basis. The contact helps ensure older adults are not experiencing emergencies and get to hear the same friendly voices,” says Holmes. Both Catholic Charities programs rely on volunteers. “Many of our volunteers are seniors as well. Getting involved to help people in their age bracket in the community gives them a sense of purpose and engagement,” says Holmes. The importance of education Educational workshops and classes offer chances to learn new information and discuss it with others. This is typically a sure bet to draw older adults. There are multiple programs in the North Bay that provide such opportunities, from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Sonoma State University to activities offered by Village Network’s different groups.
The Emeritus Students College of Marin (ESCOM) provides an avenue for active adults to connect through approximately over 20 free clubs that meet at College of Marin’s Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses. Some clubs also meet online, says Leonard Weingarten, vice president of the ESCOM Council, the governing body for ESCOM. “As of fall 2024, we have about 3,100 members. We partner with outside organizations such as Book Passage in Corte Madera to invite authors and distinguished leaders for talks. We also work with the Marin Commission on Aging, which is associated with Marin County’s Health and Human Services Department, to offer free computer and technology-oriented workshops,” says Weingarten. ESCOM makes it possible for older adults to support College of Marin’s students by sharing their time, experience and commitment. “Members of our clubs who have a background in business have given talks to share their knowledge with College of Marin students. Other ESCOM members have helped students who [speak] English as a second language practice their interviewing and networking skills,” says Weingarten. Santa Rosa Junior College’s (SRJC’s) Lifelong Learning program, formerly the Older Adults program, connects seniors through a wide variety of free, non-credit courses. “In fall 2024, community members could sign up for 96 classes. We had about 2,900 enrolled. Some classes are online, but many are in-person. Most of the classes focus on art, writing, genealogy, fitness and discussions of topics like current events,” says Kelly Mayes, coordinator of SRJC’s Lifelong Learning program. Some classes focus on new topics, like LGBTQIA+ history, vinyl classics—which involves listening and discussing classic records—and banned books, which involves reading and discussing controversial books. Classes for adults can also take place in libraries. The Sonoma County Library engages many older adults through virtual and in-person book clubs, author talks, genealogy and history presentations and educational workshops with third parties such as the League of Women Voters.
Ken Dychtwald, founder and CEO of Age Wave, an Orinda-based company that focuses on aging, answers questions about his latest book, ‘Radical Curiosity,’ at the 50th anniversary celebration for the Emeritus Students College of Marin in 2023. [Photo by Rob Martel]
Angwin and Pope Valley. “There is no senior center in Calistoga. That’s part of the reason we offer services in that city,” says Ocon. “The City of Calistoga provides us with some funding in recognition of the need for services to be provided locally.” In mountainous areas, outreach depends on word of mouth. “Community members often refer neighbors to us,” says Lupe Maldonado, program director for the Family and Senior Wellness Program of UpValley Family Centers. “We partner with everyone, from schools who serve as distribution sites for gift card distribution during disasters to local food banks who distribute resources to people in need. That helps us learn which older adults may want to come to our programs,” It usually takes time and positive experiences to build trust. UpValley welcomes Spanish-preferring clients by sharing information in Spanish language printed materials and having bilingual staff at events. “Yet often getting older adults to come back is about offering resources that they need, like vouchers for rental assistance or rides for doctor’s appointments, right in their community and from someone [with whom] they’ve built a relationship,” says Ocon. Since there is no public transportation in the mountainous areas, roundtrips to St. Helena and Calistoga are very welcome. Free rides and a bit of socialization is also the aim of Caring Rides, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa that serves Santa Rosa residents. This program aims to help seniors stay active and feel engaged and connected to their community. Jennielynn Holmes, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, says Caring Rides helps prevent isolation and ensure seniors are present for important medical appointments. She says approximately 22% of Catholic Charities’ clients are over 60. “We also run another program called Caring Voices (CV) in Sonoma County. CV involves volunteers calling homebound seniors on a daily
24 NorthBaybiz
February 2025
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