Community Living Campaign

Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.

Cultivating connections to help seniors and people with disabilities age and thrive at home.

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Meet our Director of Neighborhood Networks, Lauren

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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!”

Wanting Deeper Connections

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.”

Part of Something Bigger

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!

 

Bridging the Digital Divide in Unique Ways

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The need for more accessible and affordable technology to connect seniors and people with disabilities doesn’t end when the state officially opens.

Just because everyone is no longer sheltering in place doesn’t mean people — especially in underserved communities — don’t struggle with a lack of digital access, digital literacy, or tech support that have become so fundamental to our connected lives.

That’s why Community Living Campaign has partnered with the San Francisco Tech Council to regrant $50,000 in Equity and Innovation funding from Metta Fund to five community-based organizations that work to close the digital divide. We want to accelerate that work to decrease social isolation and improve wellness.

“We’re giving an opportunity to organizations that don’t have access to other funding so they can pilot ways to reduce social isolation and loneliness through tech access,” said Margot Rose Lederer, the equity and innovation pilot coordinator for the SF Tech Council.

“The pandemic was not all that different for some isolated seniors or adults with mobility challenges or who didn’t have access to transportation,” she said. “They always needed ways to connect to the world around them. It’s hard for them to attend things in person anyway, and that isn’t about to change.”

The whole grant process has also highlighted the need for multi-lingual tech training, so we’ve encouraged and supported groups that offer that.

Here are the organizations that received the grants.

Curry Senior Center

This group is funding Vietnamese-language digital literacy and tech training by lending tablets. This project focuses on the Tenderloin neighborhood, while the group also seeks to serve the LGBT community.

They’re providing tablets, training support and internet connectivity. They’re also expanding their digital resource programs for seniors.

Family Caregiver Alliance

They’re providing tablets, in-home support and internet connectivity for six months to Spanish-speaking caregivers. The goal is to improve health outcomes for the client as well as enable more professional learning and support for the caregivers. Caregivers have become especially isolated during the pandemic without the benefit of in-person and direct support.

“This group has struggled more with shifting to Zoom, in part because of their lack of tech,” Margot said. “Family caregivers also suffer from isolation and exhaustion due to the 24/7 nature of their roles.”

Felton Institute

“The focus here is on improving connectivity and access to health services for an often transient population,” Margot said. “That’s a challenge because it’s hard to keep in touch with people who move more than most.”

The Institute specializes in helping people with behavioral health challenges throughout the city; it’s in a good position to help this population.

Mission Neighborhood Center

This grant focuses on a small group of LatinX, Spanish-speaking seniors in the Mission District, partnering with health providers to improve wellness and fitness.

This group had exercise classes and health screenings before the pandemic. The grant enables them to integrate digital devices, like Fitbit step trackers. That lets individuals monitor themselves and keep up with their activities, Margot said.

Televisit

This nonprofit tech organization customizes tablets to make them simpler to use, targeting Chinese seniors. They’re also providing in-home support and internet connectivity. That makes it easier to participate in social activities and connect with family.

In particular, the tablets are designed for those with cognitive decline and linguistic, cultural and personal limitations.

Since receiving funding, this group has also incorporated classes on racism. The rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has increased the tension and fear, especially in the senior community.

“In these pilots, we’ve enabled groups to innovate and iterate as the project progresses if they see an additional service they can contribute,” Margot said.

 

To find out more about the SF Tech Council, visit their website.

Learn more about other ways CLC helps people connect through technology, read this.

Connecting Neighbors with Tech Devices

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Church activities. Seeing your family, especially grandchildren. Spending time with friends. Taking exercise classes. Staying mentally active with community college classes. The list of reasons that neighbors want to use technology goes on and on.

That’s why we’re loaning devices like laptops and tablets to seniors over 60 and adults with disabilities who live in San Francisco.

“As active as I am in church and other activities I do, I need to know this,” said Dorothy Cook, who recently received a device. “It’s a need, not a want.”

She also runs a nonprofit preserving gospel music, but that hasn’t been working at all because she needs to learn technology better, she said. She’s also like to be better able to continue teaching children at church and get back to being more active with other nonprofits in her community.

Community Living Campaign’s Neighborhood Tech Connect program also offers training — not just the devices.

Help is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese via virtual help desks and classes as well as individually scheduled sessions.

Everything on Zoom

For Norma Block, one of her main tech challenges was not knowing how to do everything on Zoom or erase old emails.

But with her new laptop and some training, she now feels able to participate in Zoom classes offered by CLC, keeping up with email and Googling information.

“I also enjoy feeling connected to a city college literature classes and a Tibetan Buddhist organization which I belong to.”

Tech Training Classes

“I was trained by Peter Karpathakis once and found him to be kind, patient, articulate and encouraging,” Norma said.

Peter, the program manager of Neighborhood Tech Connect, and some of the other trainers go out of their way to help, said Dorothy, the church-going, gospel-loving participant.

For her, sometimes the classes have been a little too advanced for her understanding of the technology. But Liz Dunlap and Peter “have been very patient and go slow enough that I can learn. I like that they say there are no stupid questions.”

Getting these devices opens up a whole new world for some people, said Bethany Schwarz, the NTC Device and Access Project Director.

“Many seniors have watched others in the home, like their grandchildren or spouse, use technology throughout the pandemic to talk to people, play games, or watch cooking videos,” she said. “When I tell them they can get their OWN device, just for themselves to use, it’s as if, suddenly, a whole world has opened up around them. They get to imagine all the things they will be able to do. ‘I can take my exercise class? Will I be able to see my grandbaby?’

“It lights up my day to tell them, ‘Yes, you can do that. Yes! You can do that too!’”

Besides the devices and training, CLC can also help if your Internet connection is unreliable. We help participants determine the services needed and assist in applying for free or low-cost Internet service.

 

To find our upcoming tech classes in various languages, click here.

To learn more and see if you’re eligible, contact us at tech@sfcommunityliving.org or 415-821-1003, ext. 109.

San Francisco’s Got Talent! And We’re Sharing Some of It

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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:

  • Sign up for the Senior Power weekly newsletter
  • Grab Community Living Campaign’s monthly activity calendar for classes and programs you can enjoy by video or phone
  • Take home brochures on safety and health for seniors, their families and caregivers

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.

How to Enjoy Living Alone in Old Age (Virtual)

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Elena Portacolone, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of California in San Francisco, will reflect on strategies to successfully live alone in older age. Elena will draw from her research on over 100 older adults living alone in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as her study of the Danish health care system. She will also reflect on her personal experiences as an Italian-born immigrant in the United States.

 

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.

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.

Coping with Grief and Loss (Virtual)

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As the Holidays approach during this strangest and most challenging year, our thoughts often turn to both our lost loved ones and the losses in our lives which affect us every day. In addition, this year, the pandemic has added a special layer to our Holiday thoughts, and to our memories.

Our Workshop will explore and acknowledge the many different kinds of losses that we all may experience – personal losses, social and societal losses, and losses that have occurred due to the pandemic. We will examine these in the context of a traditional loss and grief theory. In order to both honor and keep loved ones in our hearts and thoughts, and to live a full, meaningful life, we will explore special rituals, methods, and ideas for keeping our memories living and full, and integrating these in a positive way into our lives today. Please join us!

 


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.

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.

Finding Joy During the Winter Holidays (Virtual)

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We all know that winter and the winter holidays can be a challenge! With the help of Elizabeth Summers, you’ll learn how to:
• Prepare for the dark days of winter
• Combat the winter blues with 10 easy tools
• Deal with limited buying power during the holidays
• Increase family joy by creating personal boundaries
• Build and sustain community
• Break through isolation

 


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.

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.

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep (Virtual)

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Are you having trouble sleeping? Is fear and worry over the pandemic keeping you awake? Good sleep is vital for our health and well-being, now more than ever. We’ll look at some challenges that may prevent us from getting a good night’s sleep and some tips to help us get the sleep that we need.

Nancy Smietana has over 5 years experience as a Master Trainer and Facilitator leading workshops for those with chronic health conditions. She is a passionate believer in self-managing and empowering ourselves to take charge of our health.

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.

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.

Reducing Barriers for Those with Vision and Hearing Loss

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United Way of the Bay Area’s Francis Goldsmith Fund has helped CLC Vision and Hearing Initiative enrich its work – building community-based and online networks.  The goal is  support for isolated and at-risk seniors and people with disabilities, reducing  the consequences of hearing and vision loss, and helping to ensure that their psychosocial, physical and communication needs are met.

Through our partnerships with the 10 Adult Day Services Centers, assistive aids and equipment were purchased to :(1) provide individual assistance for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities; (2) maintain independent ability to get proper nutrition; (3) rebuild self-confidence through easier access to group socialization activities and (4) computer tutoring; and (5) enhance the safety and mobility to seniors with vision and/or hearing disabilities.

The grant from the Francis Goldsmith Fund enables the Community Living Campaign to showcase assistive technologies and provide training on strategies for living with hearing or vision loss to all of our programs for seniors and people with disabilities. As this work continues, attention is increasingly being given to the development of outcome targets that represent significant changes in the lives of those that benefit.

Over the past year, we have chocked up a solid list of  Initiative accomplishments which support our seniors and persons who experience vision and hearing loss:

Partnership at Adult Day Services (ADS):

 85 seniors served with grant-purchased equipment & devices:

Over 200 Personal Assistive aids and equipment worth over $6,000 through direct requests from the ten Adult Day Services centers’ staff (occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, activities coordinators, directors) for low-income and frail seniors to enhance social engagement, increase independence & reduce isolation and loneliness.

100 seniors and caregivers trained on accessible computers:

In eight ADS centers, 108 seniors have received training and support on accessible desktop computers provided through CLC’s partnership with the Dept. of Aging and Adult Services SF  Connected Program, and on iPads/Tablets with accessibility features and Apps purchased with Goldsmith funding.

12  volunteers and ADS staff members provide volunteer almost 700 hours of computer training in English, Russian, Chinese & Spanish.

Hearing Loss 101 Presentation & Screenings:

In  our Community Connector neighborhoods, we facilitated four Hearing Loss presentations and three hearing screenings.  This resulted in 24 individuals having their hearing tested by the Speech and Hearing Center. Participants also learn about hearing- and vision-related assistive device and strategies that helps seniors remain connected.

Participants in Midtown Terrace Commnity Connector network learn about free specialized phones and mobile phone accessories through the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP).

Emergency Preparedness Focus on Vision & Hearing Loss:

 CLC, in partnership with Community Youth Center-SF (CYC-SF) held our first Emergency Preparedness Academy with CLC staff and Community Connectors. We completed 4 courses in personal preparedness at home, traveling or at work, response and recovery during and after a catastrophic disaster and fire safety and basic first aid. These sessions were made possible through funding from the Department of Building Inspection’s Seismic Safety Outreach Program (SSOP) 

In the fall of 2018, a class of seniors from IT Bookman Senior Center in the OMI neighborhood attended the Emergency Preparedness Academy. Graduates received Emergency Preparedness bags (“Go Bags”) and certificates of completion.

If you would like more information about the program and how it could come to your neighborhood, please contact Sherri Sawyer, Program Director, at sherri@sfcommunityliving.org or by calling (415) 821-1003 ex. 111