Midtown Community Connector Network enjoyed the sound stylings of Frank Sinatra (aka Perrish D’Andrea) with one another. Community Connector Nikki Trasvina hosted with food, holiday spirit and lovely picture collages of neighbors. Take a look below!
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St. Francis Square Community Celebrates
St. Francis Square Co-op was the first neighborhood network, inaugurated with the support of CLC and the Board of St. Francis Square Co-op. The Community Living Campaign Committee of the Board and network members celebrated their first ten years with a special event on December 8th. Early founders greeted many new neighbors and remembered those who have passed on who helped create the community ties. Music, poetry and a visit from Supervisor Valli Brown highlighted the afternoon. A photo collage brought back memories of activities over the past 10 years that helped weave community. Take a look below…
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Cayuga Holiday Potluck is an annual community gathering rich with food, fun raffle prizes, music and of course, Santa. Thanks to Patti Spaniak and all the leaders and neighbors who pitched in to make this a grand gesture of community living. Enjoy the pics!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Neighbors and Always Active Instructors celebrate one year of Inner Sunset Community Connectors
Before we opened the doors last October 22nd at St. Anne of the Sunset, we had hoped 15 people might attend our our Monday and Thursday afternoon exercise/community building program. Instead 35 appeared, ready to enjoy the Always Active exercise program. Though most of us lived in the neighborhood, few of us knew one another. The number of participants, and our friendships have only grown from those early days.
One day last summer, when 53 people tried to fit into our summer space at St. John of God, we were in the awkward position of turning away people at the same time we were committed to building community. After several weeks of this, the Community Living Campaign convinced the SF Department of Aging and Adult Services (the city agency that provides the primary funding for this program), to send a second Always Active instructor, allowing us to serve up to 60 people a session. More recently, CLC convinced DAAS to earmark extra funding for a third day of classes. On Tuesdays, beginning November 5, we will offer chair yoga and creative dance on alternative weeks.
MAKING FRIENDS: “I feel healthier which is great but I feel most excited about meeting my neighbors. I don’t feel like a stranger out here anymore.” (Note from a participant)
But we don’t only exercise when we come together. About a month into the program, Marina Lazarra, the community connector from the Community Living Campaign, began offering after-exercises activities. The first classes were on gardening and healthy herbs – Marina’s interests – an ongoing memoir writing class, classes on “finding your style,” earthquake safety, how to get most out of your cell phone, a three-session series on Stroke Awareness, and an evening meeting on Loneliness and Social Isolation engaged participants and brought in new members. More than 10 of us participated in a letter exchange with the fifth graders at the SF Friends School, and were thrilled to attend the children’s dramatization of our life stories.
It’s all coming together, the way we had hoped. The Always Active exercise program and the after-class workshops have led to the development of new friendships. People arrive before class and stay after to exchange gossip. The more able-bodied members look out for those of us who move slower or are less steady on our feet. We are no longer strangers working out, we’re becoming friends. Thanks to this program, retirement and aging are taking on new meaning in the Inner Sunset.
Want to help? Right now, we have a matching gift of up to $10,000. Please donate now to double your impact!
(Enjoy a few pictures from the November 4th Anniversary Celebration and Thank You Event)
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Good Neighbors Gather To Celebrate and To Honor
The Annual Good Neighborhood Event brought together an even bigger group of leaders on Saturday, June 8 as we gather at the ARC. Each year, staff and participants in each of the CLC programs picks a community member who has gone above and beyond to help their neighbors and provide leadership to the community. We are pleased to present this year’s list of honorees. They include:
- Mary Crenshaw, Bayview
- Deb Padilla, Cayuga Community Connectors
- Esselene Stancil, Computers & Access
Marlene Olivencia , Inner Sunset Community Connectors - Reiko Hatakayama, Merced Extension Triangle Community Connectors
- Evernease Cook, Midtown Terrace Community Connectors
- Guido Van Rijn, Miraloma Community Connectors
- Leroy Lindo, OMI Food Network
- Judy Goddess, Community Catalyst
- Rose Sharkey, St. Francis Square Network
- Alice Guidry, Sunnyside Community Connectors
- Michael S. Silver, Vision & Hearing Program
- Robin Evans, SF ReServe / Senior Beat
See these and other “good neighbors” in the photo album below.
[Not a valid template]Dignity Fund Mayoral Forum Highlights Key Issues
The Dignity Fund Coalition invited Mayor London Breed back for a follow-up conversations about issues raised and promises made at their May Candidates Forum. Yomi Wrong returned for another successful term as Forum moderator. She helped keep the conversation focused on a range of key questions. These questions, drawn from the 100’s submitted at the Candidates Forum, sought to keep the Mayor focused. So the conversation zeroed in on her efforts on expanding affordable housing, address homelessness and preparing increasing long term care services would make life better for the City’s older adults and adults with disabilities. Coalition members and key community leaders filled the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Main Library and the event was once again live streamed, with the help of SF GovTV. You can now view on SF Gov TC.
Hope you enjoy some of the pictures below from the Forum and stay tuned for what’s next.
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CLC Board and Staff Haunt Office for Halloween
Current and former staff and board gathered for a fun Halloween party. The office was transformed with an incredible collection of decorations from Marie, Peter and Kate, all fans of this special holiday. Enjoy figuring out who’s who with some great costumes.
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Breast Cancer Support Pink Luncheon 2018
Breast Cancer Groups Celebrate
On Oct. 11, the Breast Cancer Group of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, and the Bayview Imani Breast Cancer Support Group held their annual celebration luncheon.
Though African-American and white women are diagnosed with breast cancer at roughly the same rate, African-American women are 42 percent more likely to die from the disease. There seem to be several reasons for this: African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease, and experience delays in treatment. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with a triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that is linked to poorer survival.
The OMI breast cancer group meets the third Thursday of the month, from 11 a.m.– noon. The group takes on different projects – murals, paintings and placemats – some of which were on display at the church. Their primary task, explained Barbara Tate, program director at the LCOS, is supporting one another and the newly diagnosed. “When we hear of someone who’s been newly diagnosed, we try to visit and talk with them. We go with them to the doctor if they want us to do that. We listen to their story and tell our own. Whatever the person wants, we’re available.”
October 11, however, was a day to greet old friends, enjoy good food, celebrate and listen to inspirational speeches from Pastor Evered Cohen of the Lutheran Church and the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ransom-Scott
If you are looking for support or want more information, call Barbara Tate, 415-586-7890.
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2018 Annual Award Event A Wonderful Community Gathering
Our annual award event was filled with warmth and friendship with so many helping us mark our 10-year anniversary and honor this year’s Awardee, Ashley McCumber, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels San Francisco. Enjoy the pictures and plan to join us again next year. Thanks to all event and raffle sponsors and attendees for support. If you missed the party, but would still like to help us move with strength into our next decade, make a donation today.
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Celebrating the ‘Good Neighbors’ Who Build Community Across San Francisco
Gifts from the Neighborhoods: Baskets created by each program and neighborhood were among the prizes for this year’s Good Neighbors.
Neighbors throughout San Francisco are at the heart of creating community. In every CLC program, there are many people who share their time and talents to improve lives of fellow seniors and people with disabilities. These dedicated neighbors who share their lifetime of experience and talents demonstrate just how much better we can make our communities when we create opportunities for everyone to contribute.
Each year, CLC hosts a citywide “Good Neighbor” party to thank these neighborhood volunteers for their countless contributions and to honor those in their midst who inspire others in CLC’s neighborhoods and programs.
The afternoon included great food from Mission Language and Vocational School, appetizers from our own Lizette Martinez, and homemade strawberry shortcake from our own Kate Kuckro. Folks also enjoyed a CLC Trivia game, a free prize drawing of themed basics from the different neighborhoods and projects, and fun photos. As one neighbor said, “we come from the north and the south, the east and the west and we join together to learn from one another.”
Honoring Outstanding Neighborhood Volunteers
This year’s Good Neighbor honorees – all seniors or people with disabilities themselves – have contributed in a wide range of ways. But across the board, all are quick to offer help in whatever ways they can. The Honorees help with computers, offer rides, share garden cuttings, host gatherings around the piano, organize neighbors, pack groceries, offer hearing screenings, and reach out to local businesses.
This year’s Good Neighbor Awards go to…
A Reservoir of Talent: Good Neighbor Honorees share their time and skills to improve their communities.
- Carmelita Lozano, Cayuga Connectors
- Nan Park, St. Francis Square Network
- Ruth Dark, Bayview Food Network/Connectors
- Carolyn Taylor , OMI Food Network
- Victor Lam, Computers & Access
- Steven Lopez & N. California Hearing & Speech Center, Vision & Hearing
- Brenda Billings, Events
- Marc Christensen, Merced Extension Triangle Community Connectors
These special neighbors will be honored again at CLC’s 10 year anniversary event on September 20th.
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