Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.
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.
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.Join Peter and Simon to get help with your cell phone, tablet, or computer. You can call in by phone, or you can join by video, which allows us to show you on the screen what to do!
To join by phone, dial 888-475-4499 (toll free) or 669-900-6833 (local).
Enter Meeting ID: 865 6747 4200, then press # twice.
To join with video, click this link: https://form.jotform.com/sfcommunityliving/tech-registration to register and join. Wait in the “waiting room” until the activity is ready to start.
To create a friendly environment and minimize interruptions, we will close the activity to new participants 15 minutes after the start time.
The above link will work on your tablet or your computer. You’ll be prompted to download a Zoom app the first time you use Zoom. If you’re using a PC or Mac, you can join from your web browser without using the Zoom software.
If you live in the Cayuga neighborhood, you may have already met Community Living Campaign’s Director of Neighborhood Networks, Lauren Bactad.
If not, you want to get to know her!
In the few months she’s been with us, Lauren said what’s surprised her most was how engaged and active our senior communities are.
“The outpouring of support between neighbors is heartwarming, as is the dedication felt from the staff,” she said.
For example, she needed a volunteer to help a community member and so many people were happy to raise their hand to help their neighbor.
“That’s what it’s all about — a core part of our mission — and that’s exactly what’s happening,” she added. “It’s such an exciting experience, to see that in action!”
Before joining our team, Lauren served at the YMCA of San Francisco. But when the pandemic hit, she — like many people — took the opportunity to reflect on her life. She realized that in her career, she wanted to help community members more directly, more hands-on. CLC was a great fit!
One of her favorite weekly responsibilities is delivering food from Project Open Hand to the Cayuga community.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to fight food insecurity during the pandemic but, it’s also a chance to connect with folks in the community,” Lauren said. “Each stop is filled with connection, stories, and seeing how people are doing. Building those relationships is so fulfilling.”
We all know CLC has lots of fun, light-hearted activities to allow participants to get to know others, build relationships, get some exercise and learn new things. Beyond that, Lauren appreciates that we also stand for important causes and support equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the City.
The recent Asian American Pacific Islander rally on the Great Highway stands out as a great example of that, she said.
“It was memorable to have experienced that important cause with team members,” Lauren said. “We’re all there to reach out to seniors and do good. Our team rallies together for great causes and supports each other endlessly.”
Want to see more of what our Community Connectors are up to? Join the CLC Facebook group here!
Resiliency is buoyancy. It’s like those buoys you see off the coast, battered by powerful waves in storms, but they just don’t sink. They stay afloat. And they signal to others the line between safety and danger.
Resiliency is one of the qualities we’ve come to admire and appreciate so acutely in the last year. As May is Older Americans Month, we’re spotlighting a couple of Community Living Campaign staff members who have done a great job of demonstrating strength and resilience and what that means.
Nicky Trasvina, one of our Community Connectors, felt that some of the best examples of resiliency are the often unseen, underappreciated essential workers. They continued to step up and keep San Francisco running while most of us were able to shelter in place.
Another great example of resiliency are community leaders, like the handful in the Mission who provided food to about 3,000 families each week.
“This continues as an amazing, tremendous undertaking by local leaders in that community, including Roberto Hernandez, Valerie Tolier, Tracy Brown, Ray Ponce and others,” Nicky said. “They created the space and tapped all their resources to get hundreds of pounds of food donated each week. It was such an abundance of food that would have otherwise gone to waste.”
She’s grateful for the opportunity to play a part in the operation, picking up leftover food supplies from donors to be distributed by other volunteers.
Nicky also sought ways to help neighbors and friends in small ways, like bringing them things they needed.
Acting generously also relieved some of the feelings of helplessness so many of us felt. So she also gave financially to some organizations she cares about, following the old adage to “put your money where your mouth is!”
And through it all, one of her primary sources of strength has been prayer.
“Depending on prayer gives me a lot of strength,” Nicky said. “And I think this helps others. I think people appreciate it when they know someone is praying for them. So when I say I’m going to pray for you, I just stop and say the prayer right then.”
She’s also found more connection by reaching out to old friends, neighbors and former students since she was a college adviser. And not just by phone and text.
“It’s not unusual to find me standing out in my front yard talking to people who go by,” Nicky said. “I feel it’s part of my role in getting our neighbors connected. And it’s fun! I’m like the stereotypical old lady looking out through her blinds watching everything, but people like it!”
Read another profile of our Community Connector Laura Atkins.
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:
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.
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.
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.
It’s worth taking a moment to celebrate just how resilient we’ve been in the last year. This is a key quality at healthy aging and thriving in life, and we’ve all been tested by COVID-19.
As May is Older Americans Month, we’re spotlighting a couple of our staff members who have done a great job of demonstrating strength and resilience and what that means.
“For me, resilience means having inner confidence and a belief in myself,” said Laura Atkins, our METCC Community Connector. “It means being able to adapt to changing circumstances, knowing where to find resources and being willing to ask for help and offer help.”
There are plenty of ways we’ve seen that play out since the pandemic made us all shelter in place. The business community adapted by offering more take-out and delivery services, she noted. Some restaurants even offering drinks to go!
All the participants in Community Living Campaign’s activities on Zoom also deserve applause. They embraced the often awkward and unfamiliar experience of trying a new way to be part of exercise classes, musical performances and art programs.
Indeed, that exercise is part of what Laura says has helped her feel strong through this period.
“Keeping to a healthy lifestyle as much as possible — eating well, exercising and spending time with friends and family — is a big part of how I continue to feel strong and resilient,” she said.
“I’ve also been pushing myself physically by walking up the hills and stairs of Bernal Hill and meeting with friends outside to swim at Aquatic Park. That helps support my mental strength as well and keeping a positive mindset.”
Laura also helps others stay connected to each other by co-hosting an ongoing program we named — appropriately — Community Tales!
Beyond CLC, she helps support others to feel strong and resilient by calling and writing cards and then listening. We all need to feel heard.
A fun tradition she’s formed is having Zoom dinners with friends.
“One of my best friends and I turn on Zoom while cooking, talk and then sit down to share the same dinner we each made separately.”
Throughout it all, she’s actually been able to reconnect with some old friends and has seen those friendships get stronger.
“I’ve also been able to build connections with new friends, particularly in the CLC neighborhood,” Laura said. “My walking area has grown as well. I now walk (masked) with a new friend in the METCC neighborhood. Big hills and walking friends are found all over San Francisco.”
Read another profile of our Community Connector Nicky Trasvina.
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.
Come see, enjoy and learn the hobbies, talents and interests of your senior neighbors, families and friends!
Our partner, Senior Power, is proud to host a free community event soon! We’ll be presenting some of the talents of our active and engaged seniors, including watercolors by James, succulents by Les, and poetry and stories by Mary Gayle. 
So many of us are excited about being able to see each other in person again. This is one way we feel neighbors can gather in a way that’s still safe for everyone.
Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Time: 9:00 – 1:00
Location: Sunset Wellness Mercantile, on 37th Ave. between Ortega & Pacheco.
Safety protocols: This event will be held outdoors, in a tent, and abide by all local safety measures (masks, physical distancing, etc.)
Drop-in any time and say hello!
While there, we invite you to:
For future events, 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 — contact M. Graf for more info: opoygan1@yahoo.com.
For more fun activities and ways to get to know your neighbors, take a look at our calendar of events here.
Popular independent art lecturer Avril Angevine will join Rodney Paul to discuss the life and art of Mexican artist Diego Rivera. In his American murals, Rivera achieved an incongruous synthesis between a reverence for the indigenous cultures of his native land and an appreciation of the American industrial modernity of Detroit’s automobile factories. Overshadowed today by his wife Frida Kahlo, Rivera was a prodigious talent whose commitment to art as a political act resonates today. He didn’t believe in God, he said, but he did believe in Picasso.
Rivera and Kahlo spent significant time in the Bay Area, and his Pan American Unity mural was created here in 1940 and has been displayed for many years at City College. It will be moved to SFMOMA soon, where it will be on view in a free section of the museum before being moved back to a newly renovated site at the College.
Image: Diego Rivera, Pan American Unity Mural
HOW TO JOIN THE CLASS:
To join by phone, dial 888-475-4499 (toll-free) or 669-900-6833 (local).
Enter Meeting ID: 865 6747 4200, then press # twice.
To join with video, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/86567474200 to register and join. Wait in the “waiting room” until the activity is ready to start.
To create a friendly environment and minimize interruptions, we will close the activity to new participants 15 minutes after the start time.
