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Fighting For Our Future in San Francisco
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Time to Tell City Leaders - We Need Their Support!
Senior and Disability Budget Rally
Thursday, May 5, 1:00 p.m.
(note later start time)
Carlton B. Goodlett Steps of City Hall
Seating available
T
he rally
will highlight the need for:
- Case managers and social workers for the most at risk
- Job opportunities for low-income seniors and people with disabilities
- Added computer training at community labs and for homebound seniors
- Housing for homeless seniors with serious medical conditions
- Transportation for the "frailest of the frail" to Adult Day Programs
This time of year, we could always count on
Vera Haile
to speak out on how the City was not doing enough to help the growing number of low income seniors and adults with disabilities - now 25% of all San Francisco residents.
So now it is up to us to carry on Vera's legacy and speak up for ourselves and for our neighbors and friends.
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Signs Are Everywhere - Are Leaders Paying Attention?
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Last month, our newsletter featured links to
Department of Aging and Adult Services
Needs A
ssessment, which provides a wealth of information about the
State of the City as it relates to the well-being of seniors and adults with disabilities.
At the April meeting of the Long Term Care Coordinating
Council, Joann Handy from LeadingAge posed the question -
Are We Headed for a Perfect Storm?
(
download her Powerpoint presentation here
).
Elsewhere, we read headlines like these...
Poverty Rate Jumps Among California Seniors.
The number of seniors and people with disabilities is growing and we are getting poorer as compared to the rest of the San Francisco's population.
Time for the Dignity Fund Campaign...
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The Dignity Fund Is Coming
Over the coming months, you will hear more about the Dignity Fund, a proposed charter amendment to be introduced at the Board of Supervisors this month and headed to the November 8th ballot.
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Ovation for Last Men Standing - Aging with HIV
The premier showing of Last Men Standing filled the Castro Theater brought rounds of applause for Chronicle reporter
Erin Allday, videographers Erin Brethauer and Tim Hussin who documented the experience of eight men - survivors of the AIDS epidemic. These survivors, who appeared on stage after the showing, reflect the struggles taking place across San Francisco and the country as people continue fighting for their lives.
Allday's in-depth feature appeared in print March 6th and is online at
sfchron.cl/survivingAIDS
.
One more reason the City needs to do more to respond with the compassion and wisdom needed to serve its residents with health and disability issues.
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Upcoming Events and Activities
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Comcast Helps Low Income Seniors to Connect
Comcast, with the help of CLC and other SF Connected Partners, is hosting a special Internet Essentials sign-up event for low income seniors (62+) on
Thursday, May 6 from 1:00 to 4:00 at Valencia Gardens, 390 Valencia Street.
Those who sign-up will get home Internet access at $9.95 per month, and are eligible to win one of 10 free laptops or 6 months free internet. Learn more about the Internet Essentials Program for Seniors at
internetessentials.com/seniors
then come on Thursday to enjoy snacks, music, and get help in signing up.
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ILRCSF Hosts Safe Streets Event!
Are you a San Franciscan with a disability who wants to get involved in making the streets safer for everyone?
Join ILRC for a personal safety workshop to develop safety skills while on foot or using a wheelchair or other mobility device. Participants have the opportunity to identify and voice safety concerns during a neighborhood tour of the South of Market neighborhood. Lunch will be provided. Participants receive a gift card, and safety items such as: reflective safety vest, high visibility tote bag, safety whistle with lanyard, and other safety related items.
When:
Tuesday, May 10, 10:00 to 3:00
Where: ILRCSF - 825 Howard Street, San Francisco
Please contact Fiona Hinze at 415-543-6222 or Fiona@ilrcsf.org to RSVP or to request more information or a reasonable accommodation.
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Connections for Health Aging Upcoming Sessions
The CHA Team continue to take their engaging and empowering training to partner
groups throughout San Francisco.
The next 4-part series will be in partnership with San Francisco Village starting May 12th.
SF Village members, contact
(415) 387-1375 or info@sfvillage.org for more information.
Workshop trainers include Marcia Peterzell, Linda Silver, CLC Connectors & other guests. Lunch is included.
To bring the Connections for Healthy Aging Team to your neighborhood for a workshop, contact Marcia Peterzell at (415) 359-1816.
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CLC Special Award Event September 22, 5:30 to 8:00
Save the Date to join us in honoring
Dr. Patrick Arbore with the Norma Satten Community Services Award
Thursday, September 22
5:30 to 8:00 pm
Marines
Memorial Club 609 Sutter Street
For more details, including sponsorship information, call event organizer Judy Auda at (415) 826-3194.
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Pre-Application List for Section 8 Vouchers Opened
The San Francisco Housing Authority will take pre-applications for random selection placement on the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Site-Based Waiting Lists starting today - Tuesday, May 3 until Wednesday, May 18 at 11:59 pm!
The Project Based Voucher Program attaches Section 8 rental assistance to privately owned units. Participating in this program opens up more living options and speeds up the process for applicants. Plus, you can sign up for as many available lists as you are eligible to apply for! Please share with your friends!
Note - they are only taking applications on-line.
Learn More Here
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Connectors Build Communities & Friendships
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Event Honors "Good Neighbors" Who
Create Connections & Reduce Isolation
On Saturday, CLC hosted our first even Good Neighbor Block Party to thank the many neighbors and community-members who are creating the connections seniors and people with disabilities need to age and thrive in their own neighborhoods.
The
event thanked neighbors connected to CLC
programs across San Francisco, and also honored seven neighborhood volunteers whose efforts who go way beyond what is expected and are role models for what it means to be a good neighbor. The honorees included:
Vernice Ross - Bayview Food Network
Mel Noguerra - Cayuga Community Connectors
Jim Stevens - Computer Training & Access
Donna Wilmott - Connections for Healthy Aging
Paul Hendrickson - Laguna Honda Computer Club
Ned Reese - OMI/Parkmerced Food Network
Jimmye Bynum - St. Francis Square
We are so grateful for all of their contributions to cultivating connections their communities For more photos please see our Facebook page. Stay tuned for more stories about some of the amazing contributions these volunteers have made in their neighborhoods.
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Can Technology in the Hands of Senior Ambassadors Help Increase Food Security?
McCrea Parker of ZeroDivide hosted a couple of focus groups in the OMI community with providers, seniors and care givers looking at how technology might be a tool to increase access to healthy food and provide a way to assure no senior or adult with disabilty goes hungry in their community.
The 6 month project, made possible with a catalyst grant from the San Francisco Tech Council, hopes to lead the way to a less hunger and more connections in their neighborhood, which is an official "food desert".
ZeroDivide also provided a great resource sheet about , linked here.
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A Leader Who Cleared the Way for Others
Carla Johnson, Director of the Mayor's Office of Disability, was honored by the Board of Supervisors and many of her colleagues in April as she moves into retirement.
Shireen McSpadden said it well - "she approaches everyone she meets with warmth, honesty, kindness, and true respect. She is a superb listener who makes those around her feel comfortable and at ease. Her geniality belies the heart and soul of a true advocate, a person who never loses sight of the fact that full access for people with disabilities is not yet a reality." Thank You, Carla!
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Aging & Disability Services Hub Open for Business
The Grand Opening on April 13th brought interested staff and community members to the new site at
2 Gough (at Otis).
Visit the hub to learn if you are eligible for benefits, including Veterans and Disability Benefits.
For more information, call the DAAS Hub call: 415-355-6700.
And congratulations to Shireen McSpadden (pictured speaking below left) who Mayor Ed Lee named the new Executive Director of the Dept. of Aging and Adult Services.
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Computer Classes and Connectivity
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SF Tech Council Launches New Website
Community Living Campaign has successfully competed for renewed funding to continue to staff and to support the San Francisco Tech Council, with Susan Poor as lead consultant. The Council just launched its accessible website, with the help of MightyMinnow, Marta Lindsey and Kate Kuckro. To learn more, go to
www.sftechcouncil.org.
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Computer Classes and Tutoring Engage
We have a great roster of classes, tutoring opportunities and presentations. This month's topics include writing resumes, Photoshop, cyber security, brain health
& more.
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