dept. of Disability and Aging, including the Alzeheimers and Dementia Summit, the Health Aging Summit, and the Aging and Disability and Technology Summit. Plus so many fun activities and adventures along the way. There were civic events that she helped organize and some mementos are included in the slide show below. Judy was always a kid at heart and was gifted in terms of thinking up fun community events for kids young and old. Think of the fun event with balloons, the “belly laugh”, and kites flown from hilltops across the city. She organized 49 Night at the SF Zoo, the 50 year anniversary at Fort Mason and it USO club. She helped organize the Golden Gate Bride Centennial with a special plaza to mark the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. And because we wanted to be fun like Judy, we stood on street corners across the City and all sang the San Francisco song that Jeanette MacDonald made famous at the appointed time. And oh yes, there was the Pacific Ha, an organized minute of laughter that stretched the length of the West Coast. Her imagination and attention to detail made her our pied piper for community engagement and we’re not sure what we will do without her.
Award Event Showcases Kindness
The sixth annual Good Neighbor Award Event brought us together to celebrate the kindness and good work of some special neighbors. If you missed the event or just want to relive, you can view the video of Good Neighbor Summer activities , meet the first round of honorees and the second round of honorees. Or gosh, just sit back and view the event in it entirety.
California Masterplan on Aging Local Event
SAN FRANCISCO REGIONAL FORUM SPOTLIGHTS URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS CRISIS IN HOMELESSNESS FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
October 27, 2021
The CA Master Plan for Aging San Francisco Regional Forum: Ending Homelessness Among Seniors and People With Disabilities
Over 400 people, including policymakers, stakeholders, and service providers in aging, disability and homeless services, joined together on October 26, 2021 to address the growing crisis of unhoused older adults and people with disabilities in the San Francisco region. Organized by the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council of San Francisco, the “ENDING HOMELESSNESS AMONG SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES” forum initiated discussions about implementation of The California Master Plan for Aging (MPA) in San Francisco with an emphasis on homelessness as a top priority.
The event opened with a welcome video by San Francisco Mayor London Breed and a keynote address by Dr. Margot Kushel, Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.
Dr. Kushel provided data showing that the homeless population in San Francisco is aging with every calendar year, with those 50 and older growing from 37% in 2003 to about 50% today. She also brought attention to the troubling health outcomes of people experiencing homelessness in older middle age, noting that health conditions worsen much faster than for those in the general population. For those experiencing homelessness, said Dr. Kushel, we found that “50 is the new 75.” Dr. Kushel ended her remarks with a “call to action” for the system to be more responsive to older adults with a “housing first” model that includes collaborations between aging and homeless services to address their specific needs.
Dr. Kushel’s remarks were followed by a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Del Seymour, Founder and Board member of Code Tenderloin. Panel participants included Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing; Kelly Dearman, Executive Director, San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services; Yolanda Harris, Commissioner, San Francisco Housing Authority; and Beth Stokes, Executive Director, Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco. The panelists shared highlights of collaborative responses underway, including some that emerged from the pandemic
crisis response, and took questions from the virtual audience.
A hallmark of the event was its inclusive access with live captioning, ASL, Chinese and Spanish interpretation, and an open Q &A to ensure accessibility in a virtual Zoom setting. Access was also made possible through viewer watch parties for residents who have experienced homelessness, hosted by partnering service providers – Curry Senior Center, Episcopal Community Services, PRC, and the Felton Institute. Episcopal Community Services held a watch party with residents at the Sanctuary Shelter, and the Felton Institute watch party was held for those who lived in Shelter in Place Hotels during the COVID Pandemic. All of the watch parties fostered conversations among residents and with staff about their own experiences and challenges of finding secure housing in San Francisco and what the City should be doing to address the problem.
The event, sponsored by the Scan Foundation, the Metta Fund, the Dignity Fund Coalition, Homebridge, the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, was especially notable for bringing together service providers, advocates and government leaders who are not often at the same table, yet share a part in forging solutions to the crisis: homeless services, IHSS and older adult services, and disability services. The event generated the beginnings of a common message platform on the issue and raised awareness about the City and County of San Francisco’s current initiatives and potential gaps which can be addressed with increased coordination and collaboration among providers.
For more information about the event and follow-on activities, go to: https://www.sfdignityfund.org. To watch the “Ending Homelessness Among Seniors and People with Disabilities” forum, go to: https://fb.watch/8WCnt3Uuv1/.
The California Master Plan for Aging (MPA), developed with the input of many leaders and advocates in older adult and disability services in the San Francisco region and released by the Newsom Administration in January 2021, outlines five bold goals and twenty-three strategies for implementation by state and local government, communities, and private and philanthropic organizations, including a focus on ensuring housing with appropriate supports and services for
older adults and people with disabilities.
Latino Heritage Month Highlights
September was Latino Heritage Month and Community Connectors Nicky Trasvina and Olivia Franco helped assemble some 
great opportunities for us to learn and enjoy Latino culture.
The month included a curated visit to one of Diego Rivera’s murals
Then Aztec dancers
This dynamic team brought us into their kitchens to prepare some tasty treats – here is a sample – come back soon for 
highlights of this enjoyable program.
You can enjoy their handwork in the kitchen with a video here. And by request, here are their LATINO HERITAGE RECIPES.
And as an extra treat, see Nicky in her kitchen preparing her special Guacamole recipe.
And everyone enjoyed a prize-laden game of Loteria. Thanks Nicky, Olivia and tech back-up Jennifer for bringing this program to the Community Living Campaign.
Midtown Terrace Community Connectors and Friends Had a Busy Month
Good weather and good friends inspired several journeys in over the past month.
Ten CLC participants/SF Giants fans attended the San Diego/SF Giants game on a beautiful day , Thursday, Sept 16, 2021. Everyone had so much fun. We enjoyed the day and received all kinds of positive feedback by text, email and VM saying “the only thing that could have made it better would have been if the Giants had won!”
Thank go to Lila Gee of Midtown Terrace for organizing the purchase of the tickets and to ILWU Local 34 for allowing us two primo parking spaces at their lot right next to Oracle! Thank you volunteer drivers, Rose Aqualina and Nicky. And thank you to the new members who are now joining CLC.
And that’s not all – they enjoyed a trip on the SF Cable cars – view their ride halfway to the stars thanks to Mid-town Videographer DeWayne Austin – join their cable car journey.with some familiar stops along the way.
Snapshots from Good Neighbor Summer Activities
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 from August
And from July – stay tuned more to come.Smiling Eyes, Elbow Bumps Galore at Senior Power Event
We’re back in person!
Senior Power’s outdoor event was a big hit, attracting neighbors in the Sunset to enjoy each other’s company once again, plus enjoy the talents of some of our participants.
Old friends who had not seen each other in a year or more bumped elbows and everyone’s eyes conveyed the smiles that masks couldn’t conceal
“It was a homecoming for many Senior Power participants and a tentative step forward into an enveloping community spirit for others,” said Margaret Graf, Senior Power’s fearless leader. “We’re back. We’re stronger than before. We’re together again.”
“Personally, my heart leaped through my ribcage!” she continued. “All thoughts of the past year’s isolation got pushed aside.”
We got to enjoy the beautiful watercolors by James Mao and marvel at succulents that demonstrate the all-too-important resilience we all have inside. Mary Gayle Thomas also shared her affable, personal stories and poems. See more pictures below!
Come to the next community event!
Thursday, May 13
9:00 to 1:00
Sunset Wellness Mercantile
37th Ave between Ortega & Pacheco
Drop-in any time during the above hours and say “hello.”
We’ll be sharing new exhibits and performances by seniors showing their art, music and stories.
You’ll also find Community Living Campaign’s monthly activity calendar for classes and programs you can enjoy by video or phone. And we’ll have more resources on safety and health for seniors, their families and caregivers.
We’re looking for seniors with talents, hobbies and interests to share!
For more info, to participate, to show off your COVID past-time, your passion, your flair and aptitude — be it musical, artistic or craft — email M. Graf at opoygan1@yahoo.com.
