Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.
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.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.
For the past three years, Spring has ushered in the pen pal project at the San Francisco Friends School. It’s the time when 5th graders write letters to seniors attending CLCs community connectors programs. The students share tales of their travels, hobbies, favorite books (some surprisingly sophisticated) and families (pesky younger siblings are common). Then, like all good letter writers they ask questions.
Barbara Fugate from the Cayuga Community Connectors eagerly anticipates the childrens’ letters. She’s so eager, she usually answers letters from three or four students. “I write them back immediately. You never know when you might influence someone, and it’s good to hear what the kids are thinking. Anything that gets kids to read makes me happy.”
Later, we visit the school to tell their stories. Then, sometime in May, we return to see the short skits the students developed from our stories. “I told them about the ghost that lived in a house I rented. That made a good skit – sound effects and all,” Barbara said.
This year, of course, the coronavirus disrupted those plans. The visiting part of the program never happened. Nonetheless, many of us still made new friends. A young woman turned me on to “The Giver” by Lois Lowery; another shared that she had been reading “Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl” and I remembered how I felt when I finished that book.
Jono Gay, who turns 11 in June, and I talked for this story. Jono is an experienced pen pal, having participated in a pen pal program at his other school and occasionally writing his grandfather in Orange County. Jono decided to challenge himself by using an online translation program to write his letter in Chinese and English. Barbara hasn’t received his letter yet, but she’s excited to reply.
This year, knowing that seniors would be home for a very long time and wanting to cheer them up, Caren Andrews, the art teacher for the younger students asked the students in grades kindergarten – 4th to send a drawing to a senior. They had been “studying maps at school before SIP…that is why so many maps arrived with your mailing,” she explained.
For us, said Guybe Slangen, the SFFS Director of Community Engagement, it’s all about “care, connection, and community. They are opportunities for connections where we can show care to learn more about and share with others.”
Those values also hold true for their senior pals.
The Inner Sunset Community Connector Networks gathered on December 23rd to share food, conversation and a lively raffle. Community Connector Marina Lazzara with her daughter and friends as a back-up crew, help make for a lovely party after the regular Always Active Exercise class. Special thanks to Judy Goddess and other leaders in this community for make this past year such a success. This includes local leaders who have offered to provide a 100% match to donations up to $10,000. You can help by visiting this link and making a donation.
And enjoy some of the pictures from the party!
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…
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.
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.
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:
See these and other “good neighbors” in the photo album below.
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.
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.”
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.
These special neighbors will be honored again at CLC’s 10 year anniversary event on September 20th.
